My Auction TL8 - Diagnosis: Hole in cylinder 2

[Vetech63]

An auction is like playing a slot machine at the casinos. You are gambling with your hard-earned money for very little return. Do some hit a jackpot...............sure they do, but the house odds are tremendous to overcome.

 

[Simon C]

Not everything at the auction is a POS, but every POS is at the auction.

Could not of said it more accurately.
Simon C

 

[Cogniz]

I've had good luck on equipment from auctions, including big items. My luck ran out on this one. I priced in a replacement motor at $12k, excluding my time of course. So if I can recover this with new piston, rings and injector, plus the fuel system deep clean, I'll feel pretty good all around.
I count the learning curve as valuable too. Never wrenched on a diesel and I appreciate all of you offering perspective.

 

[Simon C]

I've had good luck on equipment from auctions, including big items. My luck ran out on this one. I priced in a replacement motor at $12k, excluding my time of course. So if I can recover this with new piston, rings and injector, plus the fuel system deep clean, I'll feel pretty good all around.
I count the learning curve as valuable too. Never wrenched on a diesel and I appreciate all of you offering perspective.

Don't feel bad, if I would of gone to an auction 30 years ago, I would never of thought of getting a sample. People on this form have made plenty of mistakes before, but like digital camera pictures, we delete them like they never happened.
Simon C

 

[crane operator]

So if I can recover this with new piston, rings and injector, plus the fuel system deep clean, I'll feel pretty good all around.

I think you'll end up having to do something with that cylinder wall. The video isn't great, there's a lot of reflection, but it looks damaged beyond honing to me.

 

[1466IH]

If you drag your fingernail across the scratches can you feel them? If yes chances are they are too deep and will need to be machined out. If they are visible but you are not able to feel them you can try a hone. Not sure what you plan to use machine for when repaired either. If it is something that is only going to see an hour or two in a month I would be more willing to go about things the shade tree way. If you plan to use this thing day in and day out to make a living I would do everything I could to make things right.

 

[Cogniz]

1466IH
Yes, I can feel the ridges in the cylinder wall. Late night reading suggests that Kubota does not match their sleeves to the pistons. I'll call my local dealer and inquire.
Several videos show guys just carefully chipping the sleeve out and knocking a new one in place. Seems to be the direction I'm headed.
And this TL8 is for farm use. Mostly moving logs and brush, some dirt work and grading periodically. Definitely not daily use.
And Simon, thanks for the encouragement regarding my auction casino purchases. On the whole, I'm on the positive side of things and, by the grace of God, debt free with some helpful equipment.
I"m not a glutton for punishment, just on a budget. I learned years ago that diesel is cheaper than back surgery.

 

[Birken Vogt]

If this engine had a normal exhaust pipe then a shade tree fix might be appropriate for a low use situation. But having a DPF means the engine must be in perfect condition at all times or the exhaust system will get clogged over and over. Leading to more hyper expense. There can't be anything wrong with the engine or the machine will not work for long.

This is by design, somewhat. It ensures that more older machines go to the scrap heap much sooner than was the case before. Forced turnover.

 

[Cogniz]

Birken, you are making the case for ridding myself of the DPF...leave it to the government and collusion with manufacturers...bankers and demons make good company.

 

[Mobiltech]

Have you had the oil pan off and checked the bottom end yet.
I would at least want that piston out before I made any decisions on repair.

 

[Cogniz]

Have you had the oil pan off and checked the bottom end yet.
I would at least want that piston out before I made any decisions on repair.

Pulling the pan today or tomorrow. And to your point, yes, I want to see the bearings.
Aside, an old performance engine builder neighbor came by just now and is very confident honing will restore the cylinder. He's offered to do it for me in frame. I'll update as I go.

 

[Nige]

Several videos show guys just carefully chipping the sleeve out and knocking a new one in place. Seems to be the direction I'm headed.

I would suggest to use something like dry ice to shrink the new sleeve somewhat and reduce the amount of hammering required.
If you have any farmers around who use artificial insemination one of them may just have a Dewar Flask for liquid nitrogen. Use that and your biggest challenge might be to prevent the shrunken sleeve falling straight through the cylinder block...........

 

[Cogniz]

Thanks Nige. Great idea.

 

[Mobiltech]

Does the oil pan come off a tl8 in frame.

 

[Cogniz]

Mobiletech,
Yes, the pan came off after a fight in frame. The RTV was a bear. No gasket.
Easy to get to the bolts and the pan came out through the access panel easily.
Unbolted the pickup tube and got to the rod bolts with ease.
I did not find any metal in the pan, so that's a mystery. I may pull the oil pump and break it down to be safe.
Old neighbor came by and inspected the crank, rod and wrist bearings and declared them in good shape.
As you can see the piston is ugly.
He was surprised it had not detonated, guessing the top ring held the pieces together.

He is going to hone #2 for me. I'll order 4 piston and ring sets, bearings, and upper gasket kit. Also valve seals and have the head cleaned, machined and the valves lapped.

 

[Simon C]

That piston did not have too many power strokes left in it. Have seen the same a few times before. Might be a good idea to check the rod top bushing incase it is on the verge of coming loose. Guy hates to have to go back into it again. Let us know how it turns out.
Simon C

 

[ozarkag]

Late night reading suggests that Kubota does not match their sleeves to the pistons. I'll call my local dealer and inquire.
Several videos show guys just carefully chipping the sleeve out and knocking a new one in place. Seems to be the direction I'm headed.

I think you figured it out, but this engine does  not use a sleeve or liner. Is a parent bore engine. Typical repair is bore out and use oversize pistons, unless it it damaged too badly, than bore and repair sleeve. Only sleeve would be a repair sleeve installed at a machine shop.
If you're looking at Chinese kits online, yes they show sleeves, it is a repair sleeve only, and not something anyone except a machine shop will install.

 

[Cogniz]

Update: All 4 injectors passed.
The owner of the shop (incredible service BTW), City Diesel in Knoxville, TN, suggested the piston may have been a bad casting, someone used ether to start, or they simply replaced an injector after a tip let go.
I've ordered the gasket kit and will get pistons and rings ordered today.

 

[crane operator]

If the cylinder wall looks anything like that piston, it just as well go to the machine shop.

 

[Makers Acres]

Not everything at the auction is a POS, but every POS is at the auction.

That is great wisdom! hehe. My channel has proof of that!

Really sorry you have had to go through this. The auctions are always a risk, but sometimes it pays off and you get lucky!