Trans leaking 254 Foton

[valley]

Greetings, It happened today. The bolts have worked loose between the transmission, the section with the tower and the shift stick, and the portion in front of that. The gasket work it's way out. I tightened the bolts, still leaks.
I need to dig another trench 100' long by 2' deep.

I'm thinking of loosen the bolts, clean the mating surfaces, gooping in form a gasket and tighting it back up.

What do you think??? Hurry before Hook says I have to take the whole thing apart.

Thanks Richard

 

[greg_g]

The Chinese gaskets leave quite a bit to be desired; they're typically cork or paper, and rot out quickly when compromised. I don't like gasket in a tube, and seldom recommend it. It's far far better to replace the gasket. Given my dislike for the Chinese gaskets, I cut my own from bulk stock. My recommendation would be to get a roll of oil & fuel material from an auto parts store and cut your own replacement. But based upon the info provided, I'm still not sure where the leak is. It would help if (a) you were a little more specific about where the drips are coming from, and (b) whether it's gear oil or engine oil.

//greg//

 

[valley]

Greetings greg, The leak in grease. The leak is between the transmission[ the part with the gear shift lever] and the unit bolted just to the front of that. The gasket worked it's way out.

I tightened the bolts as much as possible. The 4 bolts, 2 on each side, have so little room that only an open end wrench that has been ground to alow movement can be used.

We are at the ranch, so I haven't the shop with all the tools.

It would be horrible to have to break the tractor to instal a paper gasket, maybe sliding one in.
Richard

 

[Rich Waugh]

Given your situation, what I'd do is this:

Block the tractor up, both front and rear halves, and loosen the four bolts considerably - enough to allow you to still just hold the two halves aligned. I'd pull one bolt all the way out to get an idea of how much room you're gong to end up with before loosening all four. Once you have the bolts loose, use a pry bar to separate the two halves as far as the bolts will allow and clean the gasket out and get the surfaces as clean as possible. Then apply the gasket-in-a-can and button it back up, being sure to torque the bolts properly - they obviously weren't torqued properly at the factory, which allowed the two parts to shift and chew up the gasket. As that is the case, I'd pull each bolt individually, with the other three tight to keep things aligned, and apply some Loctite to the threads and reinstall and torque it.

 

[valley]

Thanks Rich, sounds like a plan! Aside fron the 4 bolts on the side, I mentioned, there are others on the top and bottom that I can get a wrench on, still might have to be an open end.
There are studs,in the tranny housing, and nuts on the studs hold the two units together, the studs are not that tight.
I'ed like to finish the trench before getting to it. It's leaking pretty good!


Richard

 

[Willl]

Best 'gasket in a can' I've used recently was Permatex's 'The Right Stuff'

 

[valley]

Up date: there are three studs on the bottom and two on each side. I Have it seperated, about 1/4" gap. I'ed like to use a gasket material that I can pump in like caulk.
I guess I can get it in there with paddle pop sticks.

How is that: permatex applied? The Permatex I used to use was put on with a brush, to hold VW cases together.

 

[Willl]

The stuff I used came in a short caulking tube and I used my caulking gun.

 

[greg_g]

Given the circumstances, I can't object to a "field expedient" fix. But I'd definitely consider it temporary, I shudder at the thought of that "gasket inna tube" crap circulating with my gear oil. The tractor should eventually be split when you get it back to a suitable location, and be fitted with a proper gasket. The threads on those bolts are almost certainly stretched as well. I'd recommend a new set of bolts in the final solution as well, plus a good gear oil flush.

//greg//

 

[valley]

Willl, What application did you use this, right stuff, on?
Sure need this to work!
greg, When I get ready to split the tractor, we'll have the guest house ready.

Thanks for the help guys.

Richard

 

[greg_g]

greg, When I get ready to split the tractor, we'll have the guest house ready.

Excellent. I've done this more than once, just not on a FT254. But it's sorta like riding a bike. Just bought a new Porsche, and - if weather permits - I wouldn't mind a run out to Tahoe. It was one of my favorite weekend haunts when I lived in the Bay area.

//greg//

 

[valley]

greg, You're on! Maybe next spring I'll be up for it. In a short time Tahoe will be up to it's vorig in snow. We sold our porsche, a 67, after our first drive to the Bay Area with our little one in a kiddy seat, in the back. We had thoughts like: an suv could drive into the back window and hit the baby. Anyway, if you're into it then, that would be great fun.

Willl, Got your PM and the: Right Stuff, Black. Let me ask you, when it comes out of the a aerosol, is it runny? As I do the top, will it want to run down into the case.
Richard

 

[EE_Bota]

"Three Bond" brand is what Subaru uses to seal the two halves of the manual tranny together. It also seemed to be (can't swear to it though) what Kubota used to seal the front hub of the BX2200 4wd hub. It comes in a tube like toothpaste. I used it when I rebuilt a 5sp Subaru tranny, and it was fine to deal with.

 

[valley]

Into other demanding jobs, still wondering about choice of sealant.

 

[Willl]

Willl, Got your PM and the: Right Stuff, Black. Let me ask you, when it comes out of the a aerosol, is it runny? As I do the top, will it want to run down into the case.
Richard

Not a aerosol can, comes in a caulking tube and consistency is about like peanut butter. (I'll find a pic of the stuff.)

The counter guy at the auto parts store suggested it when we couldn't locate a gasket for my trucks rear end.

 

[Bob Rooks]

There is always the Caterpillar "green death" but I wouldn't advise it if you intend on taking it apart again.

 

[valley]

Bob, Is this, Green Death, somewhat like the old 1960s permetex, the dark, dark brown? Use it on Porsche and VW engine halfs.

What does caterpiller use it for, what have you used it for?

 

[EE_Bota]

"Three Bond" brand is what Subaru uses to seal the two halves of the manual tranny together. It also seemed to be (can't swear to it though) what Kubota used to seal the front hub of the BX2200 4wd hub. It comes in a tube like toothpaste. I used it when I rebuilt a 5sp Subaru tranny, and it was fine to deal with.

Three Bond products are hard to find sometimes but now I see some available on Amazon
Three Bond Silicone Liquid Gasket - 3.5 oz 1211AT100 : Amazon.com : Automotive

I am not sure it is better than any other product, but it is pretty impressive when you try to remove the old stuff. It stretches pretty good when you pull it, and sticks really well to the metal.

 

[Bob Rooks]

http://www.burkinaequipements.com/fr/download_fr/Sav/pieces/PEHJ0168-01.pdf



Liquid Gasket
9U-5839 118 ml (4 fl oz)
138-8436 236 ml (8 fl oz) 185-4590 EAME
For use on 3176 engine
Permanently flexible
Seals up to .08 mm (.003 in)
Temperature resistant to 149°C (300°F)
Will not cause corrosion on aluminum parts
Contains acetone (highly flammable);
does not contain chlorine

 

[Diamondpilot]

I was working on a transmission for a ZTR a few years ago and it used gasket in a can from the factory. I believe it was a Cub Cadet. Anyway, I got some stuff that was in a can much like Cheese Whiz. It worked great. I think it was Permatex. I got it at the lawn mower shop but have seen it in Auto Parts stores since.

Chris