It's been a good run...

notjustair

Well-known Member
...but I found metal flakes in the oil filter housing of the 4020 today. Darn it all. I didn't plan on doing a rebuild on that this year, but I sure don't
need a block with a window in it. She came to this farm new and has had one rebuild that I wasn't involved with. I'm not sure what was reused
or if any corners were cut. It's just been a chore and haying tractor for the last 20 years but she's still a pretty important part as the only tractor
of that HP without a cab. It runs the seed wagon and things like that. I've noticed that compression felt like it was slipping a bit over the last year
or so and it's an even more finicky to start than usual. I'm hoping it will be ok for the seed wagon this year as there wasn't too much metal but
the pan needs to come off soon to see what things look like in there. No knocking or unusual noises, but I sure don't need to wait for that to
start!
 
When you do overhaul it, I would sure be interested in hearing a play by play report about it. My 4020 is using oil, so I,ve been adding Lucas oil treatment and it seems to help. But I know one of these days its going to be a nice,expensive project. I have never rebuilt a diesel before, so will probably need some help from you guys. Good luck to you.
 
Is it ferrous metal, aluminum (piston material) or bearing lining material?

If ferrous, the problem MAY be as simple as a cam lobe or two and their tappet(s) eating each other for lunch.

I'd have a look at valve lift with a dial indicator, if that's a possibility, before a complete teardown.
 
I rebuilt mine with a John Deere engine kit and it will start no matter how cold workout ether or plugged in
 
How easily does it start? I'm by no means an expert, but if it starts easily and doesn't use oil then I would drop the pan and check a couple of rod and main inserts. I can't imagine replacing the bottom end could be all that much of a cost/problem in an inframe upgrade. In my area, bottom ends go first on diesels, tops on gassers.
 


You are very lucky!! You caught it before catastrophic failure and you have time to get it taken care of before planting.
 
You should thank the machine shop who rebuilt your head for the good starting. How the valves are set is much more important than what engine kit you use but Deere does have a good quality kit. Tom
 
There's a good chance that if you take a sample of your oil, take it to your dealer, he can send it off to JD and have it analyzed to tell you what is going on. They can tell a lot from what is in it....
 

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