Dave H (MI)
Well-known Member
For anyone who might happen to remember my efforts on my first year growing corn in 2014, I thought you might like to know what happened to the old IH diesel engine. To refresh your memory, the combine (first year I owned it, first time I used it on a field) worked extremely well on my small test plot of corn. Toward the end of the day the old 863 head started to have issues but nothing with the combine until I went to unload the last of my corn. Heading across to the wagon the engine huffed a black cloud out the breather and from thence forward seemed to run fine except for a pronounced ticking sound. Out of necessity I have had to run it a couple times...once to get it out of the way for Spring planting and a couple times for mechanics. Ticking only getting louder. There was a lot of speculation here as to the issue and it's cause. The issue is now known, the cause is still a matter of speculation.
I hired an experienced diesel mechanic to consult with me and do the work. Figured I had done enough damage, time to get a pro. Dealer came down and removed the engine and off it went to the fellas shop. The engine spun a connecting rod bearing for the #3 cylinder. There was no other damage in the engine. Very clean, tight engine in all other regards. I am left with the conclusion that I ran her low on oil. Not going to go into all the ways we checked and thought we were good. It does not matter....damage was done and I really cannot see what else would cause it. Should have it back in one piece within a couple weeks. Then y'all get to suffer thru my efforts harvesting oats.
Combine has recovered...gonna take me a little longer...
I hired an experienced diesel mechanic to consult with me and do the work. Figured I had done enough damage, time to get a pro. Dealer came down and removed the engine and off it went to the fellas shop. The engine spun a connecting rod bearing for the #3 cylinder. There was no other damage in the engine. Very clean, tight engine in all other regards. I am left with the conclusion that I ran her low on oil. Not going to go into all the ways we checked and thought we were good. It does not matter....damage was done and I really cannot see what else would cause it. Should have it back in one piece within a couple weeks. Then y'all get to suffer thru my efforts harvesting oats.
Combine has recovered...gonna take me a little longer...