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Hello all!
It's been a while since I have been on the site mainly due to not using my tractor much and not breaking it. I was helping my neighbor recently put a driveway in and started getting an oil leak from the seam where the engine connects to the transfer case. It is leaking bad now and my guess is the that the main oil seal is shot and needs to be replaced. I saw some post in the years past on this, but was not able to pull them up on a search.
From what I know the tractor has to be “split” to change the seal. Since the tractor would be split I was told it is a good idea to replace the clutch also. I'll be doing this job by myself. This is a major project and any advice would be greatly appreciated.
I have a Jinma 354 FEL BH 4cyl 4wd
Thanks
LenBo
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Len,
I had to split my 304 Jinma due to an oil leak. It was not from the main bearing seal however, but from the gasket where the bellhousing connects to the engine block and sump. The problem was that the bellhousing was not properly tightened down at the factory, causing it to shift and damage the gasket. This problem has happened to others as well, so it may be what yo are experiencing, as I have not heard of any main bearing seal failures on these. Anyway, I documented the whole thing here: 304 Oil Leak
I did not replace my clutch as I only had about a hundred hours on the tractor at that time. I did replace the rear main seal, just to be safe, but the old one looked perfect under a magnifying glass and I’m keeping it as a spare.
I got a lot of really good advice (and my parts) from Tommy at Affordable Tractor Sales and Ronald at RanchHand Supply, so I heartily recommend them to others. Between them, they got me through what was a daunting task for a newby tractor owner.
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Rich:
A LOT of great information on your post from when you did your tractor.
I suspect that it is probably the sump bell housing gasket since I noticed the leak after extensive FEL work and jarring the whole tractor, must have loosened bolts up and broke the gasket. This is a very extensive job just to replace a gasket. I'll have to break out a very old aged expensive bottle of Kentucky Bourbon, have a tall glass, and ponder my next move. I'll be doing this job entirely by myself so I want to get all the parts and tools/equipment in place before I start (don't want to be in the middle of this project and have to run to the store or have a part shipped to me). I am going to get the extra supports as well. I never thought the FEL had the correct support from the beginning, but didn't know about the add on supports.
I most likely won't start this project for at least a month. I'll be in South Dakota for a dog hunt and will be back by June. Looks like I'll have a long summer project. Never thought I would be a tractor mechanic when I grew up.
Thanks much!!!!!
Len
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Len,
When I split mine I had never done any real work on a tractor before. As I said, I got advice from Tommy and Ronald and then spent a day or so studying how to do it as safely as I could without benefit of a flat concrete surface to work on. I made a rolling lowboy trolley cart with a 6-ton bottle jack on it to lift/raise the rear half and used my engine hoist for the front, as I recall – may have just used a floor jack, though. I put down a layer of plywood over the dirt and screwed a pair of wood strips to it to keep my rear dolly/trollley thing running straight back.
I did all the work myself, though when I did the actual split I had a friend standing there watching, as much for his amusement as anything. It took me a day to split it and a day to put it back together. If I had to do it again, I could do it all inone day now that I know what to do. It really isn't that difficult, just daunting tot he person who has never done it before. So, if I can do it, you can do it.
Take lots of pictures as you remove things, mark all wiring legibly, store all fasteners in boxes with labels as to where they came from. Be sure you have the engine kill cable pulled and clamped to prevent any accidental starts if you rotate the engine. Wear eye protection, be safe and don't run with scissors. 🙂
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Rich:
I thrive on challenges. I know I can do the job I just need to find the ambition to get started. Just a wee bit apprehensive thinking about taking almost the entire tractor apart myself with the weight involved. I have a three car garage with one bay for tools. Should have a stable work environment to finish the project. I'll start working up a game plan with check lists by looking at what you did and the post associated with your project. I'll contact Affordable Tractor (Harold & Tommy) they were great help and excellent service with my other projects.
Thanks much again!!!!!!!!
Len
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I have a post here with complete directions on how to split my tractor, including a list of required tools and materials. Your tractor sounds very similar to mine, a 4-cylinder Jinma 354.
The second time I split it, it took about two hours to split it and four hours to put it back together, I did it in one day. The first was considerably longer.
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