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Is this a problem?

S

sflem849

Well-known Member
Here are the pistons from my "new" WD-9. I am trying to decide on taking the head in just to get checked or to do a full head job on it.
What causes something like this? Should I worry about it?
#1
2286.jpg

#4
2287.jpg
 
Seeing your in this far, I would do a full tear down if funds are available. Seeing the top of #4, it looks like a detonation problem at some point. Lean condition, timing advanced too far or a poorly seated valve. Either way, she ignited before it was supposed to.
If all cylinders looked like the first photo, I would say run with it.
 
I hope tractor vet responds. #1 looks like moisture got in at one time. Maybe #4 was the same only longer. Had it been sitting a while without running?
 
(quoted from post at 19:25:07 08/02/11) I hope tractor vet responds. #1 looks like moisture got in at one time. Maybe #4 was the same only longer. Had it been sitting a while without running?
Click to expand...

I don't know a ton about it. I know it was in for a new head gasket/cracked head when the PO sold it to me. He said it ran well when it was hot, but would miss on one cyl until warm. He said that cyl had a washed out precup and that was probably the issue.
 
What does the liner look like in these two holes?
If there's evidence of pitting or discoloration then probably was caused by water sitting in the cylinder. Most likely more damage in the ring lands and to the rings themselves. Otherwise as was mentioned the erosion could be from detonation.

That number 4 is real iffy. Would function as a parade tractor but no good for laboring. Considering it's a diesel and the relative scarcity of wd-9's I would start planning a complete do-over!
 
I don't have too much experience with older tractor engines. With their lower compression I wouldn't think detonation/pre-ignition would be much of a problem. But I'm probably very wrong.

They both look funny to me for detonation/pre-ignition damange, but #4 most closely resembles the kind of pre-ignition damage I've seen before in car engines.

How did the plugs look? the heads? valves?

A lot of things cause detonation/pre-ignition - usually very lean fuel/air mixture, high heat, timing being off etc. Hard to say without knowing all the facts, but a lean mix is usually involved.

If it were a higher compression engine, I'd say you absolutely have to change out those pistons or they will cause more pre-ignition trouble, and you'll be sorry you didn't when they burn through. Not to mention what that'll do to your newly worked head.

But with the lower compression in this engine, I can't say it's absolutely necessary. If you don't change them, I'd definitely run it on the rich side.

I'm sure somebody on this site as seen this before and can offer more advice. I just found the pictures interesting - thanks for posting.
 
pull #4 and go from there. i wouldnt put that together. could have possible ring lands damage.
 
Ahhhh - I just read centex's posting. I didn't realize this was a diesel.

So I'd be real nervous about running that piston in #4
 
When I get an engine this far apart, I re-do the head and replace the rings. Much easier now than later.
 
Here is a picture of #4 down. It doesn't look bad on the sleeve to me. I will get a better picture later.
2288.jpg


I didn't replace the rings in my MD when I had the head off. Now that I think about it, it wouldn't have been too hard. Where do you stop with these things!?!
 
The neighbor came over to inspect it and he said it was probably from coolant leaking in from a bad head/head gasket. He said for what I will do with it anything should probably work. He suggested pulling the pistons and running a ball hone in the cyls. He said to throw new rings in it for what it's worth. He said anything else would start to get REAL crazy.
I can only imagine what it would cost to go nuts on this engine. Anybody have any good used 4.5" WD-9, 600, or 650 engine guts laying around? :lol:
 
I understand that the sulfur in the fuel combines with water to become sulfuric acid which etches the parts it contacts.
 
Since it is a diesel.....
I would first price what a kit would cost for pistons & sleeves, then pistons & rings only to fit your present sleeves, also depends on whether the head has any cracks after being magnafluxed.
It depends on how much you are willing to spend at present. If it were mine I would at least replace the pistons & rings for now.
It would be costly to go with both pistons & sleeves, but at least they would match hole for hole. Fitting pistons into existing sleeves can be time consuming & frustrating sometimes, I would get some expert help on that one, so it ends up being a trade off.
 
Since it is a diesel...no kit. You have to piece it all together. I'm not really sure where you go to get the pieces, but I know I have read they are not available as a kit (like the gassers) I'm going to try RustyFarmall. Any other suggestions are appreciated.

I dropped the head off at the machine shop and I will go from there. They are going to clean it out and then test it. If it leaks I might have some WD-9 parts for sale. If it is good why not go for the gold. :lol:
 
From what I can see of the sleeve in the last photo set, you could probably hone it and put new rings and go, provided bore taper mikes within reason. See if you can locate two good used pistons.

Try Steel Wheel Ranch for good used. Weber tractor (or is it Webers?) for NOS. Weber has a pretty good web site.
 
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