My l3240HST (400 hours) ran hot enough to screw up the head. I'm now considering trying a rebuild. I had the head checked and it was toasted. My question is, how much of the block should have send to the shop to have it checked for cracks and other damage? Is it necessary to completely strip it? If there is little or no damage to the lower part of the engine, I will buy a head and be on my way. I have heard that the lower part of the engine often survives temps that kill the head. Is any of this true or am I dreaming?
L3240 over heated need info
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Orange Turbo
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The block is normally stripped down, when they (magnaflux) they have to see/look in all areas. Unless you where totally out of water the block has a good chance of not beaning hurt, I've had cracked heads and head gasket's blow from over heat and never hurt the block.. I have never seen a block hurt myself. The head is the first to lose the water and is the hottest part, It all depends on how HOT!! and for how LONG!!!
Hope this helps...........
Hope this helps...........
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Thanks for the info. This is a rental unit so I don't know how hot or how often for that matter. I have considered installing a new head and hoping for the best. I have talked to my dealer and can replace the engine new for 5 grand. I though it might be worth trying a $1000.00 head first. I can't decide if I should just toss the dice or go ahead with the magnaflux thing.
North Idaho Wolfman
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Another stupidity thread!
No not on your part, but on the renter/operators part!
I'm pretty sure it has a gauge or at the very least a temp light that was screaming at them to stop!
I've rented a ton of equipment over the years and I guess I'm not the norm, because I treat it like I'm borrowing it from a mob boss that will break your legs if you so much as scratch it!
Why abuse a piece of equipment, so it can fail while you have it, or sadly, fail while someone else has it and needs it to do a job!
What failed to make it get hot, water pump or other damage.
Was the head cracked or warped?
If it was cracked, then good chance it took the hit, and you'll be fine.
If it was warped, it got real hot, and I would worry about a block failure.
It a crap shoot, but I would say the odds are in your favor that you could put a new head on it and get some more service out of it and your not out a whole ton of money.
Equipment should have idiot detection systems!
No not on your part, but on the renter/operators part!
I'm pretty sure it has a gauge or at the very least a temp light that was screaming at them to stop!
I've rented a ton of equipment over the years and I guess I'm not the norm, because I treat it like I'm borrowing it from a mob boss that will break your legs if you so much as scratch it!
Why abuse a piece of equipment, so it can fail while you have it, or sadly, fail while someone else has it and needs it to do a job!
What failed to make it get hot, water pump or other damage.
Was the head cracked or warped?
If it was cracked, then good chance it took the hit, and you'll be fine.
If it was warped, it got real hot, and I would worry about a block failure.
It a crap shoot, but I would say the odds are in your favor that you could put a new head on it and get some more service out of it and your not out a whole ton of money.
Equipment should have idiot detection systems!
First thing I would do is drain the oil, and see if there is any coolant in the oil. Then, leave the plugs out, and fill the block to the top with water, and see if any leaks out, into the oil pan. If just a little leaks out, in say a week, you might be able to add some block sealant containing sodium silicate (waterglass), when you get it re-assembled. I tried it with an L-185 that froze, and it appears to be holding.
Be sure to follow the directions on the block sealant bottle, sometimes this stuff works for 2-5 years, on small cracks, so it claims.
Be sure to follow the directions on the block sealant bottle, sometimes this stuff works for 2-5 years, on small cracks, so it claims.
Wolfman, I think you would have been closer to say that I have to be an idiot to rent tractors. This is actually the first diesel engine I have lost in over 20 years.Throughout the life of a machine of this sort, there are about 3 rentals that keep it from lasting forever. If I could back those 3 out of the equation, Kubota would have forgotten who I was years ago. As it stands, everyone there knows my voice over the phone.
The reason for the damage was a split radiator tank and an idiot that couldn't see the light on the dash and couldn't figure out why his eyes were burning. I cancelled the new engine order and plan to do my first attempt at diesel repair. I want to be sure to get it right because at some point I will trade it in and I don't want the next fellow to buy it and have it fail on him. There is a place in business for honor. Thanks to everyone for your input and I will report back.
The reason for the damage was a split radiator tank and an idiot that couldn't see the light on the dash and couldn't figure out why his eyes were burning. I cancelled the new engine order and plan to do my first attempt at diesel repair. I want to be sure to get it right because at some point I will trade it in and I don't want the next fellow to buy it and have it fail on him. There is a place in business for honor. Thanks to everyone for your input and I will report back.
Rentthis, I don't think wolfman was calling you the idiot, more like the operator who let it overheat...
North Idaho Wolfman
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Daren Todd
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You come across a whole new stupid working in the rental buisiness. I had a company back an $80k, 300 hp diesel driven pump down to the river, unhook it from there truck. Start it up and had it roll into the river. They then repeated the process 3 more time's with the same results All four motors were toast. It never occured to them that since it was on a slope to chock the tires!!!
They then repeated the process 3 more time's with the same results All four motors were toast. It never occured to them that since it was on a slope to chock the tires!!!
North Idaho Wolfman
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That's rich! I did understand your original comment re:stupid people. I have, however, thought a certain amount of crazy is necessary to rent equipment for a living. I'm going to slap myself just in case.
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