[Justang]

Hey folks,

I picked up my 1983 JD 318 last week. After a test drive and short 10 min workout everything seemed to check out- everything worked, no smoking, knocking, anything that would throw up a red flag. The owner said the only issue he had with it was it leaked a little oil. I figured no big deal, I'll run it for the rest of the season and then fix the leak over the winter when I restore it. I brought it home, and it sat for the rest of the week.

Yesterday I got up, changed the oil, and tried to crank it. It wouldn't start at all- choked, no choke, throttle position didn't matter. I played with the carb for about 15 minutes and finally got it started. It seemed to run great! So I let it warm up for about 5 minutes, then got to mowing.

At first, it ran like a dream. But after about 10 minutes, it started smoking. Within another 5 minutes, it would smoke HEAVILY right after coming off a heavy load. It was blowing a TON of oil smoke out the front grill too. Literally it was smoking so badly I couldn't see in front of me so I got scared and shut it off.

After it cooled off for an hour, I checked the oil. It had blown through an ENTIRE PINT of SAE 30 oil in under 20 minutes! There was a HUGE puddle of oil (size of a paint can lid) under the tractor. I pulled off the size covers, hood, and there was oil on/in everything on the engine. In the air box, all over the tin, even oil all over the battery. The motor has 2100 hours on it, and I can tell its been opened up before due to the RTV squeezing out of the oil pan gasket.

I'm thinking (besides being scammed) that I'm a victim of either a no-rebuild or bad rebuild. I'm pulling the engine tonight, so I'll be sure to update. And I was hoping this would be a running project....ugh

Feel free to rip me on not looking this tractor over in enough detail- I guess that's what I get for being a newbie with JDs.

 

[JohnDeere318Guy]

The oil filter adapter gasket may be bad, due to the flywheel blowing oil smoke out the grill, I would fix this ASAP to prevent blowing the engine.

 

[munderhill]

No ripping from me. I'd feel sick to my stomach in your shoes. I only hope you did not pay a lot for the machine and it's in nice shape other than engine.

MU

 

[Justang]

Thanks Fullback- I'll check on that tonight and let you know what I've found.

Munderhill- I paid $800 for it, and its in awesome shape other than the engine. I had planned on just servicing it, cleaning it and painting it....so much for those plans.

 

[SonnyT]

Sorry to hear this. Buying a tractor then having trouble would make me really sick at my stomach!:maddd: not to mention the grief from my better half! Hope it is a simple fix, like a gasket leaking as mentioned.

 

[Justang]

Trust me guys- I am sick to my stomach. Between it leaking oil and blowing smoke out the grill and exhaust, I know I'm going to be nervous when I open that engine up.

Since the burning oil isn't consistent, I'm wondering if the oil being slung by the flywheel/fan is getting sucked into the carb (since there was quite a bit of oil puddling in the air filter box) and that's what is making it "burn oil". Have any of you all heard of that happening? The compression is above 100# on both cylinders, so I would guess the rings are OK.

Speaking of which, now I have another question. My tractor, per the serial number, came with an Onan B43G engine. However, the dataplate on the engine cover is missing! Is the engine model number stamped anywhere else on there so I can confirm what engine I have before I start my rebuild?

 

[Jgj5150]

I have heard LOTS of folks on MTF say they have issues with their 318's sucking oil up the crankcase breather tube, and burning the oil through the carb and generally making a mess like you describe. May be a place to look also.

 

[No Quarter]

Don't feel bad. I did the same thing recently. Got it home and did a compression check. Guess what? Zero on one side - broken connecting rod. I'm new to these also. Had no idea that it could run good on one cylinder and I never did put it under a load. I plan on rebuilding it this fall.

 

[Justang]

Thanks for all the helpful input guys. My panicking has subsided a little. When you've longed for one of these 318's for so long and FINALLY get your hands on one only to feel like you've already destroyed it, it can be a bit upsetting.

I'm starting to lean towards (and HOPE) that the oil filter bracket gasket is shot, allowing oil to leak out and hit the cooling fan, spraying oil all over everything, and up into the intake where it's getting sucked into the carb and burned, causing the puddling in the airbox and smoking.

If this ends up fixing the problem, I'll have lots of pictures and documentation I'll post to make sure others down the road don't panic like I did. If not, then it's rebuild time!

 

[david547]

You said you changed the oil too recently. Maybe it was overfilled or wrong viscosity. Which would push out the breather tube and into carb. I'd check the basics before thinking of a rebuild.


Sent from the MTF Free App

 

[rutdigger]

I'm starting to lean towards (and HOPE) that the oil filter bracket gasket is shot, allowing oil to leak out and hit the cooling fan, spraying oil all over everything, and up into the intake where it's getting sucked into the carb and burned, causing the puddling in the airbox and smoking.

Justang, I can't comment on the smoking issue, but when my P218G blew its oil filter adapter gasket, I had oil in the airbox and a lovely puddle on the floor.

 

[mrbeef]

I am thinking along the lines of everyone else take a hard look at the oil filter adapter and the crankcase breather. Putting the new filter on could have exacerbated the leak and caused all the problems. Make sure you get the engine good a clean before you use it again.

As for identifying a B43G from a P218. The B43 will have points in most cases.... some have been converted to electronic. Next look at the carb, a P218 will have 205 (I think) stamped in the venturi a B43G will have 238 (I think) stamped in the venturi. The flywheels and the flywheel shrouds are alos different. A flywheel on the B43 will have more fins than one from a P218.

Trust my I know the feeling of getting hosed... It happened on my second 318. Turns out there were two different pistons in the engine with 1.5 oz of weight difference. But everything turned out OK. Paid 1600 for the 318, deck, and snowblower. Sold all the parts off the old engine and that funded a partial purchase of a newer engine that went it in. Then I sold the 318 this Spring and pocketed ~100 bucks... not bad from the start but I think on an hourly basis I made about a nickle an hour but it was fun.

 

[Mach-1]

You did fine. 318's in terrible shape with a blown engine can fetch 500 bucks.

Start with a compression test and work it from there. Your engine will most likely need to be gone through, but you will still come out ahead even if you have to rebuild it.

How about some pics??

 

[SEVA318]

Don't rip yourself up. At what you paid you came out all right. Hope you are able to salvage the engine, but even if you can't you just paid a little on the high side for a rolling chassis. Enjoy and start looking for your next one.

 

[capthook]

I got a 318 for $500 with a seized engine. Turns out the starter was stuck on the ring gear. It's running now. The guy put a 48 engine in it as he blew a rod in the original 43 engine. He gave me the old engine and it's going to be my winter project.

 

[chip's]

Sorry to hear of you troubles. I had oil leaks on mine too. The oil filter adapter had a bad gasket and loose bolts. I also had loose and unsealed bolts on the gear case cover. It really made a big mess. I replaced the cover gasket and resealed the bolts when I put them back in using pipe sealant. Good luck with your machine!

 

[Hammerdown]

Hello Justang
I would start by Looking toward's the Rear of the engine first for oil leaks. It sound's as though your Oil leak is coming from a pressurized area in the engine Like seals or Possibly the Oil filter adoptor gasket that fit's up to the block behind the spin on Oil filter adaptor Plate. I would first start in the rear of the engine looking for the leak. Take the rubber 1-1/4" air breather tube off that goes from the air breather base to the top of the flywheel housing sheet metal near the machines fire wall. Look down in there with a light to make sure the rear area of the engine is not covered with oil. If it is Dry back there it is not a rear Main seal. You have to remember that the fly wheel cooling fin's push a lot of air forward to cool the engine so an Oil leak coming out of the front area of the engine could be coming from the rear area of the engine and may be Pushed forward. if that area is dry check the Oil filter adaptor base area. Those commonly leak. If that is dry make sure that the Oil pressure sending unit above the oil filter adaptor base is dry. If all of those area's are free of Oil check the front crankshaft bearing seal. it is behind the PTO and if it is leaking it will Leave a Puddle of oil directly under the front axle area. I hope this helps, Hammerdown

 

[04zrx]

op, I feel your pain I recently bought my 420 and am now dealing with all the things I didn't know to look for when I inspected it.... I will get through it and you will too. Just think of how nice your 318 will be when you get all the gremlins out of it. Don't panic, it will all work out.

 

[Justang]

Guys,

Thanks for the advice and encouragement. I've restored trucks before and have the motor I just dropped in them blow a head gasket 5 minutes down the road, so I'm no stranger to this.

I finished pulling the motor last night. It's now sitting on the workbench. I'll begin pulling the shrouds off tonight to see if I can identify the leak(s). The entire engine, front to back, top to bottom, is coated with oil. I have a feeling its coming from the timing cover or the oil filter adapter gaskets.

I'll also look for the other engine identifiers to see if I can determine what type of engine I have. Judging by the butchering of the wiring harness, I suspect the ignition may have been converted as I don't see any points anywhere.

And yes, I'll post some pictures soon

 

[Justang]

I've attached some pictures, beginning with my bringing it home on my trailer, to the current state of the project w/ engine pulled. Enjoy!