Merlo 40.7 engine failure

[redbaron]

Brief story: Knocking sound from engine a month ago. Straight to nearby agric machinery workshop for investigation. Comprehensive tests carried out (but sump not dropped) including discussion with Deutz engineer. All test results normal. Knocking remained. Advised to take back to farm, use it, and monitor the knocking. A week later the engine failed catastrophically. Cause is 4 broken teeth on camshaft drive gear (driven off crankshaft), and bent push rods, broken rocker arms and perhaps more. So two questions:
1) Does the local machinery workshop bear any responsibility by advising me to put the Merlo back to work, without dropping the sump for investigation?
2) Looks like we need a new engine. Choice is a Deutz re-build (expensive, but should be problem free), or a so-called "working" 2nd hand engine from whoever?
Any advice gratefully received. Sources other than Deutz?

 

[Timbo]

Brief story: Knocking sound from engine a month ago. Straight to nearby agric machinery workshop for investigation. Comprehensive tests carried out (but sump not dropped) including discussion with Deutz engineer. All test results normal. Knocking remained. Advised to take back to farm, use it, and monitor the knocking. A week later the engine failed catastrophically. Cause is 4 broken teeth on camshaft drive gear (driven off crankshaft), and bent push rods, broken rocker arms and perhaps more. So two questions:
1) Does the local machinery workshop bear any responsibility by advising me to put the Merlo back to work, without dropping the sump for investigation?
2) Looks like we need a new engine. Choice is a Deutz re-build (expensive, but should be problem free), or a so-called "working" 2nd hand engine from whoever?
Any advice gratefully received. Sources other than Deutz?

1) no.
2) go with the new engine.

 

[Jackov Altraids]

I would be inclined to ask the local ag machinery workshop if they think it is fair or reasonable to pay their bill given they failed to provide the service you asked for.
If they insist on full payment, I would say I'd be taking legal advice.

 

[ACEngineering]

Brief story: Knocking sound from engine a month ago. Straight to nearby agric machinery workshop for investigation. Comprehensive tests carried out (but sump not dropped) including discussion with Deutz engineer. All test results normal. Knocking remained. Advised to take back to farm, use it, and monitor the knocking. A week later the engine failed catastrophically. Cause is 4 broken teeth on camshaft drive gear (driven off crankshaft), and bent push rods, broken rocker arms and perhaps more. So two questions:
1) Does the local machinery workshop bear any responsibility by advising me to put the Merlo back to work, without dropping the sump for investigation?
2) Looks like we need a new engine. Choice is a Deutz re-build (expensive, but should be problem free), or a so-called "working" 2nd hand engine from whoever?
Any advice gratefully received. Sources other than Deutz?

When i asked deutz for a price on one it was about £12k and a very long lead time, think that was just an exchange long engine so Block and Head.

This guy has alot of deutz engines would be worth checking out. Just watch the spec though deutz do silly things like having a short compact water pump or one with a longer shaft in it lol. Alternatively R & D Diesels or Industrial engines Ltd

DEUTZ 90 kW TCD 3.6L4 120 HP diesel Engine New, Tier4 £5550+Vat, UK STOCK | eBay

New Deutz 90 Kw engine Tier 4 Final. 2 x 74.5kW LRC (Only have JLG numbers as Chinese built CAT). 55 x 74.4kW - 22 x 1001171563, 5 x 1001175550, 24 x tbc, 1 x 1001155118, 2x 1001171222 & 1 x 1001171457.

www.ebay.co.uk

 

[redbaron]

Thanks for those replies and suggestions. No final decision yet. Spending £10k to £15k on either parts or replacement engine, and labour, on a machine that is worth around £20k as a trade-in doesn't appeal. Might yet sell for breaking value and search for a used machine a little younger.

 

[ACEngineering]

Thanks for those replies and suggestions. No final decision yet. Spending £10k to £15k on either parts or replacement engine, and labour, on a machine that is worth around £20k as a trade-in doesn't appeal. Might yet sell for breaking value and search for a used machine a little younger.

i guess that really depends if you think you can replace it with one as good as yours was for the price of what its worth as a breaker plus the cost to repair, unless of cause its all rather knackered and worn out in which case moving it on as a breaker might well be the best option.

 

[redbaron]

You're right if course....the least cost option is a good repair (probably replacing engine), and we know the machine which is in good order. But it will remain a 19yr old machine with all the implications. Might it be the time to spend £30k instead of 15k and get something younger? (half of that 30k coming from not paying for repairs)

 

[JeremyD]

It's unbelievable that any mechanic advised to carry on using with a knocking noise! The inevitable was always going to happen!

 

[Timbo]

It's unbelievable that any mechanic advised to carry on using with a knocking noise! The inevitable was always going to happen!

It's even more unbelievable the owner kept driving it with it knocking and is surprised it's gone bang.

 

[Sharpy]

Brief story: Knocking sound from engine a month ago. Straight to nearby agric machinery workshop for investigation. Comprehensive tests carried out (but sump not dropped) including discussion with Deutz engineer. All test results normal. Knocking remained. Advised to take back to farm, use it, and monitor the knocking. A week later the engine failed catastrophically. Cause is 4 broken teeth on camshaft drive gear (driven off crankshaft), and bent push rods, broken rocker arms and perhaps more. So two questions:
1) Does the local machinery workshop bear any responsibility by advising me to put the Merlo back to work, without dropping the sump for investigation?
2) Looks like we need a new engine. Choice is a Deutz re-build (expensive, but should be problem free), or a so-called "working" 2nd hand engine from whoever?
Any advice gratefully received. Sources other than Deutz?

1. No, pretty sure that you won’t be able to see the cam gear from underneath. You only find stuff like that with a complete strip down costing a lot of money and losing the machine for a week.
2. Deutz engines are used in a lot of plant, the likes of L and S engineers might be worth a call.

 

[ACEngineering]

It's unbelievable that any mechanic advised to carry on using with a knocking noise! The inevitable was always going to happen!

Its what the trade calls "lets wait and see if it develops diagnostics"

 

[ACEngineering]

You're right if course....the least cost option is a good repair (probably replacing engine), and we know the machine which is in good order. But it will remain a 19yr old machine with all the implications. Might it be the time to spend £30k instead of 15k and get something younger? (half of that 30k coming from not paying for repairs)

You can ignore that engine on ebay i linked if yours is 19 years old its going to be something different. Industrial engines or R & D probably sort something if you want to go that route.