I have a late model 9660 combine with a 9 liter engine. 2400 hrs. Noticed today some milky fluid on the floor and drops of antifreeze also drain tube was milky white. Just a tad low on antifreeze. Dipstick oil looks fine. Mechanic says just to be on the safe side don't try to finish the last 50 acres. Dealer will bring a demo. If it is only the head gasket looks like $8500 to 10k. Hopefully I'm on the front side of this. It has and the water pump replaced and dealer annual inspection, fluids changed etc. I put on 200 hrs per year. I generally spend 5k at least to run it through the dealers shop. It is in good shape. If we don't have to go any deeper, seems like a no brainer to put the 10k plus maybe another 5k in general upkeep and run it for a couple more seasons instead of 100k for a 1200 hr S660??? The plan is for the dealer to figure the engine issues out and do an annual inspection and go from there.
I know some will say find an independent mechanic. No such person in this area.
Posted 10/29/2017 19:58 (#6334224 - in reply to #6334176) Subject: RE: Deere 9 liter failure
SW Ohio
You could get really lucky and its just the EGR cooler, no guarantees on that though. Either way, I would not finish last 50 either. Best bet is to have dealer diagnose. There is a procedure for the EGR cooler, tested a couple in my time at the dealer. I wouldn't hesitate to spend that kind of money on a machine that is in otherwise good shape, especially if I knew it well.
Posted 10/29/2017 20:03 (#6334232 - in reply to #6334224) Subject: RE: Deeretech14 ?
south east iowa
deeretech14 - 10/29/2017 19:58
You could get really lucky and its just the EGR cooler, no guarantees on that though. Either way, I would not finish last 50 either. Best bet is to have dealer diagnose. There is a procedure for the EGR cooler, tested a couple in my time at the dealer. I wouldn't hesitate to spend that kind of money on a machine that is in otherwise good shape, especially if I knew it well.
The tech I spoke with today has done several at this hour amount with "sleeve protrusion " does that sound possible?
Posted 10/29/2017 20:10 (#6334263 - in reply to #6334232) Subject: RE: Deeretech14 ?
SW Ohio
Yes there was a problem in 9L in combines with that. I think H006 engine code (below engine serial number on same tag) was the problem, at least in 70 series combines. They fixed it with H008, which I made sure my combine had.
Posted 10/29/2017 20:27 (#6334321 - in reply to #6334263) Subject: RE: Deeretech14 ?
south east iowa
deeretech14 - 10/29/2017 20:10
Yes there was a problem in 9L in combines with that. I think H006 engine code (below engine serial number on same tag) was the problem, at least in 70 series combines. They fixed it with H008, which I made sure my combinpe had.
Posted 1/11/2022 20:39 (#9434716 - in reply to #6334263) Subject: RE: Deeretech14 ?
See your post about the 9 litre engine from deere.were the model numbers ending in h007 and below the problem engines.my combine has h003 with failed head gasket .
Posted 10/29/2017 20:53 (#6334392 - in reply to #6334176) Subject: RE: Deere 9 liter failure
Eastern Iowa
I would drop over dead before I paid JD $8500 to fix a motor they screwed up in the first place. At that price they are stealing from you, do they think you have a nuclear reactor in there. Maybe they quoted you for pulling the head off a stealth bomber. If farmers keep paying the stupid prices they will keep sending the bills. I suggest you look for a good independent mechanic and pay him well. You've got 10 months to do the work. If you let them start you might end up with a bill for $20,000 or more.
Posted 10/29/2017 20:57 (#6334405 - in reply to #6334176) Subject: RE: Deere 9 liter failure
NW Central Ohio
...I personally can't imagine budgeting $5000/year in repair costs per year on my combine. If I average out what I've spent over the last 20 years I'll bet my average for parts was less than $1000, and then I supplied my own labor. I think I put something like 250 hrs/year on it.
Posted 10/29/2017 21:24 (#6334473 - in reply to #6334405) Subject: RE: Deere 9 liter failure
pupdaddy12003 - 10/29/2017 19:57
...I personally can't imagine budgeting $5000/year in repair costs per year on my combine. If I average out what I've spent over the last 20 years I'll bet my average for parts was less than $1000, and then I supplied my own labor. I think I put something like 250 hrs/year on it.
Then you must farm 200 acres. At that you will eventually spend $5000 or even $10,000 even if you run a 1660. I budget $4-5 acre.
Following the above it does sound like the sleeve protrusion. May ask if they will pay for any. There is a bulletin where they were paying. I do know 2 years ago they paid for the parts on one.
Posted 10/29/2017 21:49 (#6334532 - in reply to #6334473) Subject: RE: Deere 9 liter failure
North Liberty and South Bend, Indiana
Original post said about 200 hours, how many acres is that? I'll have about 250 hours and in the last 10 years may have spent $10,000 total on our last machine. Maybe the yellow ones are just cheaper to ooerate or maybe we got incredibly lucky.
Posted 10/30/2017 00:08 (#6334697 - in reply to #6334532) Subject: RE: Deere 9 liter failure
WCIL
Same here. Had 9770 for 7 seasons and replaced normal wear belts and chains and a couple of sensors. One year had vertical auger bearing go out. Replaced several parts there. Another year a.c. compressor went. The last year had a few minor bearings go. Had a couple expensive years, but some were virtually nothing. Maybe $1000 a year average. Did most work ourselves. With high wear pkg, just not a lot of metal wear on augers etc. About 300hrs /yr corn and soybeans. To the OP, good that you have dealer go through it each year. Costs a lot, but keeps you rolling. Have seen some guys fix as fail and have service truck following them half the season. Hope you find a good solution.
Posted 10/30/2017 05:46 (#6334773 - in reply to #6334473) Subject: RE: Deere 9 liter failure
Glasgow, Ky
1586 - 10/29/2017 21:24
pupdaddy12003 - 10/29/2017 19:57
...I personally can't imagine budgeting $5000/year in repair costs per year on my combine. If I average out what I've spent over the last 20 years I'll bet my average for parts was less than $1000, and then I supplied my own labor. I think I put soumething like 250 hrs/year on it.
At that you will eventually spend $5000 or even $10,000 even if you run a 1660.
Do you mean $5-10,000 in one year? I run a 1660 and could replace the whole machine for $10-$15k. I can't think of any scenario where I would spend $5- $10k in one year.We do our own work and have a good source of salvage parts. Run about 600 acres a year through it. You said you budget $4/$5 an acre for repairs. 600 acres x $4 per acre would be $2400. I can agree with that.
Posted 10/29/2017 21:11 (#6334445 - in reply to #6334176) Subject: RE: Deere 9 liter failure
East Central SD
Search my posts. Had the same issues as you before harvest. ERG was fine, diagnosis was that it was probably a sleeve protrusion. Pulled the engine, white junk in the pan. I wanted to do it right, complete overhaul instead of just fixing the one sleeve. By the time i figured everything that I would replace, dampner, turbo was getting loose, etc., I opted for a reman with a 2 yr warranty. Dealer OH only had 1 yr warranty. Tech told me I spent 2k less than the last one they overhauled in house. I know, it sucks to put that much into a machine (mine had 3k hrs), but I like the machine, and the new engine was less than one payment on a S series.
Posted 10/29/2017 21:19 (#6334461 - in reply to #6334176) Subject: RE: Deere 9 liter failure
Oregon
I think you have a viable plan. Any used you unit you might trade into could well require similar amounts of work.
pupdaddy: A lot of annual wear item cost depends on bushels you run through the machine and on conditions. Pretty typical to eat up $10k in annual wear items alone on dryland wheat machines in some regions of Eastern Oregon when pushing big drapers over 200 acres daily through very dry wheat in very abrasive dust (volcanic ash) for over 250 hours annually. Just the dust in the cooling fan blast fan blast will polish the paint off of everything in its path and I've seen holes worn through sheetmetal in places that I didn't know could wear through.
$10k may be a lot of wear items for a low acre combine in nice conditions- but it is all pretty relative.
I don't think that putting $15k+ in a well sorted 9770 is unreasonable at all.
Posted 10/30/2017 03:14 (#6334724 - in reply to #6334176) Subject: RE: Deere 9 liter failure
I as a retired farmer have not read any threads past your post.. I am not able to understand how these companys can put out this crap and drop a thousands of dollars repair bill on all these low hour machines. I have told my wife several times that I am thankful that I have my farms rented out. O well I am a old man and just trying to stay out of the way.
Posted 10/30/2017 03:29 (#6334725 - in reply to #6334724) Subject: RE: Deere 9 liter failure
After reading this thread, I would like to know what and why you farmers accept these early engine failures? I sold my 4420 jd combine a couple of years ago and the motor was running perfect at 2200 hours after over thirty years with nothing more than occasional oil and filter change.
Posted 10/30/2017 04:44 (#6334737 - in reply to #6334725) Subject: RE: Deere 9 liter failure
Buckshot I'll fake a stab at it.
They are loyal to green paint.
If was any other color all you would here is go get a jd.Have heard that on this site many times.
Flame me all you want but it's true.So the green blooded crowd just shake it off and keep on worshiping them.
Disclaimer I don't have any Green machines on my farm
Posted 10/30/2017 07:34 (#6334955 - in reply to #6334854) Subject: RE: Deere 9 liter failure
rpron - 10/30/2017 05:45
Enough people get together file a class action lawsuit. All said and done lawyers would be rich and the farmer left paying the bill AGAIN.
Yes. At least IH took care of the 560's when they failed. Deere now days you can't count on when major components are know to be bad. SOL on a $50,000 repair.
Posted 10/30/2017 19:10 (#6335885 - in reply to #6334955) Subject: RE: Deere 9 liter failure
central Iowa
1586 - 10/30/2017 07:34
rpron - 10/30/2017 05:45
Enough people get together file a class action lawsuit. All said and done lawyers would be rich and the farmer left paying the bill AGAIN.
Yes. At least IH took care of the 560's when they failed. Deere now days you can't count on when major components are know to be bad. SOL on a $50,000 repair.
My dad had an early 560 gas burner that was in the dealer shop more than it was in the field. I can still remember Dad slamming the door on the car with company officials in it and immediately bought a 4010 from the green guy. So I call BS.
Posted 10/30/2017 08:34 (#6335070 - in reply to #6334841) Subject: RE: Deere 9 liter failure
Not trying to be a smarta$$ just what i hear and read on the net.
Have a neighbor that has always give me a plug about how I need green paint to have a better farm.He bought 3 smaller deere's and has had lots of problems over the years with them and I ? him about them and he says well you know they all give trouble.
If it was one of my tractors he would be hollering I should get me a deere.
I just don't drink the green koolaid.
Posted 10/30/2017 11:17 (#6335325 - in reply to #6334737) Subject: RE: Deere 9 liter failure
RDH - 10/30/2017 04:44
Buckshot I'll fake a stab at it.
They are loyal to green paint.
If was any other color all you would here is go get a jd.Have heard that on this site many times.
Flame me all you want but it's true.So the green blooded crowd just shake it off and keep on worshiping them.
Disclaimer I don't have any Green machines on my farm
I agree with you, and we do have a couple JD tractors and equipment. But we are no way loyal to any color.
Posted 10/30/2017 06:43 (#6334850 - in reply to #6334176) Subject: RE: Deere 9 liter failure
Northern IL
The head gasket price sounds high,but definitely cheaper than a failed motor. Good call to stop. For those of you who want to make it a color/loyalty issue,in the big industry race to meet emissions standards you would be hard pressed to find any company that has not had problems at onetime or another.
Posted 10/30/2017 07:22 (#6334933 - in reply to #6334850) Subject: RE: Deere 9 liter failure
West Central Iowa
Unclebuddy370 - 10/30/2017 06:43
The head gasket price sounds high,but definitely cheaper than a failed motor. Good call to stop. For those of you who want to make it a color/loyalty issue,in the big industry race to meet emissions standards you would be hard pressed to find any company that has not had problems at onetime or another.
This problem has NOTHING to do with meeting emissions standards. It is a failure to maintain proper machining dimensions when the engine is manufactured. It has been known for as long as wet sleeved engines have been around that the liner must have the proper standout or the head gasket will eventually fail. JD knew this engine had problems in this area years ago when they chose to recall the higher HP combine engine, but did not recall the lower HP combine engines or ANY of the tractor engines.
Here is a link to a prior post on a problem with a 9L in a 8430.
Posted 10/30/2017 07:15 (#6334911 - in reply to #6334176) Subject: RE: Deere 9 liter failure
We had the same problem. 9660. 9.0. First year we owned it engine went. They covered it under warranty and They "overhauled" it. Shimmed some sleeves, did a subpar job of it. We had a 2 year warranty with that one. This year it did the same thing again (after warranty was gone) 2400 eng hours. 1550 sep. we go above and beyond on the preventative matainence side of things.
We opted for a junk yard motor from cooks in southern mo for less than 1/4 the price of a new motor. Roughly the same hours and got a year warranty. Combine was down 4 days? This engine sounds better and stronger than our other one ever was.
Our combine is in great shape as we do regular repairs and spend a lot of money keeping it up, but the hassle and trouble has us thinking of upgrading.
Posted 1/11/2022 22:50 (#9434977 - in reply to #6334176) Subject: RE: Deere 9 liter failure
MN
I am not familiar with this motor but $8500 for a head gasket even if they send head off to be redone seems steep.! I had a blown head gasket on a 7.6. It was $2700 for head pulled reconditioned replaced with new head gasket. Local independent man. Have them help you diagnose then weigh out an independent or pull the head yourself and find a machine shop to work on it