Disgusted!

[kudzu3 323]

Finally started tweaking my B 80 after a complete restoration, noticed pressure coming from the head, just behind the exhaust. Killed the engine and checked the head bolts...only hand tight, not even torqued! The engine has ran probably less than five minutes, do I need to go ahead and replace the gasket or would I maybe be okay to torque the head bolts and go from there?  Maybe I should just take it back to the shop that put the engine together for me and ask them to fix their mistake? Opinions please. Thanks

[slammer302 2,155]

Take the head off make sure everything is clean and put back together

[Racinbob 11,030]

If it's a fresh rebuild you can just torque them correctly. I would do what slammer mentioned though. Check the manual for the correct torque and sequence.

[AMC RULES 37,125]

Me? I'd call the shop and calmly ask...

what the blank...you know what I'm sayin'?     

Ask 'em if they remember if they torqued the connecting rod bolts too? 

[Racinbob 11,030]

Oh geez!! I didn't think about that. Talk about planting a seed of concern. But a very good point Craig. I would agree, let them know what they did. That might help you if there are more problems down the road.

Edited August 23, 2014 by Racinbob

[rmaynard 15,408]

And after all the problems have been corrected, I would be looking for a different machine shop.

[Geno 1,929]

Gotta love this new day and age we live in. 

 

If you want something done right you gotta do it yourself!  That's why most of us are here right? 

[Jrblanke 857]

Definitely talk to them and give them the chance to correct the issue. Who knows maybe they will give you a discount on your next service, or some new head gaskets. 

[Buzz 502]

I'd take it back and have them correct it. After they do they have to run it for awhile and re-torque them. Could that be what happened? They ran it but didn't re-torque?

[oldredrider 2,548]

A torqued head after a warm up would NOT have "hand tight" bolts. Obviously they over looked the "double check".

Don't burn your bridges, give them the opportunity to make it right.

Since it ran OK from the jump, they must know what they are doing.

Edited August 23, 2014 by oldredrider

[kudzu3 323]

I took the head off, cleaned everything, re installed it, torqued the bolts at 20 in the correct order. The pulley was barely touching the belt guard and making a noise (I thought), so I fixed that, cranked it up but the noise I thought I fixed was not coming from the belt guard, it was coming from the engine...knocking/rattling!  Also, there was a little puddle of oil on top of the piston when I removed the head, that's not supposed to be there, right? I will go back Monday and have a friendly conversation with these folks, giving them a chance to correct things. This shop is well known in the area and considered to be top notch, but I'm not so sure about that now. This is my first tractor, and my first restoration of any kind and was looking forward to taking it to my first show in Sept, but not sure about anything now.  I did all the work except for the engine assembly, buying the parts myself and having it bored to 20 over. The only thing I had someone else do was apparently done wrong. Gene, you're exactly right.

[Geno 1,929]

I would loosen the bolts in the head and put it just like it was.  I wouldn't tell them that I did anything or they may blame it on you. 

[clueless 2,974]

TAKE IT BACK! I know it is a PITA but they should do it--you paid them.  Seeing the problem in person is better than a phone call or email from a dissatisfied customer this day and time. Also, if you finish the work yourself and other problems occur once it is up and running and they know that you worked on it, they may say the problem was your fault.  

[km3h 543]

Ditto what Geno said.

[clueless 2,974]

I started this post earlier and thought I had sent it. When I came back to the computer I realized I had not sent it. I sent it without seeing the most recent post. I guess it is a moot point now. Somebody owes you a 8 HP Kohler.

[slammer302 2,155]

I would leave it on the mower and take the whole thing up there so they can run it and get it all fixed up

["D"- Man 827]

I'm with Geno on this one.  " loosen the bolts in the head and put it just like it was.  I wouldn't tell them that I did anything or they may blame it on you."  Mark.

[Geno 1,929]

I would leave it on the mower and take the whole thing up there so they can run it and get it all fixed up

 

ABSOLUTELY RIGHT!      But loosen the head bolts first. 

Edited August 23, 2014 by Geno

[MalMac 1,331]

Nothing anymore frustrating than paying for work and getting screwed. Reminds me of when I had one of are semi tractors in for some work done on the steering shaft from the steering wheel on down to the steering box. I picked the truck up and made it around 75 miles. I was entering a interstate from a 360 degree entrance ramp right when I was ready to get on the four lane I hit a bump and the steering wheel came completely of the steering shaft! The idiots never tighten the wheel down and did not put the safety clip over the wheel. There I was holding the steering wheel in my hands at almost highway speed. I made darn sure they came and fix it on the spot. Then had a discussion with the service department and the mechanic that worked on it. If I were you I would most certainly take it back to them. Keep all paper work and who you talk to.

[kudzu3 323]

The worst part of the whole thing is that I have taken such pains to make everything perfect, being especially careful with the paint and touching up all the small flaws that occur when assembling parts. Now this thing is going to have to come apart again and destroy a lot of what I have worked so hard on for the past year.

[Geno 1,929]

That is a valid point, maybe you should take the engine off and take it back to them.  They probably won't be as careful as you will be. 

[kudzu3 323]

Just returned from the shop...all is well (I hope)  . The folks there couldn't have been nicer and more apologetic. Not sure what the knocking problem is but are going in to find out and fix it. The guys even took me to they're home to see their many tractors and other equipment. They just finished restoring a small john deere  , don't know the model, but it was absolutely perfect, and showed me another one that they completed last year, it also was perfect, so I completely trust them to take care of my horse. I'll keep you all posted.

[Geno 1,929]

Great news!  

[oldredrider 2,548]

There is still a few good people left. Glad they are going to work with you.

[rmaynard 15,408]

Sometimes you draw the worst conclusions in your mind, then, when everything works out in your favor, you wonder why you got so worked up. Glad you found out that an honest mistake was acknowledged and corrected, plus you got to see the personal side of their business.