Greenmech 1928 head issues

[Treerover]

Hello all.

I’ve an old Greenmech 1928 road tow that we abused heavily by continuously overheating it , most likely as a result of the head gasket going.

It’s been parked up for a few years but have recently had put on a new turbo head gasket, second (and final) tightening of the stretch bolts and over 6 flushes of the coolant with proprietary coolant flushes.

It’s also had a replacement head that was second hand and ‘appeared ‘ in good condition and was straight with a metal rule.

Unfortunately the chap effecting the repair advised against getting it pressure tested as he thought it ok.

Unfortunately it’s still putting a lot of oil into the water and is after 3 days and a bottle of Steel Seal not revving in a consistent manner and blowing white smoke. Not loads of back pressure in the water though .

Any advice ?

Do these LE1 blocks suffer from numpties like me desperately abusing them ? They’re cast so I’d have thought pretty tough compared to the other slightly weaker links.

Incidentally, when it did chip for the couple of days it chipped flawlessly but then the temp sensor shut it off. We managed 2 more good loads without issue but then today on day 3 it went quickly downhill with the inconsistent revs and smoke . Thick black oil atop the rad .

 

Any rays of hope or the most logical path to follow would be warmly received.

Thank you in advance

[s o c]

If you are lucky , head gasket and  get head skimmed this time if no hairline cracks in head.

might not be that lucky though.

Sorry.

[GA Groundcare]

The problem with cracked heads is you cannot usually tell they are cracked by the naked eye. Only when warmed up the crack will reveal its ugly head. Compression test doesn't usually show the issue either.

 

Bottom end wise, the Isuzu lumps usually either fail big time with a rod out the block or not at all from experience.

 

I appreciate you're referring to Isuzu but as reference. On the past 10 overheating Kubota engines (mowers and different makes of chipper) with similar symptoms to yours we have had in the workshop only 1 has not cracked the head.  

 

The last one on a commercial mower had so much water in the bores it pitted the pistons and wall behind repair!!

[Treerover]

The problem with cracked heads is you cannot usually tell they are cracked by the naked eye. Only when warmed up the crack will reveal its ugly head. Compression test doesn't usually show the issue either.
 
Bottom end wise, the Isuzu lumps usually either fail big time with a rod out the block or not at all from experience.
 
I appreciate you're referring to Isuzu but as reference. On the past 10 overheating Kubota engines (mowers and different makes of chipper) with similar symptoms to yours we have had in the workshop only 1 has not cracked the head.  
 
The last one on a commercial mower had so much water in the bores it pitted the pistons and wall behind repair!!

Thanks for your reply . Are you saying that it’s not viable to get this head tested then do you think ?

Kind of encouraging though that the probability of it being the head over the block is high.

Many thanks indeed [emoji1303][emoji1307]

[GA Groundcare]

By all means get the old head tested by a machine shop. For the cost of it it's worth a shot. Just don't be shocked if its shagged! 

 

Our advice would be.... Compression test it to see if your bottom end / rings appear in good health. Whip the head off and inspect what you can of the bores and get the head to somewhere for testing. Otherwise you're just guessing at your possible problems. Spend the money, do it right, do it once (more). Well put together engine should last you years and years!

 

And make sure that radiator is properly cleaned out, remove it to do so if you need to...

[Treerover]

By all means get the old head tested by a machine shop. For the cost of it it's worth a shot. Just don't be shocked if its shagged! 
 
Our advice would be.... Compression test it to see if your bottom end / rings appear in good health. Whip the head off and inspect what you can of the bores and get the head to somewhere for testing. Otherwise you're just guessing at your possible problems. Spend the money, do it right, do it once (more). Well put together engine should last you years and years!
 
And make sure that radiator is properly cleaned out, remove it to do so if you need to...

Many thanks for this. I shall do exactly this and pray the head is salvageable [emoji1317][emoji1317]

[Treerover]

By all means get the old head tested by a machine shop. For the cost of it it's worth a shot. Just don't be shocked if its shagged! 
 
Our advice would be.... Compression test it to see if your bottom end / rings appear in good health. Whip the head off and inspect what you can of the bores and get the head to somewhere for testing. Otherwise you're just guessing at your possible problems. Spend the money, do it right, do it once (more). Well put together engine should last you years and years!
 
And make sure that radiator is properly cleaned out, remove it to do so if you need to...

As an aside, should I find the head un salvageable (as I do personally most Monday mornings!) , have you any experience of the Chinese offerings or are they a mixed bag of pot luck like so many Chinese parts seem to be ?