John Deere 2040 locked up?

[sjbrunk0]

Guys,

Looking for advice to help me diagnose a problem with my 2040 diesel.

I was clearing snow with it, had been running for about 5 minutes and it just died all of a sudden. It was about 10 degrees out, but the engine was pretty well warmed up. I had over a half tank of diesel in there.

So I cranked a bit and it wouldn't start... then I used starter fluid and it started up again but didn't sound right. You know how diesel engines have a sort of clatter when they're running... well it was like that only quite a bit louder. I left it idling for a couple of minutes and it just pretty much came to a stop.

Now the starter won't budge it. I tried putting a wrench on the PTO to see if I could get a little rotation out of it, but it feels pretty tight. I didn't want to mess up the spline on the PTO so didn't get to crazy with that.

The drive shaft on the front of the engine looks like it goes into a hydraulic pump and it's not easy to get a wrench or anything in there to get a twist on it to see if it's truly locked up.

Any tips or suggestions on where to start to unravel the problem would be much appreciated.

Also if you guys know a reputable tractor repair guy or shop in the Wellsville area I would be interested to get some names to contact.

Thanks,
Scott

 

[Tx Jim]

Did you use the cold weather starting aid to inject starting fluid or spray ether into air cleaner? Sounds as if you've galled a piston/liner.

 

[sjbrunk0]

Yes, on my tractor you squirt the fluid into the little adaptor under the steering wheel like you have shown in the picture. That's what I did.

 

[sjbrunk0]

A few more details...

- After I first started it, it seemed ok long enough to back it out of the shed and take a couple passes at the driveway.
- the oil looks good, I changed it last spring and it doesn't look cloudy or anything like that.
- I am in wellsville, ks

 

[Tx Jim]

The cold weather starting aid has an orifice installed to limit amount of ether dispensed to engine. You could try to acquire a engine turning tool. Flywheel ring gear is accessed through hole in housing covered by parts key #5. I'm guessing that you'll end up pulling cyl head.

 

[sjbrunk0]

Thank you so much Jim!

I didn't know that thing limited the starting fluid, thanks for explaining.

And thanks for the tip on that access hole. Is an engine turning tool similar to a screwdriver?

Thanks,
Scott

 

[Tx Jim]

The turning tool I referred to has teeth on one end and a hex head on the other end for a wrench(socket)

 

[sjbrunk0]

Ok cool. Thank you!

 

[Zebrafive]

You could try putting it in 8th gear and rocking it while some one watches the front of the crank for movement. Rocking as in a guy on each rear wheel trying to move the tractor, NOT towing it.

 

[Kernopelli]

I had a very similar issue several years ago. I am wondering if you have a rod or main bearing that spun. I was able to diagnose a spun rod bearing by dropping the oil pan and loosening the rod caps one by one and trying to turn the crank. When I got to the rod cap w/ the spun bearing, I was easily able to turn the crank. Same procedure can be used on the main caps as well. It was a relatively quick process.