John Deere 830 starting motor

Clay Schwartz · Jul 15, 2017

Hi, I am currently trying to revive my Dad's old 830. I have it running and driving quite nicely but we have to pull it to start it as the pony motor seems to be seized. It looks like my dad was checking for spark a few years ago and left one plug out of the hole letting moisture in. Does anyone have any idea's on how to get it turning again? i cant find anyplace to pry on the pony motor flywheel. If not, has anyone out there rebuilt one of these little engines. Wondering if its easier just doing it right on the tractor or removing it and doing it on a bench. Hoping someone out there might have some advice.

Thanks in advance, Clay S.
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rmcky · Jul 15, 2017

The only place I know of to pry is on the flywheel at the timing cover, (near the green screw driver in the second picture). Difficult to overhaul on the tractor, as you have no access to the rods, they are accessed through a plate on the bottom of the starting engine. I have only overhauled with the starting engine out on the work bench. Good luck

David from Kansas · Jul 15, 2017

You might want to take a look at some youtube videos that show step by step removal and overhaul of the starting engine. I think it was an 820 but would be very nearly the same for an 830. Or, remove it and replace with one already rebuilt, which are available for about 2 grand.

Mark-Ia · Jul 15, 2017

www.foreverdeere.com has rebuilt pony motors or parts.

BushogPapa · Jul 15, 2017

As with any "Stuck Motor", patience AND more patience is required...

Many have their own "Pet Remedies", but filling that cylinder with a mix of ATF and Acetone will penetrate as well as anything..give it a week ( at least) to penetrate and do what it can).

Be patient...that pony engine is not only fragile, but expensive...!!

Dan in Ohio · Jul 15, 2017

Contact Ryan Lind at foreverdeere and get a rebuilt engine as I did for my 80.

JD Seller · Jul 15, 2017

The fellow below have given you good advice on what to do with your pony motor if your going to repair it. Myself I would switch it over to electric start. I hated pony motor starting systems regardless what they where on. You ruin the reliability of a diesel by putting a small gas motor on it.

GreenEnvy · Jul 16, 2017

We went through the same thing on my uncle's 820. It had been sitting outside for 15 years and when we rescued it the pony was stuck. We pulled it off and sat it on a bench to work on it. Didn't take much to get it unstuck after we took the heads off. Those pistons are awfully small. Put new rings in it and reinstalled the engine and she runs good. That was 20 years ago and the engine has never given us any problems and certainly hasn't made the tractor less reliable.

buickanddeere · Jul 16, 2017

Electric start devalues the diesel and makes it look like a quickest, fastest and easiest patchup job rather than a repair.
Starting engine problems are due to operator error and lack of service rather than a design error.

widetrack · Jul 16, 2017

P-B blaster little engine get a gallon fill cylinders full leave plugs off ! Refill when needed. Check pony eng oil you'll see & smell P-B in oil pan. Lock clutch & decompression lever on w/ handy dandy lock by your left foot . You should be able to rock big engine flywheel back in forth & remember your geared up your trying to spin pony . By hand Mabey small bar on Diesel engine. That's pony has small parts rods& Pistons RINGS !! Remember to drain oil if you get un stuck ( It Drains in diesel crankcase ) kind of like 2 of 1 deal .

Clay Schwartz · Jul 22, 2017

Hi, So I tried rocking the big flywheel with engine engaged but no luck. However the plugs show no sign of condensation whatsoever. I have filled each cylinder with a mixture and letting it sit. the flywheel
compartment is solid rust. Do you think i would damage anything if i filled that flywheel case with diesel fuel or something to eat away at that rust? Kinda a last resort to pulling the pony out

widetrack · Jul 22, 2017

(quoted from post at 22:22:58 07/22/17) Hi, So I tried rocking the big flywheel with engine engaged but no luck. However the plugs show no sign of condensation whatsoever. I have filled each cylinder with a mixture and letting it sit. the flywheel
compartment is solid rust. Do you think i would damage anything if i filled that flywheel case with diesel fuel or something to eat away at that rust? Kinda a last resort to pulling the pony out

If I'm think RIGHT???? . flywheel has DRY clutch no need to add to problems. I can't remember does ' pony have water pipeline coming off engine to big engine ? If it does drain water make up lines to go to little eng only. Warm up water running through little eng ( hot water) hot water heater. Expand block . Let it cool down .Do it a couple times 5-10 times. Let engine soak let rings & Pistons get your home Brew mix. I think you can pull pony heads look at putting some heat on Pistons . Instead of pulling engine . Give it time .

Clay Schwartz · Jul 22, 2017

Thanks for the advice, sounds like youve been at this for a while. I am a machinist by trade so definatly understand the heat thing on the engine block. My dad signed the farmstead over to me so i have about a
dozen old tractors to work on. This one was my first choice then maybe look into a 530 JD

widetrack · Jul 22, 2017

(quoted from post at 23:36:03 07/22/17) Thanks for the advice, sounds like youve been at this for a while. I am a machinist by trade so definatly understand the heat thing on the engine block. My dad signed the farmstead over to me so i have about a
dozen old tractors to work on. This one was my first choice then maybe look into a 530 JD

Hey don't take heads off till you try warming up pony several times! Water goes in block& head . IF it won't loose up then take heads off .But I'd let it soak a good while. Those small engine have small parts .good luck.

Ragnarok · Jul 22, 2017

Pour 'Marvel Mystery Oil' in the cylinders and let it set for a few days. I've unlocked everything from 350 Chevy truck engines to Jing Dong Honda knock-off go-kart motors with Marvel Mystery Oil

John Deere 830 starting motor

Clay Schwartz

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rmcky

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David from Kansas

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Mark-Ia

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BushogPapa

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Dan in Ohio

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JD Seller

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GreenEnvy

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buickanddeere

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widetrack

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Clay Schwartz

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widetrack

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Clay Schwartz

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Ragnarok

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