Ford 3000 Diesel won't crank over

Rob03 · Mar 5, 2015

I posted this on the Ford forum also but thought that I would post here to.
Need help! I am working on a 3000 diesel. The owner of the tractor was using it and stalled the engine. He tried to start it but it would not turn over, the starter would only click. He then tried to pull start it in hi gear but said that the rear wheels wouldn't turn over they would only drag and this was on asphalt. I picked the tractor up and brought it to the garage, had starter checked and replaced it. Dropped oil pan and checked bottom end found nothing. Pulled valve cover and checked for bent push rods found nothing. Pulled injectors out and tried cranking the engine, turned over about 1 1/2 times and now doing the same thing as before. Charged battery over night and tried again today, still nothing. I put a scope down into the cylinder everything looks o.k.. Could he have broken the input shaft from the transmission to the engine? I'm stuck on this one and need some help.

Thanks, Robbie Morris

Dave from Texas · Mar 5, 2015

I am sure you have tried this but try to turn by hand and see where it stops.

Steve@Advance · Mar 5, 2015

Will the tractor roll in gear with the clutch released? And then lock the wheels with the clutch engaged? If so, that narrows it down to the engine, not the transmission, not the clutch.

Since it tried to turn, turned the 1 1/2 turns and stopped, something is seized.

Will the crank turn any at all? As in watching very carefully while prying back and forth, looking for microscopic movement. If there is no movement, even try end to end, then there is a seized main bearing. If there is "some" movement, trace it down to what's not moving.

There will be side to side movement in each connecting rod. Feel them out, make sure each will move. Then apply turning leverage to the crank. Check for side to side rod movement again. If one won't move, that piston is seized.

If all that checks out, start removing accessories, hydraulic pumps, etc. Look under the front cover. Just a matter of disassembling until you find it.

Ultradog MN · Mar 5, 2015

As I suggested on the Ford board, pull the transmission cover and see if it is stuck in two gears.

old · Mar 5, 2015

Lock the clutch pedal down and see if it spins over. If it does could have water/ice in the transmission or locked in 2 gears. If it still will not turn over with the clutch locked down good chance it got diesel fuel in the oil and that will lock up and engine. If that happened fill the cylinders with turpentine and let it sit a week or so

Rob03 · Mar 5, 2015

I can bar the engine over with the starter removed and using a bar on the flywheel, seems tight to me. I thought about being stuck in gear, but wouldn't the tractor try to move when cranking over? I do have side to side movement on the rods, I didn't drop any of the mains down to check the bearings.

Ultradog MN · Mar 5, 2015

Old makes a good point. Lock the clutch down and see if it will turn over. If so you know it's not in the engine.

old · Mar 5, 2015

If stuck in 2 gears no the tractor would not move because of being stuck in 2 gears and they would fight each other. If you can bar it over and stuck in 2 gears you would be slipping the clutch if it is not pushed down.
So that all said what transmission does it have???

Rob03 · Mar 5, 2015

I held the clutch down and it made no difference. I did pull the top on the transmission and no gears were stuck. I guess I'll pull the engine and go from there.

old · Mar 5, 2015

Before pulling the engine try filling the cylinders wit ha 50/50 mix if ATF and turpentine and let ti sit a few days. Only thing you have to loose is a few $$ but if that works will save a hundred of more $$

guido · Mar 5, 2015

Hello Rog03,

You said the engine can be turned by hand. If it turns that way, you should try turning the crank 360 3 times. That would eliminate valves out of adjustment, and verify that none of the valves or push rods are interfering with the engine. Remember that It takes 720 degrees on crankshaft rotation to complete a firing cycle. Is it the same starter? Same flywheel?
Valve out of adjustments can be one reason for the hard turning. If the tranny is stuck in gear, you can verify that by jacking the wheels off the ground. It stuck in two gears, then the transmission cover has to come to check for that,

Guido.

2underage · Mar 5, 2015

I wouldn't bet the farm but I would bet the fence posts that your Ford has a seized bearing. It is most likely a rod bearing but it could be a main bearing that is seized.
I have had a tractor stall and then not turn over and it was a bearing and I had a similar happening with a truck. There is no easy fix.

Let us know when you find the problem!

Janicholson · Mar 5, 2015

Great advice well stated. Jim

phil_n · Mar 5, 2015

He said it turned over 1 1/2 times. How could it be seized? If it's seized it wouldn't turn over. I know absolutely nothing about these engines but as it went 1 1/2 turns I'm wondering if there is any possibility that a valve may be interfering with a piston?

MJ in the UK · Mar 6, 2015

Look for a broken crankshaft?. MJ

Ford 3000 Diesel won't crank over

Rob03

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Dave from Texas

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Steve@Advance

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Ultradog MN

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old

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Rob03

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Ultradog MN

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old

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Rob03

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