Mahindra Power Loss - Mahindra 6000 2wd

Rcole · Mar 19, 2018

So this may be long thread but I need help diagnosing a problem and a little backstory may help. I poked a hole in radiator and didn't realize it until tractor overheated (temp gauge not working). Replaced the radiator and all was well.

After about 15 hours on the tractor with a 10' bushhog it suddenly started loosing power and blowing a bit of white smoke. This has happened before and just needed new fuel filters so I replaced filters and while I was at it cleaned the fuel tank and replaced the strainer. I also pulled all the fuel injectors, broke them down and cleaned them. All are misting as they should be. I checked using the screwdriver technique and all seem to be popping when tractor is running. Still no luck.

The tractor starts and idles fine. You can run it up to about 2000 rpms before you start to hear the miss and get some smoke. It will max out at about 2500 rpms.

This got me to thinking blown head gasket or warped head from the overheating. There are no detectable bubbles in the radiator, no leaking coolant, and no discoloration to the oil but at this point I went ahead and replaced the head gasket anyway. Also I checked for warping with a straight edge and could find none, as well as no visible cracks. I did not have the head pressure tested or use any dye detection. Reassembled and still have the same issue.

The smoke coming from the exhaust at high throttle is minimal and almost undetectable - just a bad miss. I also notice at full throttle, while the gauge tops out at 2500 rpms it has a jump in the needle.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks

CincyFlyer · Mar 19, 2018

Have you done a leakdown test on the engine? It will tell you all kinds of things (the condition of the rings, head gasket, valves).

Jerry/MT · Mar 19, 2018

Rcole said:
So this may be long thread but I need help diagnosing a problem and a little backstory may help. I poked a hole in radiator and didn't realize it until tractor overheated (temp gauge not working). Replaced the radiator and all was well.

After about 15 hours on the tractor with a 10' bushhog it suddenly started loosing power and blowing a bit of white smoke. This has happened before and just needed new fuel filters so I replaced filters and while I was at it cleaned the fuel tank and replaced the strainer. I also pulled all the fuel injectors, broke them down and cleaned them. All are misting as they should be. I checked using the screwdriver technique and all seem to be popping when tractor is running. Still no luck.

The tractor starts and idles fine. You can run it up to about 2000 rpms before you start to hear the miss and get some smoke. It will max out at about 2500 rpms.

This got me to thinking blown head gasket or warped head from the overheating. There are no detectable bubbles in the radiator, no leaking coolant, and no discoloration to the oil but at this point I went ahead and replaced the head gasket anyway. Also I checked for warping with a straight edge and could find none, as well as no visible cracks. I did not have the head pressure tested or use any dye detection. Reassembled and still have the same issue.

The smoke coming from the exhaust at high throttle is minimal and almost undetectable - just a bad miss. I also notice at full throttle, while the gauge tops out at 2500 rpms it has a jump in the needle.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks

Have you tested the engine under load or are you running it at high idle? Fuel delivery is low under those conditions compared to being under load Blowing white smoke is usually unburned fuel. Did all the piston crowns look the same when you had the head off?

When you had the head off did you check the valves. You might have one sticking at high rpm or a leaky valve, broken valve spring, one badly adjusted, etc..

I'm not sure how you checked the injectors with a screw driver but a bad injector could be the problem.

countrybumpkin · Mar 19, 2018

Are you sure the screen in the fuel tank isn’t stopped up. Seen several mahindras have that issue.

Laderbuilt · Mar 19, 2018

Have you checked the air filter? You can get plenty of fuel but not enough air and you will get white smoke. You could also check blow by perhaps a stuck or broken ring. These are in conjunction as to what’s already been listed as suggested.

BobG_in_VA · Mar 20, 2018

Hmmm....you said you ran it up to 2500rpm....PTO speed is approx 2050rpm...and it should only tach out at about 2200...Did you "turn out" the pump any???The miss maybe from the injector pump....my 6000 is from '03...and I've never had to run it over 1800 rpm to do anything (4wd)...Also when did the temp gauge go out?...First suggest you replace that...engines literally live or die based on temp....oh, yeah, when was the last time you changed the oil??Sorry, but it sounds like normal maintenance is not your thing....don't hate me, I grew up fixing what we had, not running what we needed...BobG in VA

Rcole · Mar 21, 2018

I did not perform a leak down but was my next course of action. The strainer has been replaced. Air filter are new. Oil is changed regularly. Not sure what you mean by 鍍urn the pump out? Above my pay grade. Temp guage is also fixed now. Rat had lunch on the wire. Engine is not overheating.

BobG_in_VA · Mar 21, 2018

Rcole said:
I did not perform a leak down but was my next course of action. The strainer has been replaced. Air filter are new. Oil is changed regularly. Not sure what you mean by 鍍urn the pump out? Above my pay grade. Temp guage is also fixed now. Rat had lunch on the wire. Engine is not overheating.

If everything is OK below 2000rpm, suggest you get a 6 or 7ft brush hog and dump the 10ft...and run it at or below 1800rpm for a few hours and see how it responds...BobG in VA