Looking for help with an 855

[jaybrad]

Update: Looks like the engine has given up the ghost. Now the dilemma is whether to rebuild/replace this engine, or look for a new(er) tractor?

Waiting for an estimate from the dealer. Any idea what it costs to put a new engine in this old tractor?

Thanks.

 

[jd110]

What is the problem with the engine? Has it gotten worse since your last post? Has compression and injectors been tested? I assume the filters made no difference. If you really do need engine work, it can be very expensive. Unfortunately, complete engines are not available anymore. Short blocks are available for somewhere around $3500.00. You still would need the cylinder head reconditioned at a machine shop and that could cost several hundred more. If your cylinder block and crankshaft are still good, It would probably be cheaper to bore the block and install oversized pistons. Although with today's labor prices you probably wouldn't save much. Since al this is so expensive, be sure the engine is shot before you invest in overhaul.

 

[jaybrad]

I'm a little sketchy on the details, since the tractor belongs to my dad who is my source for details.

The blow-by continued to get worse to the point where he said it was injecting raw fuel into the oil and it sounds to me like now the engine won't run at all.

He was talking about boring the cylinders and putting in oversize pistons, but it sounded like it would take a few days for the dealer to get the time to pull together an estimate.

If he's looking at $5,000 or so to rebuilt this engine, he might do well to see what's out there for a used machine. He has an FEL and MMM for this unit, but also a few 3PH attachements that he could use on another tractor.

Tough call. He has a good sized piece of property and really needs a tractor, but at the same time he's in his 80s and doesn't need it to do as much as in years passed.

 

[dfkrug]

Waiting for an estimate from the dealer. Any idea what it costs to put a new engine in this old tractor?

When I rebuilt my last 955 several years ago, the costs broke down thus:

O/S pistons/rings, $450
head gasket, $65
valve stem seals, $15
boring service/cleaning, $120
my labor, 0

I also bought new engine mounts, since they were broken. It is hard to
find a shop that will do a whole engine teardown/rebuild, and the difference
between bringing in the engine separately, and bringing in the whole tractor
will be huge. This engine is very easy to remove since there is no clutch,
and it sits on top of a full frame.

Even 5 y ago, you could not buy this engine from JD. I did find a dealer who
had a long block in his warehouse, but he wanted $5400 for it.

Don't be stunned if labor to do all this work runs into the thousands.

Good luck.

 

[mfreund]

From your initial description, I would look at a stuck open injector. The bad thing is if it has been run for years like that, washing down the cylinder walls, it could have lead to the rest of the problems (poor compression and blow-by) . If it truly needs a engine I would buy another 855 and use the current one for the attachments and parts.

 

[jaybrad]

I only noticed the smoke a couple months ago, but am thinking that it has been like this for years. We'll see what the dealer says this week, but looking for a used machine makes a lot of sense to me.