ISO: Used Engine - M4500DT

lauraoconnor

New member

Equipment
M4500DT
Jan 14, 2025
5
1
3
Montana
Looking for an engine for an M4500DT! S2600A.
Located in Montana but willing to travel.
Hydraulic pump as well if available.
 

lauraoconnor

New member

Equipment
M4500DT
Jan 14, 2025
5
1
3
Montana
I'm working with a Kubota dealership and they are saying only replacing the engine liner, piston rings and upper/lower gaskets may not completely fix it. It would be $3500 in parts + labor. So a used engine may be cheaper, if I can find one. A new engine sleeve from a machine shop would add to the cost as well ($1000 per cylinder I'm being told).

Story is that I had a perfectly functioning engine/tractor, and my diesel mechanic friend was assisting with installing a frost plug block heater and accidentally punched a hole through the cylinder wall while attempting to remove the frost plug.
 

North Idaho Wolfman

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Staff member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
L3450DT-GST, Woods FEL, B7100 HSD, FEL, 60" SB, 743 Bobcat with V2203, and more
Jun 9, 2013
31,470
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Sandpoint, ID
I'm working with a Kubota dealership and they are saying only replacing the engine liner, piston rings and upper/lower gaskets may not completely fix it. It would be $3500 in parts + labor. So a used engine may be cheaper, if I can find one. A new engine sleeve from a machine shop would add to the cost as well ($1000 per cylinder I'm being told).

Story is that I had a perfectly functioning engine/tractor, and my diesel mechanic friend was assisting with installing a frost plug block heater and accidentally punched a hole through the cylinder wall while attempting to remove the frost plug.
A dealer is going to be the most expensive for that repair.
An Independent should be able do a rebuild on that for around $5k parts and labor.
What part if Montana are you in?

Also put up a picture of the hole in the cylinder, most of these can be repaired without tearing it down. Cost would be under a $100.
 

lauraoconnor

New member

Equipment
M4500DT
Jan 14, 2025
5
1
3
Montana
This is in Billings, Montana. I was quoted by Billings Kubota for this. The tractor is there currently. I might need a new hydraulic pump as well as I was having issues with the loader; although it could be a cylinder on the loader.

I'm definitely open to working with an independent shop on this. I got the tractor for an alright price but it was running relatively well before all this, just wanted to start it easier in the winter as I also replaced the glow plugs. New starter, new clutch, all new fluids before I bought it.

Here's a picture of the hole from trying to get the frost plug out and the tractor when I brought it back.

I don't have any other pictures of the engine as it's at Billings Kubota currently.
 

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North Idaho Wolfman

Moderator
Staff member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
L3450DT-GST, Woods FEL, B7100 HSD, FEL, 60" SB, 743 Bobcat with V2203, and more
Jun 9, 2013
31,470
7,280
113
Sandpoint, ID
Yes that does look like it's repairable without a lot of work or expense.
Confirmation would be to turn the engine while looking in the hole, if the hole is below the rings on the piston than it's a non issue, a super cleaning of the wall and a little epoxy and your back in business, or if you want to spend a little more a good mig or tig welder can fix it right up.
Epoxy is the safest and will outlast the tractor.

FYI: That also looks like the wrong location for the block heater.
 
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lauraoconnor

New member

Equipment
M4500DT
Jan 14, 2025
5
1
3
Montana
So I posed the question to the Kubota shop manager about the JB weld/epoxy solution and he said yep it's below the piston rings so in theory it should work but you can't guarantee how clean you can get it or how long it's going to last so Kubota would basically sign off any responsibility of the repair and not guarantee anything...which is understandable from an OEM point of view I guess.

He's going to quote me on the complete engine overhaul but I asked him about the 'engine rebuild kits' that I see online (obviously aftermarket) and he said he's basically stopped using aftermarket but would try to look for a good quality kit and include that option as well. Apparently Kubota only sell the individual parts for it, not a kit.

So my question is are there any good quality aftermarket kits out there or do you think the best option is the JB weld/epoxy for a tractor that will be used to load and unload round hay bales and feed once a week in the winter...This isn't going to be used daily and the hour meter says 1523 on it, who knows if that's correct but still.