D7-17A 5088 wet clutch with no oil

Not a good sign if there is no oil in the clutch, means bearings, bushings and gear pump possibly have been run dry plus without cooling benefit of the oil. Here's a couple of charts that should help...

Thanks for the charts Old Magnet. That should get me started.

We are on the same page as to the oil clutch probably being toast. Think I will change all filters, motor oils in the starter and main motor, get some fresh fuel, add about 3 gallons of oil to the clutch, and see what happens. If the clutch works, I will lightly exercise the machine for about an hour, drain the clutch, clean the clutch screen and refill.

Sounds like a good plan.....those clutches are pretty forgiving if not totally abused.

Hi, Mineoladavid.
If there is no oil showing on the clutch dipstick, you don't have a lot to lose by pulling the drain plug and seeing what - if anything - comes out. I would also clean the screen. Either or both of these moves might give you a clue about what to expect when you do filler-rup and runn'er. As Old Magnet said, the oil clutches were fairly forgiving if not beaten to death. Myself, if it was my machine, I would like to do a bit of research to see if I could discover WHY it has no oil showing on the stick. If there are no obvious leaks, one could be forgiven for wondering just how long the poor jigger had been run like that - - - - or if the previous owner even realised that it had an oil clutch with a dipstick that should be checked at least every every Pancake Tuesday - or so.

Just my 0.02.
.

It gets worse....I knew of one that burned up the engine thinking the oil clutch dip stick was all that needed checking......the old saying "ya can't fix stupid".

Hi, Old Magnet.
Just further proof that stupidity and ignorance both bring their own appropriate rewards. IIRC, even back in the days of the 17A D7's, they came with a sticker that said the machine should not be operated until a body had read and UNDERSTOOD the operator's manual 'cos injury or death could result from incorrect operation.

[quote="Deas Plant."]Hi, Old Magnet.
Just further proof that stupidity and ignorance both bring their own appropriate rewards. IIRC, even back in the days of the 17A D7's, they came with a sticker that said the machine should not be operated until a body had read and UNDERSTOOD the operator's manual 'cos injury or death could result from incorrect operation.[/quote]

The only problem is that one has to be able to read to under stand the stickers much less the operation manual!!

Hi, EMD645.
Yer know, THAT may be a point. Furthermore though, you have to WANT to read and understand the manual before reading it is likely to achieve much. How many folks do you know who ackshully go there and do that?

I took Deas Plant's advice and pulled the oil clutch drain plug and got about 4.5 gallons of oil, no water, no milky color. Per Old Magnet's chart the clutch holds 17 qts. of oil. So where was the oil that it did not show on the stick? I pulled the screen and found it about 1/4 covered with small metal parts, like 3 or 4 very fine wire circles about 1/2 inch in dia. About a half teaspoon of metal. The rest, about 2 teaspoons, appeared to be 1/16 inch clutch plate particles. Sprayed diesel in and wiped out the bottom of the housing with shop towels. Got a little oil sludge but no metal or other particles.

Next, I am going to run a wire down the dip stick tube to see if there is any crud blocking the tube, doubtful but just in case. Also going to pull the pump off the housing and inspect it.

Any other thoughts?