Flooded cat d5g

[Ryan6585]

Looking at buying a 2006 d5g that was flooded new. Guy bought out a whole dealership in Louisiana, got them running and then sat until now. Dozer is actually clean and not rusty, pretty sure water got into cab. Being that it has been sitting up for 20 years I wanted to make sure I do it right and not try to rush putting power to it without cleaning all of the connections and such. Yes I know I could be in for a hell of a time with it , I have a huge shop with overhead cranes and mechanically inclined and love a challenge.

 

[Shimmy1]

Better just budget for complete drivetrain now. If it didn't get ran enough to dry all the water out of the system after it was flushed clean, it might be rusted tight.

 

[Ryan6585]

I definitely didn’t want to try to turn it over until I got it back to my shop, I can handle the motor I’m worried about the electronics honestly, not sure how much that year and model has.

 

[Nige]

I can handle the motor I’m worried about the electronics honestly, not sure how much that year and model has.

Post a machine Serial Number for more information. It will also get you an electrical schematic. Most of the expensive electronics are above cab floor level.

As that tractor has a hydrostatic drive system you had better plan on including the (very expensive) drive pumps and motors on the assumption that they are all rusted solid by now.

Maybe a plan would be to pull the engine and pumps out of it (they R&I as a single unit) and start from there.?

 

[Simon C]

Was it under fresh water or salt water. Depends how much got in, and whether or not any was drained out before the rust started.
Simon C

 

[Shimmy1]

If they didn't run it with the flooded oil, and drained, flushed, and refilled the hydraulics before starting, there could be a slim chance that the rust isn't too bad.

I would not touch it unless I could take a hose or two off and see what it looks like. If there is rust on the engine dipstick, I'd take big steps the opposite way.

 

[pittsburgh cat man]

All depends on how high the water got up on machine if it stayed below the breathers and dipsticks it might not of had any water entry.

 

[Shimmy1]

All depends on how high the water got up on machine if it stayed below the breathers and dipsticks it might not of had any water entry.

20 years is a long time in a coastal area for oil to not be splashed around.

 

[chidog]

I just hope you didn't pay more than the obvious good parts are worth, for it.

 

[Welder Dave]

Wouldn't the hydrostat pumps and motors be sealed and full of oil making it hard for water to get in unless it was submerged well above the floor boards? Depending on how long it was submerged the hydraulic reservoir may have had some pressure in it too. It's a new machine that had to have run some. My track loader will hold pressure in the hydraulic reservoir for month's. Wiring and electronics might be the biggest issue related to water.

 

[Shimmy1]

Looking at buying a 2006 d5g that was flooded new. Guy bought out a whole dealership in Louisiana, got them running and then sat until now.

Wouldn't the hydrostat pumps and motors be sealed and full of oil making it hard for water to get in unless it was submerged well above the floor boards? Depending on how long it was submerged the hydraulic reservoir may have had some pressure in it too. It's a new machine that had to have run some. My track loader will hold pressure in the hydraulic reservoir for month's. Wiring and electronics might be the biggest issue related to water.

He says they got it running, and it sat 20 years. If there was any water in that hydraulic oil, those pumps/motors will be rusted solid from the inside.

 

[Mr. Wrench]

A lot of variables and unknowns with this one. I would try to find out all you could from the people that get it going. How long was it flooded? How high did it get? What did they drain out of it? What did it look like? How much did they run it? Did everything work fine then? Why has a machine like that then set for 20 years? Out side the whole time? You could try taking some connectors apart if they will let you and see what they look like. Alot can be forgotten in 20 years. Also have to decide if they are telling you all the truth.

 

[pittsburgh cat man]

A few thoughts we had a 953 working in the flood land of a flood control dam big storm came up and flooded the 953 and a dozer hystat on the early 953 were not vented so there was no problem there changed engine oil and finals wire connectors are sealed pretty well we didn’t have any problems with wiring

 

[epirbalex]

I definitely didn’t want to try to turn it over until I got it back to my shop, I can handle the motor I’m worried about the electronics honestly, not sure how much that year and model has.

I would slaken off every drain plug on it to see it there is any water present . 20 years sitting water may have found it's way in and it needs to be drained . That can be done without losing most of the oil . That oil become the flushing oil and needs to be changed as it has a 4 year shelf life any way .

 

[Nige]

20 years sitting water may have found it's way in and it needs to be drained

What about the corrosion/rusting above the oil level.? Have you considered that.?

 

[epirbalex]

What about the corrosion/rusting above the oil level.? Have you considered that.?

If the dozer was drained and started after the flooding it should be no different to any machine sitting for an extended period . Water should go to the bottom unless the things been run with water present .

 

[Mr. Wrench]

If the dozer was drained and started after the flooding it should be no different to any machine sitting for an extended period . Water should go to the bottom unless the things been run with water present .

I think what Nige is referring to is rust/corrosion from condensation just from temperature changes all those years. Say in a basic transmission if it sets a long time the oil can all drip off the parts that are out of oil and they can start to rust from condensation. That may not cause much problems in a basic transmission but in a system with hydraulics, it can start sending junk through the system and the problems may not show up right away. Another thing that can happen is water can loosen the bonding on some brake or clutch disc and cause them to start coming apart sending all kinds of things through the system. Normal use came keep alot of that evaporated off but long periods of setting can cause the moisture load to become to high.

I wonder if this would be better to look at as an opportunity for a good use parts machine rather than something to put into service. All the good parts on it would not have any hours on them.

 

[HarleyHappy]

I think it is a Cat therefore, it will be fine.
I would be cautious but heavy equipment has sat around for decades before and will again.
Its a sealed hydrostatic and while there will be issues, I think a complete flushing and checking all electrical connections, it should be good.
You will have the expected problems but the bones should be good.
I am assuming that they got everything flushed when they got it running after being flooded.
Expect to do every seal that had air on it.

 

[Nige]

I think what Nige is referring to is rust/corrosion from condensation just from temperature changes all those years.

That's exactly what I was referring to. Anything above the level of the oil in whatever compartment should have been exposed to an environment filled with condensation all that time and therefore to corrosion. If the engine has not been turned over at all in however many years who knows how much rust above the oil level there is inside ever component.?

 

[AMBMike]

What about seals? It seems like a machine that's been sitting so long will likely have quite a few leaky seals shortly after you get it up and running.

I'd expect a lot of "interesting" gremlins to keep popping up to keep you busy troubleshooting, at least for the first 1000 hrs.

I wouldn't expect it to be a reliable front line machine but would probably be great for a hobby machine if you have deep pockets and plenty of spare time.

If you like a challenge this may be the machine for you.