b7100--talk about reverse air flow!

[gino45]

Started my B7100 today after checking all fluids. Radiator was down at least a pint. Anyway, engine seemed too loud, got down, checked it out. The story is that the exhaust is coming out of the intake manifold, while the muffler was acting as intake. To verify I placed my hand on the air filter housing, and on the muffler intake. Filter housing was hot, while muffler was sucking air and cool.
So I shut it down and am posing the question to y'all. What the @$## is going on? And what to do about it?

 

[Volfandt]

Diesels will run backwards, seen it once also..... Pretty unusual huh?

Can't remember the exact cause but I want to think it had something to do with a backfire when it was turning over causing the engine to spin and run bas-ackwards.
Most starters have an overrunning clutch on the Bendix/drive gear so they won't turn them over in the wrong direction.
Try it again as you probably didn't do any damage but, don't run it too long if it does it again.

 

[Glowplug]

Weird. Learn something new every day here. Keep us posted. You've gotten my curiosity up on this one!

 

[grossgary]

i have nothing to offer except i had no idea that was possible. i've done some extensive automotive work including engine and trans swaps and had no clue. that is awesome, thanks for sharing, i'll know to at least look for this should i ever encounter now that i also own a B7100!

 

[Egon]

I once had a backfire, sorta, on my B7100. Lots of smoke from the intake. It was shut down immediately and has turned the proper way ever since. No explanation as to why???

How many of you folks can remember the make and break engines that could be run in either direction? The track inspector and work crews on railways used to have little rail cars with this type of engine. No transmission. Just come to a stop and change the engine direction. Once when young I got to ride one of these cars from Medicine Hat, Alberta to Swift Current Saskatchewan. That was a very enjoyable trip as was trip back sitting in the cupola of a freight train caboose. Fond memories.

 

[gino45]

Thanks to Volfandt for explaining what this was. Got back to tractor this afternoon, and I spent 10-15 minutes blowing out and wiping down filter and manifold. The little beast started right up and I mowed for an hour. Everything worked great.
Judging from what was said on another thread about this happening with certain Deere tractors,I figure that I caused it by pulling back on the throttle just as it was starting. I always go full choke, which means full throttle, when starting and then I pull back on the throttle as it starts. I hate to high rev a cold engine. Anyway, should this happen again I'll better know how to deal with it.