case 580b backhoe overheat & shutdown: head gasket?

ironandsteel · Oct 16, 2019

I think I did a bad, bad thing.
I was using my old 580B pretty hard the other day, and didn't notice that the temperature was getting high until it just sort of wound down and stopped. The temp gauge was pegged, and I was hearing a tone like a hum coming from the radiator which was boiling.

At the time, I figured that I had just run it out of fuel. A couple days later, I came back and added some fuel- but it wasn't empty. Crap.

I cranked it and it did start- albeit not as immediately as normal. I let it warm up a bit, but it has no power at all. It will lift the bucket, but stalls if you try to press down, or drive.

The machine is mired in very deep rotted hay, which is what I was trying to dig out.

Did I likely blow a head gasket? I plan to top off the coolant, run it and look for oil.

Adirondack case guy · Oct 16, 2019

I never really heard of head gaskets blowing because of overheating, but very
frequently a blown head gasket will cause overheating. You said that it stalled out,
which indicates to me that you may have scored some pistons from the overheating, and
now the rings are stuck and it has low compression, and perhaps even a cracked head
explaining the hard starting.
Likely not the news that you want to hear.
Loren

ironandsteel · Oct 16, 2019

(quoted from post at 20:33:56 10/16/19) I never really heard of head gaskets blowing because of overheating, but very
frequently a blown head gasket will cause overheating. You said that it stalled out,
which indicates to me that you may have scored some pistons from the overheating, and
now the rings are stuck and it has low compression, and perhaps even a cracked head
explaining the hard starting.
Likely not the news that you want to hear.
Loren

I have a diesel compression tester, so I guess that would tell the tale.

Janicholson · Oct 16, 2019

Heat beyond 240 focuses where the temp rise is greatest, and coolant is the first to go away, the head. I have seen probably 5 head gaskets go by-by from overheating, even if the issue was a leaky hose. I think there is a good chance that the rings have lost their temper, and major engine repair is needed. The fact that there was a noisy rad cap, might indicate salvation. as the repairs might be only top end. I wish him luck. Jim

Steve@Advance · Oct 16, 2019

I would say 90% of head gasket failures are initiated by overheating.

Run low on coolant, bad thermostat, or lack of air flow warps the head, loosens the bolts, the head gasket starts leaking.

Then when the coolant is replaced the symptoms begin to show.

But in this case, I suspect galled cylinders, stuck rings, and probably a head gasket that will leak coolant sooner or later "if" it will run.

Hartman · Oct 16, 2019

Ohh...feel for you there..if repair not
an option, i have a 580b that has a good
motor that i would let go...

case 580b backhoe overheat & shutdown: head gasket?

ironandsteel

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Adirondack case guy

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ironandsteel

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Janicholson

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Steve@Advance

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Hartman

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