John Deere 911

[daveshoe]

Changed oil in a JD 4630 150 horsepower and observed a piece of aluminum in the waste oil. This piece was intact and was a very thin cylinder shape-- but it was a hollow cylinder. the walls of the cylinder were prabably . 002 or so. I can also tell that it was once in a circular shape-- probably a diameter of 1 1/2 inches or so. The diameter of the hollow cylinder is about a sixteenth of an inch or less.

A better description of the shape is a doughnut that is hollow.

Also note that this tractor has a baffeling around the oil pan so this piece could have been in there since the rebuild only 1200 hours ago.

If this is a bearing starting to spin, can I use the beast for 40 hours in the field? It will not have to pull a heavy load- just need the weight and hydraulics for a 20 foot bean drill.

Please advise as it is Easter and all the dealers are closed.

 

[B.G. Smith]

Spun bearing

Wow, that's a tough question. Have you seen a drop in oil pressure since the rebuild? Was there bearing failure before the rebuild, if so, the crank would have had to have replacement/repair? The rod/main bearings would not be aluminum, it might contain aluminum but would be an alloy with copper, lead etc. Wish I could be of more help. bg

 

[A Johnson]

I am not familiar with this engine but, why don't you cut open the old oil filter and check for metal in the pleets. If there is metal you pretty much know the game is over. Also I have never seen a bearing that was starting to spin, that remained safe to operate under any conditions even idle. Once a bearing starts to go it is usually a fairly rapid degredation.



Is it possible to post a picture of the item?



A Johnson

 

[bighammer]

If I'm reading this right, it sounds like a piece of something rather than a shaving? I can't picture what it would be a part of, though.



Maybe it was sitting in the pan for a while and isn't from anything important. Did you see it come out? How did you find it?

 

[illflem]

I pulled an aluminum split pin about . 25'' in diameter and 1. 5'' inches long out of the waste oil on a 4020 JD the third oil change after it was new. JD had no idea what it came from said not to worry, I didn't, tractor is now over 25 years old and still going strong.



Also found a solid steel pin on the hydraulic drain plug magnet of a MF when it was new. MF tore the tractor down under warranty and couldn't find where it came from. Again the tractor now has over 5000 trouble free hours.



Hate to say it but if doctors can leave forceps inside patents there's even more chances workers on an assembly line might occasionally leave an extra part inside an engine or gearbox.

 

[R.E. Miller]

It almost sounds like one of the little metal pieces out of an L-10/M-11 cummins valve cover lid, but I guess it is something different. Is the part you found symmetrical? Aluminum is typically piston garbage, but as you have described it can't be. Pull the filter, like they stated above, it's the real tell-tale.



Russell

 

[EMD Diesel Power]

Not familiar with this engine either..... but I concur with everyone else... . check the filter for debris and take note of the oil pressure differential if there was any.



Check oil condition too... . fuel dilution? coolant dilution? most likely a dead end... but doesnt hurt to bring it up.



If the bearing has spun... . its not safe to operate at all..... oil hole blockage is a big possibility and if the case, the bearing will fry fast... not to mention the $$$ for a new crank.



If there isnt any debris in filter and there isnt any pressure loss... . you just may have one of those cases that illflem talked about... ... its happenend before.

 

[daveshoe]

I Think it was ??

The end crimp off a grease gun tube refill. If it was put in during the rebuild, it probably floated around untill it wore out enough to become broken then one end worked its way out the oil drain hole. I did have some issues with some tresspassing kids last year. it may be possible that they put some stuff in the oil sump . I have saved the old oil and will screen it. Will cut the filter and check it as well.

 

[illflem]

Maybe one of the rebuilders tossed the poptop ring off his breaktime beer in your engine.

 

[daveshoe]

Talked to JD tech

Crimp ring was not any part of the engine, they said no worries if oil looks good.