TS100 Engine Issue

lfc

Member
I have a TS100 with an Alamo boom mower and about 1200 hours on it. It's an open station so I wear hearing protectors. This summer while mowing, I adjusted my hearing protectors and noticed the engine had a pretty loud rattle. Shut it off, checked the water pump, checked the drive to the front-mounted engine-driven hydraulic pump and all was good. Started it a couple weeks later and same issue. Went back several weeks after that and the engine wouldn't turn either direction when putting a pipe wrench on the front pump driveshaft. Finally got around to looking at it more today, and after a good tug on the pump shaft the engine turned backwards but will only go 3/4 turn before it sounds like something hits inside the engine. I can turn it now the same 3/4 turn before it stops. I can't believe it is an internal failure as it was running fine (other than the rattle) the last time we ran it. Pulled the starter and no issues with the starter drive. I read that a leaky injector could cause an engine to rattle due to preignition, but is it possible it could leak enough while sitting to hydrolock the engine? I find it hard to believe it could leak that much through the injection pump, especially with the fuel tank mounted low but figured I'd ask. Next step I guess is to pull the injectors, but even that is quite a project since the mower blocks most of the access to the engine.
 
My starting point would be to remove the drive shaft to the mower pump and see where that gets you. If it still won't turn, then I'd pull injectors and see if a cylinder is full of water or otherwise hydro locked. Beyond that.... you could be digging deep.

Rod
 
Rod,
The noise it makes when it stops turning is definitely coming from the rear of the engine, so I'm pretty sure the pump isn't the issue. I hadn't thought about a head gasket leak as I'm not sure I can blame the original rattle on a bad gasket? I'll pull the injectors next - even that won't be easy with the mower in the way - but anything more than that won't be fun at all and may have to wait until spring. Even sliding the front bolster forward to remove the oil pan will require a lot of work unbolting the mower frame.
 
Sounds like it will be time well spent to remove the mower assembly until this problem is figured out. That's the first thing the dealer would do if you took it in.
 
Unfortunately the mower frame is quite substantial and bolts to the rear axle and the front bolster, in addition to a heavy tube that passes up around the hood and ties the two sides together. The mower
weighs about as much as the tractor. If needed, I think I can still remove the front bolster and slide the engine forward as usual.
 
I'd definitely drop the mower if you don't find the problem at the front. I really can't think of much in there that would be simple beyond whats stated already.

Rod
 

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