Combines Cummins trouble

[PETE]

Sounds like you deserve a new motor, this would be the only right thing to do especially with a new machine. Pete Hinrichsen

 

[Tom_Russell]

I am not familiar with the term, blew it. What actually happened at 20 hoursIJ Do you know exactly what was in the intake manifoldIJ Who found itIJ Was it an engine part, a combine part, or an unidentifiable partIJ What information have you gotten from Cummins and AGCOIJ It would seem to me that you should have the answers to these questions. Otherwise you are really shooting in the dark. I know how I would feel if something like that happened to my new engine. But feelings dont do much good. I hope I am not sounding unsympathetic. But you have some homework to do before you know how to proceed. Keep us posted. Tom in MN

 

[John]

Positively identify what caused the engine failure. Then Agco_Gleaner is the first stop, they are responsible to you. Cummins is responsible to Agco for the powerplant. Contact Agco via the Internet with positive proof available. ASK FOR, DON'T DEMAND some sort of resolution from them. You should also have some company rep in OZ to work with on the problem. The dealer should be helpful as well in correcting the problem between you, Agco and Cummins. Good luck!

 

[camshaft]

Pete's right, engine should be replaced. Onus shouldn't be on you to prove what caused problem. Have a lawyer write to Agco. I'm sure you would hear from Agco if you paid for machine with play money! Have they supplied a machine to keep you goingIJ

 

[magnum_man]

Just for your info valves do break off in those cummins. Maybe nothing was in it. It happened to me. Cummins took care of everything with some agco persuasion. They rebuilt it. It took some time.Runs fine. I would ask for a new engine if your in the middle of harvest.

 

[silver_aussie]

G'day Tom, The term blew it, down here means very secondhand! The part in the manifold was a molten mess imbedded in the top of the piston, there was something looking like threads for a bolt, was found by cummins when they pulled the engine down, I have seen it, not pretty! No info. from these companies, but engine is running, not happy. Paid a lot of money for a secondhand engine! I have been rather unhappy this harvest with agco and cummins, but dealer has bent over backwards to help, supplied another machine so we could go on.

 

[silver_aussie]

G'day camshaft, Yes the dealer did, once again no thanks to agco or cummins.

 

[Rolf]

G'Day Aussie I would be pretty @n$%@ off if that happened to me, and I to would like a new Engine!!! I would want some sort of written letter from AGCO_Cummins that the engine will still be alright after X amount of hours! Sort of warranty on warranty! I would also get them to supply and fit a data logger fitted to the engine so that if you do have trouble down the track you have some facts to show!!! You could also talk to the Fair Trading Commission on what your rights are in relation to this, if you have no luck with the company's involved!!!! This is were we Aussies get burned with the low Aussie dollar we pay 40+% more for our new headers than our counter parts in the US, and it is not a case of that we can make our own any cheaper! We have to have them to farm!!!! Sorry Aussie, I hate to be in your position! Especially now that we having a Drought Hope you get it sorted. Rolf

 

[Tom_Russell]

If I understand correctly, someone from Cummins repaired the engine and you have the combine in running condition at your farm. It would seem that is the end of the story. If you are worried about future problems with your engine you can have oil samples analyzed. That will tell you beyond any doubt if there are any other problems with the crank or other internal parts. It sounds like you were taken care of with a loaner combine while yours was being repaired. You really didnt suffer any loss except you now have an engine with fingerprints and grease on it. I would hope the mechanic cleaned it and painted anything that got scratched. This happens frequently with car and truck engines. They repair it but seldom replace it. My son had similar experience with a new pickup truck and the dealer replaced a piston and a few other things. They didnt even consider replacing the engine. Tom in MN

 

[t_leslie]

Read your warranty statment... I don't think it has any provision for your imput on repair. like it or not that's what you agreed to when you bought the machine.. I don't think it even has a "to your satisfaction" claus any more. The thing is everybody is watching the bottom line.. With some companies (most) we have to get company approval to replace any major component.. The day is gone when dealers "swing in" an new engine or transmission just because it is in warranty.. The companies have found they rather pay to repair than replace major components.. This is in part because of so many components being manufactured by outside sources and AGCO has to honor the mfg's warranty. The last time we replaced a major componet with out prior approval I got an ear full after i turned in the warranty claim.. I had to ship the component to the company, after they looked at they agreed that replacing was the better option.. (DUH! Im not an engineer, but I can tell when a gear box is thrashed beyond repair!)The n2 reason this goes on is simply abuse.. for years some dealers would replace gearboxes because they leaked in the first few hour of operation.. $2,500 vs. $125.00 This kind of abuse drives up the cost of a new machine.. becuase a percentage of the the cost of a combine is figured for warranty.. I argue with customers about warranty on belts all the time.. one of my customers wants to replace all the belts with cracks in them..it gets really bad when it is close to the end of his warranty.. I tell him I can't warranty anything till it fails.. Has the belt failed just because it has cracks in itIJ He claims AGCO rather replace a $250.00 belt now than $500.00 worth of stuff when the large belt breaks and takes out all the other stuff around it.. Bottom line is you got your combine fixed and thats all they are responsible for.. Give a big pat the back to your local dealer that loaned you a combine to keep going.. He didn't have to do that but he wants your business in the future so he did.. It probably cost him some money to do that but hopefully saved him a customer. I can asure you AGCO and Cummins are not going to reimburse him a dime. Been there done that!