I bought an old L275 and I'm trying to bring it back. I only paid $600 for the tractor with FEL so I can spend a bit and not get hurt.
The tractor was very rough and the previous owner let it freeze up which pushed out a couple freeze plugs. I split the tractor and replaced the freeze plug behind the front cover and one other on the starter side and it runs! I have been using this tractor lightly for a year since with no real problems.
Recently I flushed out the cooling system, tested the thermostat, refilled with antifreeze and have used it for about 6 hours... Normally it smokes a bit and misses when cold then smooths out after 10-15 minutes. The last time I used it it smoked white a LOT, was noticeably louder and never smoothed out. It was low on power and missed. The smoke seemed to be fuel because of soot on the undercarriage near the outlet and the smoke lingered in the air. There was black liquid oozing from the crack in the exhaust manifold
I was guessing a drippy or plugged injector.
At a high idle I cracked the injector lines and #2 was not firing. #2 exh manifold port was colder than 1 and 3. I pulled all the injectors for tear down and cleaning. Then I held the kill valve down and cranked the engine, fluid sprayed out of #2...tasted like antifreeze
The injectors are worn and show some water damage but are probably usable. I am now looking at a head gasket or possibly a cracked head.
It's spring and I have work to do so I am going to put the injectors back in, add a bunch of Stop Leak and run it... then tear it down this winter for a proper fix.
My question is: with this age and history, what are the odds between finding a blown head gasket or a cracked head?
Just trying to prepare myself....
The tractor was very rough and the previous owner let it freeze up which pushed out a couple freeze plugs. I split the tractor and replaced the freeze plug behind the front cover and one other on the starter side and it runs! I have been using this tractor lightly for a year since with no real problems.
Recently I flushed out the cooling system, tested the thermostat, refilled with antifreeze and have used it for about 6 hours... Normally it smokes a bit and misses when cold then smooths out after 10-15 minutes. The last time I used it it smoked white a LOT, was noticeably louder and never smoothed out. It was low on power and missed. The smoke seemed to be fuel because of soot on the undercarriage near the outlet and the smoke lingered in the air. There was black liquid oozing from the crack in the exhaust manifold
I was guessing a drippy or plugged injector.
At a high idle I cracked the injector lines and #2 was not firing. #2 exh manifold port was colder than 1 and 3. I pulled all the injectors for tear down and cleaning. Then I held the kill valve down and cranked the engine, fluid sprayed out of #2...tasted like antifreeze
The injectors are worn and show some water damage but are probably usable. I am now looking at a head gasket or possibly a cracked head.
It's spring and I have work to do so I am going to put the injectors back in, add a bunch of Stop Leak and run it... then tear it down this winter for a proper fix.
My question is: with this age and history, what are the odds between finding a blown head gasket or a cracked head?
Just trying to prepare myself....