AFidler
New Member
Good day,
Been lurking on the forum for a while now and finally have a reason to post... I'm looking at a Case 850 dozer with the 6 way blade and 4cyl diesel engine, believe it to be a mid 70's model. Seller states that he was using it last year to push some logging roads on his own property when the torque converter temp went up into the yellow and it proceeded to loose pushing power. Once it cools down, it would push for 15 minutes before doing the same thing and loosing power. Seller parked it in July 2024 and hasn't touched it since.
We looked at the dozer yesterday, pretty decent looking machine for being around 50 years old. Checked all the fluids and noticed oil was maybe 1/4" above full, coolant was bright green and good, hydraulic was empty but seller said he thought there was water in it so he drained it before winter. After putting some fresh hydraulic fluid in it, new batteries and a jug of diesel, it fired up easily and ran good. We let it idle for 5-10min before trying to move the dozer. Pressure never came up for torque converter or trans pressure so we assumed low fluid. Seller proceeded to rev the engine for a few minutes to try and build pressure but no dice. However when he revved it higher trying to build pressure, a knock developed, sounded almost like injector knock, similar in sound to using ether to start a diesel, didn't last long and wasn't noticeable at a lower rpm. Seller shut the machine down shortly afterwards, checked the transmission fluid, found it was low and added 2 gallons to bring it up to the full mark.
Went to restart the machine and found that it seemed like the starter or battery was getting weak, it did start but had a sound similar to a squealing belt going on. Ran for maybe 2-3 min while we tried to move the machine again before it started running rough, stumbling and stalled. Seller assumed fuel filter's could have been dirty so cleaned the bowl on the injection pump and went to restart. Engine seemed like it was getting tighter and starter was struggling to turn engine over, it did start and ran for maybe 5 seconds before stalling with the loud squealing noise as mentioned before. Tried cranking again and starter just clunked. Pulled starter and tried to use bar to turn motor over but it's stuck. Pulled injectors thinking maybe hydralock but no luck. While looking in the torque converter housing, it appeared to be oily and have a bit of junk floating around in there.
So questions here... I believe this has the 301bd diesel 4cyl engine. From what I've read, they are prone to spun bearings. If that's the case, is the motor repairable or am I looking for a used motor or repower? After all this happened, checked oil again and seemed like the oil was thin and more of a grey color. Obviously won't know for sure until it's torn down, just trying to figure out if the machine is worth purchasing.
Is there anything else that could lock the motor up like that? Looking at the diagram, it looks like there's gears in the torque converter case that drive the charge and hydraulic pumps? Would something getting stuck in those gears be possible?
The torque converter housing having oil in it with the transmission being low on fluid... Seems likely that there's a leak in the torque converter? I've read a bunch about the charge pumps being suspect and the suction lines collapsing so would look into that as well but the fluid has to be going somewhere.
Overall the machine appears in decent shape, hour meter does work, not sure if its original but shows 2200hr. Used to belong to the local telephone company until the seller purchased it 8 years ago. Undercarriage still has lots of life left and hydraulics seemed strong when it was running. Needs the lift cylinders repacked and a couple hydraulic lines replaced. Seller was asking $5K but now with the motor being locked up, we're not sure what a fair price is.
Any input is greatly appreciated. Dozer would be for maintaining a long driveway and dirt road to cabin. Have the means to fix it myself and seller is able to float it to my place, he's about a 125km away (80 Miles).
Been lurking on the forum for a while now and finally have a reason to post... I'm looking at a Case 850 dozer with the 6 way blade and 4cyl diesel engine, believe it to be a mid 70's model. Seller states that he was using it last year to push some logging roads on his own property when the torque converter temp went up into the yellow and it proceeded to loose pushing power. Once it cools down, it would push for 15 minutes before doing the same thing and loosing power. Seller parked it in July 2024 and hasn't touched it since.
We looked at the dozer yesterday, pretty decent looking machine for being around 50 years old. Checked all the fluids and noticed oil was maybe 1/4" above full, coolant was bright green and good, hydraulic was empty but seller said he thought there was water in it so he drained it before winter. After putting some fresh hydraulic fluid in it, new batteries and a jug of diesel, it fired up easily and ran good. We let it idle for 5-10min before trying to move the dozer. Pressure never came up for torque converter or trans pressure so we assumed low fluid. Seller proceeded to rev the engine for a few minutes to try and build pressure but no dice. However when he revved it higher trying to build pressure, a knock developed, sounded almost like injector knock, similar in sound to using ether to start a diesel, didn't last long and wasn't noticeable at a lower rpm. Seller shut the machine down shortly afterwards, checked the transmission fluid, found it was low and added 2 gallons to bring it up to the full mark.
Went to restart the machine and found that it seemed like the starter or battery was getting weak, it did start but had a sound similar to a squealing belt going on. Ran for maybe 2-3 min while we tried to move the machine again before it started running rough, stumbling and stalled. Seller assumed fuel filter's could have been dirty so cleaned the bowl on the injection pump and went to restart. Engine seemed like it was getting tighter and starter was struggling to turn engine over, it did start and ran for maybe 5 seconds before stalling with the loud squealing noise as mentioned before. Tried cranking again and starter just clunked. Pulled starter and tried to use bar to turn motor over but it's stuck. Pulled injectors thinking maybe hydralock but no luck. While looking in the torque converter housing, it appeared to be oily and have a bit of junk floating around in there.
So questions here... I believe this has the 301bd diesel 4cyl engine. From what I've read, they are prone to spun bearings. If that's the case, is the motor repairable or am I looking for a used motor or repower? After all this happened, checked oil again and seemed like the oil was thin and more of a grey color. Obviously won't know for sure until it's torn down, just trying to figure out if the machine is worth purchasing.
Is there anything else that could lock the motor up like that? Looking at the diagram, it looks like there's gears in the torque converter case that drive the charge and hydraulic pumps? Would something getting stuck in those gears be possible?
The torque converter housing having oil in it with the transmission being low on fluid... Seems likely that there's a leak in the torque converter? I've read a bunch about the charge pumps being suspect and the suction lines collapsing so would look into that as well but the fluid has to be going somewhere.
Overall the machine appears in decent shape, hour meter does work, not sure if its original but shows 2200hr. Used to belong to the local telephone company until the seller purchased it 8 years ago. Undercarriage still has lots of life left and hydraulics seemed strong when it was running. Needs the lift cylinders repacked and a couple hydraulic lines replaced. Seller was asking $5K but now with the motor being locked up, we're not sure what a fair price is.
Any input is greatly appreciated. Dozer would be for maintaining a long driveway and dirt road to cabin. Have the means to fix it myself and seller is able to float it to my place, he's about a 125km away (80 Miles).
