potential damage

[ozimmerman]

I posted a bit ago that I had some smoke. Thought maybe it is condensation, but now I am leaning toward cracked head or could it be the head gasket(?). I can't really tell if the exhaust smells "sweet", but I am pretty sure it smells different these days. I checked the coolant today and it is down from last I checked and hasn't seen too much use this winter. Now, there was a visible coolant leak since I got the tractor last spring, but I think its from the radiator gasket. It didn't seem to go down substantially this summer from that (as far as I remember). So the smoke, the stink and the lower coolant makes me think it is a head problem. So... is it safe to run the tractor in this condition? An inlaw told me that if its getting on the bearings ,ethylene glycol will wreck them. Its gonna be a month until I can get real help (grandfather). I have been reading, but have no experience with this business. can I run my tractor in the mean time without causing more damage?

[Russ Leggitt]

Hi Ozimmerman,

Here are some things to try:
1). Check the coolant level and make sure it is within about 3/4 inch
of the overflow level
2). Crank the tractor and let run for several minutes
3). Remove the radiator cap and feel of the coolant if it is not warm
let run until it gets warm
4). Look for disturbance on the coolant surface, such as small bubbles
or large bubbles for that matter. If bubbles or other disturbance
you have gas leaking out of the cumbustion chamber into the coolant
cavity, ie. damaged or non-sealing head gasket or head crack. Or it
could be a warped head.

After performing this test please post a reply.

I had one recently with the same symptoms and when I did the test I had
small bubbles. Took the to a machine shop. It was warped .013 inch. Had it planed and new gasket. Runs very smooth and has power.

Hope this helps.

[Eugene]

So the smoke, the stink and the lower coolant makes me think it is a head problem. So... is it safe to run the tractor in this condition

Quote from Automotive Diagnosis and Tune Up, Guy F. Wetzel, 1961. "Water getting into the crankcase and contacting moving parts of the engine, may have extremely serious consequences." " - Antifreeze solution leakage into the engine is detrimental to lubrication." There is a lengthy paragraph on possible consequences.

Hydrostatic lock. If you get enough fluid on the top of a piston - then try to start the engine - well bad things happen - like bending a connecting rod.

[John(videodoc)]

as to your question, will it damage it if you run if for a while. I can not truly answer. But i can say i ran mine for almost two months last year during mowing season knowing it needed attention, just kept adding fluid. The Central Indiana fest was coming up, and i knew i would have help there if i got stumped changing out the gasket. And i did, ended having to put a heilcoil in one to the holes. Did i damage it, i dont know but it kept on working great before and after........... John

[Gary Dotson]

Whether or not it will damage other engine components depends on how much coolant is getting into the crankcase. Try this: after the engine has sat, undisturbed for a couple days, loosen the oil drain plug, just enough to drip. If there is substantial coolant in the crankcase, it will drip first, then oil will begin to drip. If you get coolant drips, doing this, don't run it till the problem is repaired and be sure to change the oil & filter. Changing it twice is a very good plan.

[DarylB]

Using an engine with a blown head gasket can definitely cause more damage.
My grandfather's 48 cub had a leaky gasket but money was tight and
work needed to be done. When we finally pulled the head it was too late.
The coolant had eroded a small trough in the block from the water jacket
to the cylinder.

[ozimmerman]

Thanks for the replies. I will do some investigating

[John(videodoc)]

i did keep checking the oil level to ensure it was leaking into that area, so i knew i was safe, as it was being burned up......