S70 Help!

[Michael338]

Bought a 2008 S70 low hours (332) over last winter. Started using it in April (landscaper). After putting a few hours on it, it started to run rough and put out blue smoke. Brought it to local Bobcat dealer, Atlas. They said 'algae', cleaned tank, changed injectors and injection pump and lift pump, blaming it all on the algae. Compression ok, but on the low side, vales ok. I am assuming the hour meter is incorrect. After 3 weeks and a big bill I told Atlas to stop repairs. It runs fine on low and medium idle, but pops and smokes on high idle. If you take air filter cover off it runs better at high idle. I don't want to throw any more money at this thing until I can figure out whats wrong, so any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[SkidRoe]

Wow, that sounds a little extreme on the dealer's part. I have dealt with vehicles at work that have suffered from algae in the fuel system before. Unless there is a huge amount of water in the fuel, they just run like crap until the fuel system is flushed out and all of the filters are changed.
From what you describe, most of your issues are occurring when running at full throttle. How does it start? Any excessive smoke at start-up? If the hours are correct, could it be that the rings are not fully seated? Usually a good hard thrashing for a few days sorts this out.
You also mention it running better if the air filter cover is off. How is the filter? are there any restrictions in the intake system?
Does the rest of the machine match the low hour number? Usually one of the first points to show wear, other than the paint work, is the lower Bobtach pivot point. At 332 hours, it still should be nice and tight.
Hope this helps - SR

 

[Michael338]

Wow, that sounds a little extreme on the dealer's part. I have dealt with vehicles at work that have suffered from algae in the fuel system before. Unless there is a huge amount of water in the fuel, they just run like crap until the fuel system is flushed out and all of the filters are changed.
From what you describe, most of your issues are occurring when running at full throttle. How does it start? Any excessive smoke at start-up? If the hours are correct, could it be that the rings are not fully seated? Usually a good hard thrashing for a few days sorts this out.
You also mention it running better if the air filter cover is off. How is the filter? are there any restrictions in the intake system?
Does the rest of the machine match the low hour number? Usually one of the first points to show wear, other than the paint work, is the lower Bobtach pivot point. At 332 hours, it still should be nice and tight.
Hope this helps - SR

Thanks SR. Starts on the dime with little smoke. Runs well until high idle. I figure hours are off as the compression is low although in specs. Hard to tell otherwise as its 9 years old. Air filters are new, no obstructions. Just put it back to work yesterday for a couple hours, well see if it works itself out. Not sure where you are going with the question about the rings not being seated, does that mean I would need a new block? Should I try a heavier weight oil, using 15 40 now? Any suggestions on fuel additives? I am using Sta-Bil Diesel now but am open to other suggestions.

 

[Tazza]

Thanks SR. Starts on the dime with little smoke. Runs well until high idle. I figure hours are off as the compression is low although in specs. Hard to tell otherwise as its 9 years old. Air filters are new, no obstructions. Just put it back to work yesterday for a couple hours, well see if it works itself out. Not sure where you are going with the question about the rings not being seated, does that mean I would need a new block? Should I try a heavier weight oil, using 15 40 now? Any suggestions on fuel additives? I am using Sta-Bil Diesel now but am open to other suggestions.

I feel he means that with low hours, rings ahve not always had time to settle into the bores to make a good seal, the compression can start off a little low and as they wear in, it should climb a little to it's final figure.
With so few hours, i'd have thought compression would be really good, it should have been enough time for the rings to bed in and be in great shape.
Blue smoke sounds like engine oil being burnt, not sure why the dealer changed the injection parts, this is not where i'd start.
Algae would make it bog down, not causing blue smoke. On a machine i sold years ago, the tank was spotless when it was sold, but i did a follow up when he had issues, there was algae in the tank, it would make the machine bog down when under load and the primer bulb suck flat.

 

[Michael338]

I feel he means that with low hours, rings ahve not always had time to settle into the bores to make a good seal, the compression can start off a little low and as they wear in, it should climb a little to it's final figure.
With so few hours, i'd have thought compression would be really good, it should have been enough time for the rings to bed in and be in great shape.
Blue smoke sounds like engine oil being burnt, not sure why the dealer changed the injection parts, this is not where i'd start.
Algae would make it bog down, not causing blue smoke. On a machine i sold years ago, the tank was spotless when it was sold, but i did a follow up when he had issues, there was algae in the tank, it would make the machine bog down when under load and the primer bulb suck flat.

Yes I would assume the rings have had time to seat, my concern is under high idle oil is blowing past the rings. It misses a lot under high idle and smokes, any other issues that would cause this? Runs OK otherwise. Can anyone suggest a good shop in the Chicagoland area? Not going back to Altas. Should I try heavier weight oil? using 15w40 now

 

[Tazza]

Yes I would assume the rings have had time to seat, my concern is under high idle oil is blowing past the rings. It misses a lot under high idle and smokes, any other issues that would cause this? Runs OK otherwise. Can anyone suggest a good shop in the Chicagoland area? Not going back to Altas. Should I try heavier weight oil? using 15w40 now

Not sure heavier oil will help.....
Does it have a turbo? the only other thing i can think of is a bad turbo seal, sucking up oil and blowing it into the intake.
It would tick a few boxes, starting well means you have good compression, smoke at higher speeds when the turbo should be spooling and giving you more air.