I've had this TO-30 for several years and use it regularly for light duty tasks on a farm. When I purchased it there was an issue with coolant use and when first started after sitting it would run on three cylinders for a short while and exhaust some white fog. I just kept the coolant topped off and since it's not used hard just lived with the problem. Recently the coolant issue has gotten worse and the engine suddenly developed a leaky rear main seal.
So it's time to address the issues. I pulled the head today expecting to find a cracked block but hoping that a head gasket might cure the problem. I found a broken valve spring on #1 exhaust. I found coolant in #3 cylinder but no obvious route from the coolant jacket to the cylinder. I see no sign of any cracking associated with the block. The head gasket shows deterioration between #2 and #3 cylinders, but no leakage between them or from the coolant jacket to the area.
I'm going to keep going deeper. To replace the rear main seal will require near full disassembly. Hard to say what I'll run into associated with main and rod bearings/crankshaft condition. I'd like to return the machine to good operating condition with the minimum of money spent.
I'd solicit any suggestions from members here about proceeding. My current plan is to remove the oil pan and pop the pistons out. The cylinders exhibit minor wear near the top, I've seen worse and if I don't find any real problems I'll hone and re-ring.
The rear main seal worries me - the engine has been decently oil tight, then suddenly there was a small but steady stream of engine oil exiting the bell housing - not a drip, but a stream. It seems to be all or nothing, sometimes it would start and run and no leak, the next time it would pump out the engine lubricant in a couple of hours of running. Dunno - All I know to do is look at the area, evaluate the condition of the crank and bearings, and replace what's necessary.
some pictures for you
So it's time to address the issues. I pulled the head today expecting to find a cracked block but hoping that a head gasket might cure the problem. I found a broken valve spring on #1 exhaust. I found coolant in #3 cylinder but no obvious route from the coolant jacket to the cylinder. I see no sign of any cracking associated with the block. The head gasket shows deterioration between #2 and #3 cylinders, but no leakage between them or from the coolant jacket to the area.
I'm going to keep going deeper. To replace the rear main seal will require near full disassembly. Hard to say what I'll run into associated with main and rod bearings/crankshaft condition. I'd like to return the machine to good operating condition with the minimum of money spent.
I'd solicit any suggestions from members here about proceeding. My current plan is to remove the oil pan and pop the pistons out. The cylinders exhibit minor wear near the top, I've seen worse and if I don't find any real problems I'll hone and re-ring.
The rear main seal worries me - the engine has been decently oil tight, then suddenly there was a small but steady stream of engine oil exiting the bell housing - not a drip, but a stream. It seems to be all or nothing, sometimes it would start and run and no leak, the next time it would pump out the engine lubricant in a couple of hours of running. Dunno - All I know to do is look at the area, evaluate the condition of the crank and bearings, and replace what's necessary.
some pictures for you