Hi All, I think I may have broken my engine. I ran my JD 500C almost out of fuel then refueled it and it wouldn’t start then I gave it probably too much laughing gas…. I didn’t like the sound it made when I tried to start it so I shut it right down immediately but now it seems locked up. Did I blow it up ? I’ve used ether in the past but always in the cold on a cold engine with no issues. My plan is to pull the injectors and try to turn it over. It’s been sitting 10 days since it happened. Thanks!
How much ether did you use? Did the engine go to full throttle after the ether treatment? You may have caused significant damage but you'll need to diagnose just how bad it is.
A second a half long spray maybe? Hard to gauge and remember from 10 days ago. It always goes full throttle whenever I start it. I was rushing and it probably bit me. Is it possible it sent fuel and hydro locked on fuel because I shut it off immediately?
Its ether locked. It should disperse by sitting for a bit. The engine will also knock when 1st started until the overdose clears
Still after 10 days sitting?
Maybe not in that case
Maybe you can use a borescope to look at cylinders/pistons when you pull those injectors.
Should I be able to turn it over gently with a bar on the crank hydraulic pump coupler?
Yes
If you generally let the engine rev. to full throttle when starting you aren't doing the engine any favors. Putting the throttle at full throttle for starting is common but as soon as it catches you reduce the throttle way before it reaches full throttle. If too much ether is used you might not be able to lower the throttle until the ether is exhausted. If you're really lucky maybe it is hydrolocked with diesel but would think it would leak down in 10 days. Check your oil to see if has diesel in it. If it won't turn over taking the injectors (glow plugs if it has them) out is a good idea to see if will turn over. Good luck!
Thanks! I am always very careful to not let it go WOT when starting. I quickly cycle the lever and let it idle. I am praying hard that it is only hydro locked with diesel. It doesn’t have GPs so I will be pulling the injectors asap. I’ll go check the oil for diesel smell.
I think you could feel diesel in the oil or the oil would be thinner. If it's over full on the dipstick is obvious.
Well, it seems I broke it. I pulled the injectors and it won’t budge with a big bar the starter.
Drain the engine oil and look for metal. Do the same with the oil filter
That is next on the list. After I put the fuel system back together. This one doesnt have a spin on filter.
First I filled the cylinders with Marvel Mystery oil, then we drained the oil. No Debris. We then pulled the oil pan and then the main caps one at a time while trying to bar it over and it finally popped loose when we loosened the center main cap under the balance unit. One main bearing cap had some scoring. The others were too tight / stuck to remove. So we put it all back together except for the oil filter and gaskets and it still turns over smoothly after torquing all the bolts. I’m going to get new oil filter and gaskets tomorrow and hopefully re install the injectors and see if it will run again. Do I need new seals or anything for the injectors? Also 4 injector had 2 washers instead of 1 washer like the other 3 injectors.
Might want to do a compression test while the injectors are out, if bad compression from damage you're just spinning your wheels. #4 probably had 2 washers due to previous swap and overlooked.
Good idea. I don’t think I have the tools to adapt to the injector hole for my gauge.
I think I would just chalk it up to a learning experience and start it up. I really hate starting fluid as I have seen and heard of too many horror stories. I have seen motors become addicted to the stuff and it sounds like yours had an overdose. Try WD40 in the future. For me, it’s always the nasty knocking sound of excessive detonation that scares the crap out of me.
Does WD40 have enough oomph to get it going? Does anyone know if I need to change the seals on the injectors? I purchased them due to being inexpensive and available. Its a Teflon? ring near the tip and a hard plastic washer up top. Anything else I should do before trying to fire it up? I am going to spin it over a bunch to blow out the cylinders.
I wouldn't worry about them right now. See if she'll live.
Well she started up fine but died after a bit because I left the fuel valve off doh! Haha I will address the battery cables and crack the lines tomorrow and get it going. It didn’t sound bad or any different when it started up. I’m pretty sure I just dried the cylinder walls with too much ether on a warm engine and stuck a piston or 4.
Hopefully no major damage.
If everything is right, it shouldn't need anything to start.
Well, it seems no major damage. I ran it for about an hour yesterday using it and it ran just like it used to. Thanks everyone!
Great! Keep an eye on the oil level to make sure it's not using a lot.