Belly mount GF1800E went bang, then smoke

rag

New member

Equipment
L3300 , GF1800
Dec 14, 2020
22
2
3
Canada
While mowing thick tall grass in a pasture the engine went bang then began to smoke. It still ran so I drove it a short distance. Upon lifting the engine cover there was oil (?) spread about and smoke coming out of what looks like it could be one of 3 spark plugs . The manual does not mention spark plug at all and does not label what these 3 things are. Any suggestions as to what what has happened would be much appreciated.
 

lugbolt

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ZG127S-54
Oct 15, 2015
5,430
2,124
113
Mid, South, USA
it doesn't have spark plugs, which is why they don't mention them.

if you have oil all over, clean it off and figure out where it's coming from.
 

Russell King

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L185F, Modern Ag Competitor 4’ shredder, Rhino tiller, rear dirt scoop
Jun 17, 2012
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Bang like some explosion or Bang like something metal coming through metal?

I would assume that you have probably thrown a rod through the block and there is a hole in the side of your block. But I am a pessimist by nature!
 

rag

New member

Equipment
L3300 , GF1800
Dec 14, 2020
22
2
3
Canada
it doesn't have spark plugs, which is why they don't mention them.

if you have oil all over, clean it off and figure out where it's coming from.
Can you suggest what the bang might have been?
 

rag

New member

Equipment
L3300 , GF1800
Dec 14, 2020
22
2
3
Canada
Bang like some explosion or Bang like something metal coming through metal?

I would assume that you have probably thrown a rod through the block and there is a hole in the side of your block. But I am a pessimist by nature!
Can that be fixed or will I have to get a new tractor?
 

rag

New member

Equipment
L3300 , GF1800
Dec 14, 2020
22
2
3
Canada
Bang like some explosion or Bang like something metal coming through metal?

I would assume that you have probably thrown a rod through the block and there is a hole in the side of your block. But I am a pessimist by nature!
CAn't really remember the kind of bang. Could the broken rod be from working very hard?
 

Russell King

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L185F, Modern Ag Competitor 4’ shredder, Rhino tiller, rear dirt scoop
Jun 17, 2012
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Not really from just working hard, but from wear and tear over the years, low oil, loose bearings, dirty radiator AND working hard.

There are a lot of things it could be but we can’t see it from here. Take some pictures and post them and we might be able to help.

It could be a simple hose has blown off but I don’t think that would get oil all over it,
 

Bee-Positive

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BX1880, FEL, Tooth Bar, MMM, QH, Ballast Box
Nov 16, 2022
187
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Amsterdam, NY
smoke coming out of what looks like it could be one of 3 spark plugs .
First, 3 glow plugs. Second, sorry for your situation.

The fact that it still ran, although just a short distance, may be a (very small) glimmer of hope. If it were me it would have died on the spot and have to be dragged back to the barn. I'm hoping it won't be worse case. Pictures may help.

Worse case it could be the piston rod for the plug with the smoke coming out of it. The rod may have blown the plug out, thus the bang. If not blown out try to remove the glow plug that was smoking and look in with a flashlight as best you can. Remove all three plugs and turn it over by hand if possible. It may turn or it may not. If you here crunching or it jams up it's toast. As RAG suggested look the engine over for any hole(s) leaking oil, missing or damaged hoses.

So...possibly a destroyed crank shaft, piston, engine block, head, valves, etc. You've got a 20+ year old engine there. So either a total rebuild of the existing engine, a new engine, or a brand new mower. Your mechanical skills, budget, and urgency will dictate which.
 

whatsupdoc

Member

Equipment
L3302
Jul 9, 2024
80
83
18
USA
Not trying to be an ass but it appears that you are not really mechanically
inclined, the best thing for your situation is for you to get someone who
has some mechanical ability and have them examine the machine and provide
you with a diagnosis.
 

rag

New member

Equipment
L3300 , GF1800
Dec 14, 2020
22
2
3
Canada
Thanks for all the suggestions. I had the tractor taken to the dealer, they just phoned to say it would be $2500 Can. to get a new rad and parts cause they would have to addapt a different rad to my old GF1800.
The labour would be extra. They said they could not tell anything about the engine that is not happy untill they repair the rad situation.
As one suggested I know nothing about mechanics, just enough to know to change the filters and check fluids. Apparently I missed looking after the rad. I have a friend that is helping me look for a used rad that we can put in. I can't find a part # for this tractor rad, tried to find the parts manual that would indicate on line but couldn't. Any help with that would be great
 

Hugo Habicht

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G1900
Jun 24, 2024
521
666
93
Ireland
Hi,

there are radiator repair shops that can put in a new mesh. This should be an order of magnitude cheaper than $2500.

But the bang did not come from the radiator, or did it? Or did something break and hit the radiator?

I do not see it a problem to run the engine for a few seconds without radiator.
 

rag

New member

Equipment
L3300 , GF1800
Dec 14, 2020
22
2
3
Canada
I phoned a rad shop today, they said to bring it in for assesment.
I can see where the rad is broken, at least one part, where the top is connected to the frame below the cap. Not sure that can be repaired
There must have been a lot of pressure to make the frame split from the top part where the cap is plus the tabs that were braised on to hold the rad in place gave way on one side leaving a nice bright shiny spot where it seperated on one side.
Not much I can do till I find something to replace the rad. At this pooint I'm leary of getting it fixed if the engine will need big overhaul.
The last time I tried the engine it would not catch, just spewed smoke out the exhaust .
If I have to spend $5,000 or more to fix it is it worth it?
 

PoTreeBoy

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L35 Ford 3930
Mar 24, 2020
3,166
1,774
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WestTn/NoMs
Thanks for all the suggestions. I had the tractor taken to the dealer, they just phoned to say it would be $2500 Can. to get a new rad and parts cause they would have to addapt a different rad to my old GF1800.
The labour would be extra. They said they could not tell anything about the engine that is not happy untill they repair the rad situation.
As one suggested I know nothing about mechanics, just enough to know to change the filters and check fluids. Apparently I missed looking after the rad. I have a friend that is helping me look for a used rad that we can put in. I can't find a part # for this tractor rad, tried to find the parts manual that would indicate on line but couldn't. Any help with that would be great
Did you get any pictures of where the oil came from?
 

rag

New member

Equipment
L3300 , GF1800
Dec 14, 2020
22
2
3
Canada
I didn't see liquid come out but did see some smoke near the glow plug closest to the rear.
I have a picture but not sure how to get it into this place from my phone... I can get the site but can't find where this message would be to attach the file
 

North Idaho Wolfman

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I didn't see liquid come out but did see some smoke near the glow plug closest to the rear.
I have a picture but not sure how to get it into this place from my phone... I can get the site but can't find where this message would be to attach the file
1750473045072.png
 

Russell King

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L185F, Modern Ag Competitor 4’ shredder, Rhino tiller, rear dirt scoop
Jun 17, 2012
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When you are posting you attach the picture to the post.

at the top of the screen near the middle of the screen is something that looks like a chain, then a photo of a mountain and a happy face. Select the photo and then click on the words DROP IMAGE, then (probably at the bottom of the screen) select photo library and then photograph from your album

type before or after the photo if you want to

then post reply and you are done

added on edit: DOH I’m too slow
 

bumper

Member

Equipment
BX24, B3350 cab, w/front mount blower, BH77
Mar 8, 2011
37
3
8
Minden, Nevada
Before spending the money on a radiator replacement or repair, I'd find out what the damage to the engine is. The oil and smoke was not from the radiator, though it could well be a thrown rod that punched a hole in the engine case - that should be discernable by a visual inspection.
 
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