WheelhorseBob 1,550 #1 Posted November 11, 2020 Guys, I went to look at a 520H 1994 vintage today. It was a grail machine for me as it had all documentation and a Kwik Way loader. 620 hrs. The good: the folks who owned it were genuine and I trust what they said. The bad: it was owned buy a business for all but 30 hrs. Used to clear snow in the winter. The folks I spoke to have had it since 07 and only put 30ish hours total on it moving gravel. The Onan has a very loud tick in the valve train, I mean very loud. Could also be an exhaust leak but I really couldn’t tell. Suffice to say that noise scared me with the Onans reputation for valve train issues. I decided against it even though I went there with all intentions of buying it for asking price. BTW everything worked well other than the motor making a racket. Did I do right walking? Also it wasn’t cheap, but fairly priced for a nice machine which this One also had cosmetic issues. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lynnmor 7,815 #2 Posted November 12, 2020 Check the compression, if one cylinder is low it might be a valve seat. There is no guarantee that a loose valve will have low compression, but it will give you an idea of the health of the engine. There is also the possibility that a valve is sticking due to rust from little use. Did the owner say when the noise started? Closing off the exhaust with a rag while running might help you find an exhaust leak. A loose valve seat often can be repaired for a reasonable cost. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WheelhorseBob 1,550 #3 Posted November 12, 2020 The owner said it always sounded like that. They’ve owned it since 2007 but only put a hand full of hours on it. I have a mint 300 hr 520 and it doesn’t sound remotely like this one. If the valves are out of adjustment, they are way out. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 72,654 #4 Posted November 12, 2020 IF the loader is nice and operates well it's worth $1500 to $2500 by itself. If the tractor is in rough shape cosmetically and the engine is bad its worth parts or salvage price. If they wanted more than the value of the loader IMHO you did right walking away. 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WheelhorseBob 1,550 #5 Posted November 12, 2020 Thanks Eric, it’s always hard walking away from something that you’ve lusted after for years but your analogy summed it up. I would have paid 2 16 hours ago, ebinmaine said: IF the loader is nice and operates well it's worth $1500 to $2500 by itself. If the tractor is in rough shape cosmetically and the engine is bad its worth parts or salvage price. If they wanted more than the value of the loader IMHO you did right walking away. 500 all day long... 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bill D 2,247 #6 Posted November 12, 2020 I would give them your best offer and explain your concerns when you do. They may take it. There are repower options if necessary. A loader would be a real back saver. Bill Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
