L3000DT Overheated, Coolant Found In Oil

[tmwfreeman]

My pastor has a L3000DT that recently overheated and then started blowing oil out the exhaust stack and all over the top of the tractor. It was shutdown within a few minutes after this occurred. When I arrived a few days ago, this what I found. Radiator was low on coolant and also checked the Oil dipstick and discovered it was over filled. Then I drained a small amount of oil from the oil drain plug. However coolant/Antifreeze came out first, followed by engine oil about 5 seconds later. My thoughts are a blown head gasket or water pump seal? To the best of my knowledge, there wasn't any white smoke coming out of the exhaust prior to this occurrence (which would suggest a blown head gasket). Have thought about draining the oil, then removing the thermostat and housing and pouring coolant with ultraviolet leak dye directly inside to see if coolant makes its way down to the oil pan. I have also read that it could also be a cracked head or block. Any help or suggestions are greatly appreciated. Tim

 

[rentthis]

Best case scenario,blown head gasket. Probable scenario, cracked head. If the head is cracked, the block is very likely fine. Good luck.

 

[tmwfreeman]

Thanks Rentthis. If it is a Head Gasket or a Cracked Head how much in labor costs is he looking at? I have a good idea on part costs but labor I have no idea what it would cost. Would the overheating cause either of these?

 

[D2Cat]

If you're willing to help him and have any mechanical ability, it probably wouldn't be too big of a task. You would need to remove the intake and exhaust manifolds, which means the hood and side curtains (if the tractor has them) need to get out of your way. Remove the rocker arm assy. to get to the head.

Remove the head and take it to an automotive machine shop. They can magnaflux the head to determine if it is cracked, and check to see it's not warped. Upon the machine shop's feedback you will know the next step. Either they can go through the head to update anything it needs, but it may need nothing!

If the head is unusable, then you will need to find one. You can be walked through the process if you're so inclined.

To give you an idea of cost, just an estimate, head gasket $55/60, intake and exhaust manifold gaskets $15 each, machine work depends a lot on area and particular shop, but I'd guess less then $100 if the head is good. If you need a head go to "grainfarmer" for a quote.

Report back what you're going to do, and what you discover.

 

[rentthis]

Over heating is the primary cause of head damage.

 

[tmwfreeman]

Thanks D2Cat. I'm digging into it tomorrow and I will report back on what I find. Hopefully the head isn't damaged but will see.

 

[tmwfreeman]

Well I found the Cylinder Head needed an overhaul so that was taken to the local machine shop and they did a Valve job on it and cleaned it up and it looks brand new. However, I want to drop the oil pan so I can clean and inspect the lower part of the engine. But in order to drop the oil pan, the front drive shaft has to be removed or lowered. I have already removed the front shaft cover, slid it to the rear and punched out the roll pin, then disconnected the splined shaft from the front differential. However I don't know how to disconnect the shaft from the rear portion of the transmission. I have the WSM, but it is very vague on how to do this procedure.

 

[rentthis]

If I'm not mistaken, the propeller shaft should just pull off of the spine in front of the transmission. Give it a pull and be sure to have a bucket under it to catch what might be a good bit of oil. That has been the case with my L machines.

 

[D2Cat]

I'm pretty sure there is a roll pin on the back end of the shaft also. I can't remember exactly which model tractor it was, but it was a bit awkward to get to and there was some dirt hiding it.

I ended up taking a welding rod (like 3/16") and knocking the flux off and using it as a punch to finally get the pin out.