My
BX1800 was 100% submerged when Katrina hit and destroyed our home. The tractor was only 2 yrs old 100 hrs. No insurance on the tractor. It sat for 4 days flooded out. Fortunately it was only under water for about 1 hr then the water subsided. I was desperate to get the tractor running due to having to clean the downed trees preventing us from getting into our home. I drained all the fuel, oil and hoped the transmission was tight sealed. The engine did not freeze up and I used a bar to turn it slowly by hand until it would make a 360. Gauges were definitely not water proof as being under water all had water. The intake manifold was full of water and I used a wet vac to pull the water out. NO attempt was made to spin it over until the engine turned over with no binding. Unfortunately due to location there was no dealership within 100 miles for me to get parts and the tractor HAD to run. I put 3 gals of diesel and tried to crank. The starter would not turn. The hammer wrench was gently applied and the starter engaged and began to spin the engine. I did the unthinkable. after it was spinning over but not starting I poured directly into open intake about 1 table spoon of diesel. (OK not a good thing for rods and heads but remember this was a desperate time).
Finally the engine fired and ran. IT ran about 2 minutes then began to blow white smoke and died. Thought I blew the head gasket. I pulled the filters and had nothing to replace them so I went direct by pass with copper tube. All the filters were out, fuel and air. (yes I did fill with new engine oil)
I had forgot about the fuel recycle to the tank. When I drained the tank there was still water in the return line. Another 2 hrs went by and I had it flushed and running. Then it began to miss. Now I am thinking trash in a injector. Remember I have no parts supply and we had national guard curfew.
Finally the engine hit on all cylinders and ran well. It was 2 weeks before I could get filters. I was forced to run the tractor about 25 hrs with no filters. Later after the the home was rebuilt I pulled the 4wd, hydrostatic transmission for fluid change. Then I pulled the starter to disassemble and clean. You really dont' want to know what was in it. So you folks are right .. It isn't water proof and water will prevent it from starting. Hopefully you NEVER have to work on the items I had. My F150 truck was next to the tractor and it was also flooded to the top of the air cleaner. I was able to salvage it also as It had no flood coverage on either.
After 5 years and another 125 hrs the tractor still is running all origional parts exclusive of ps hoses and a loader hose. I wish you guys the best. This is my first time on this site and if I can be of any help I will be glad to do so.
Dont' know how long the tractor will last but my guess is due to the TLC it got after being fully submerged it will out last me.
vettdvr way down south.
