NH TC45D No start. Single Click/Clunk and nothing. Seized Engine?

[jacksork]

2002 NH TC45D. ~1,900 hrs.

I was operating the tractor when a noise started coming from the engine. Seemed almost like a rattling inside. Shut the tractor down and now it won't start nor turn over.

-Turn the key to start and there is a single clink/clunk sound and that is it. No multiple clicks with the starter and engine does not crank/turn over. You can see a slight movement in the fan (moves a few degrees.
-Checked fluids, a little low on oil. Added a quart.
-Load tested battery, clean posts/terminals. Battery tested good.
-Had starter rebuilt by a very reputable shop for the area (needed new contacts, clutch and plunger). Installed and same thing as before.
-Went back to the battery to recheck connections/clean posts/terminals, post came off so replaced battery with new. Checked grounds and everything seems solid. Removed frame ground from battery and reattached. Try to start and same thing as before.
-Applied 12V directly to starter from battery and same single clink/clunk sound.
-I've read that you can/can't rotate the crankshaft by hand. Tried it anyways, wasn't able to move it.

What's left to check/recheck? Is the engine seized?

I'm at a loss on how to proceed and winter is coming. Already had a brief flurry or two.

 

[dodge man]

You should be able to move it by hand. When I grease the driveshafts on my JD 2025r I have to grab the flywheel and rotate it to get at the grease zerk. It takes a little effort but can be done. With a breaker bar it should turn.

You either take it somewhere or crack it open yourself.

 

[jacksork]

Was able to fit a 2' breaker bar. Didn't budge.

 

[Roadworthy]

If you can access the bolt on the front end of the crankshaft and the transmission is in neutral you should be able to rotate the crankshaft. You could have someone depress the clutch when attempting to rotate the engine. It should not be terribly difficult to rotate.

 

[dodge man]

Another thought, but unlikely, check and make sure the starter hasn’t locked up the motor. It’s a long shot but since you had it off before, I’d remove it again to make sure.

 

[etpm]

I know nothing about your particular tractor but the sound you describe makes me wonder if something is in the bell housing hanging up in the flywheel. I had a VW clutch come apart, the friction disc, and it got hung up in the gear teeth on the flywheel.
Eric

 

[jacksork]

Removed the starter, couldn't rotate the flywheel by hand. With the starter off I tried a socket/breaker bar again on the crank pulley, no budging.

Had a buddy talk to a retired tractor mechanic who used to work on NH, he said it wasnt uncommon from the description that the oil pump may have gone and the front bearing went.

Will update when more is figured out.

 

[Dman1981]

if it is a clutch tractor put it in higher gear and give it. A pull
Might blow something up might not I have seen clutches blow and material get trapped between flywheel and block
Also drop engine oil if. Bearing did seize going to have metallic looking oil

 

[jacksork]

It is a hydrostatic.

Talked to the local dealer, rough estimate of 15-20k to repair if they have to split the tractor and rebuild the engine.

 

[Williy]

You could use this to check your cylinders or drain oil
and look to see what you have left in the oil pan:
Harbor freight special $20

willy

 

[Dman1981]

It is a hydrostatic.

Talked to the local dealer, rough estimate of 15-20k to repair if they have to split the tractor and rebuild the engine.

Damn that’s a lot of money
How much a good used or rebuilt engine maybe shop around
Sounds crazy I overhauled some cat
And Cummins that were less than that

 

[jacksork]

Been calling around. There is a shop semi local that would rebuild for ~$6500-ish depending on what else it needs. I would just need to drop off the engine.

 

[jacksork]

Crankshaft broke and the bearing was chewed up. Other than that the mechanic said everything was in pretty good shape and wont need to do much machine work wise. Will replace/rebuild what should be while it is disassembled.

 

[etpm]

Man, that sucks. Any idea why the crankshaft broke? Was there oil starvation? Or just bad luck? A cranky crank? Thanks for letting us all know what the problem was.
Cheers,
Eric

 

[jacksork]

Man, that sucks. Any idea why the crankshaft broke? Was there oil starvation? Or just bad luck? A cranky crank? Thanks for letting us all know what the problem was.
Cheers,
Eric

He wasn't sure. Said he'd never seen a crankshaft break where it broke. You can see discoloration in the pictures above the break. One other section of the crank had the same discoloration, but everything else looked as it should and the bearing surfaces weren't that bad either.

Mechanic also mentioned that someone had been in the engine previously, but other than that he wasn't sure.

 

[Dman1981]

What did radius look
Like on journals if they are not tapered when cut or ground will create a shear point and snap
We had a machine do a few cranks for us years ago all of them broke

 

[etpm]

He wasn't sure. Said he'd never seen a crankshaft break where it broke. You can see discoloration in the pictures above the break. One other section of the crank had the same discoloration, but everything else looked as it should and the bearing surfaces weren't that bad either.

Mechanic also mentioned that someone had been in the engine previously, but other than that he wasn't sure.

Thanks for the reply, I'm sure I'm not the only person who was interested in the cause of the failure. You must be frustrated to not know the reason and if there is a way to prevent a broken crank in the future.
Thanks Again,
Eric

 

[KWentling]

I have heard of a worn out/failed harmonic balancer causing broken cranks. I don't know if that engine has one or not but if it does I'd take a close look at it and if in doubt just replace it.

 

[jacksork]

What did radius look
Like on journals if they are not tapered when cut or ground will create a shear point and snap
We had a machine do a few cranks for us years ago all of them broke

Not sure what you are referring to when you say "radius"? Can you clarify?

 

[Dman1981]

When a crank is turned, at the edge of rod and main journals it should
Be like picture lots of you tube videos also
Same
Goes for when it is bored for sleeve cut for sleeve recess cannot be square cut other wise sleeve will crack and get sucked into pan
Experience talking. Hate doing stuff twice and finding machine just goes oops