Tractor Over Heated

[Lloyd_E]

Thomas,

I asked the dealer to give me a days notice - but they said sometime next week.
You'll need at least 3 days to get here... any food allergies I should be concerned about?

Cheers.

lloyd

PS: If it was spring I would ask prokop to come and build me a pizza oven - it's on the list
of things to build this spring along with a green house, re-staining the house, re-foofing the workshop, building new kitchen cabinets, repairing the porch, finish staining the horse fencing and finish the horse stable... getting tired just thinking about it!!!!

 

[joe48]

I borrowed a logging "wench" from a friend for a few days,lots ot PTO power but a good sized pine,pulled tractor all over the place.

Is that "wench" a blonde or redhead? And where do you get them?

Seriuosly, I like the stuck stat theory, however don't over look snow clogging the radiator either. Happened to me but caught it before overheated too bad. Always an issue when plowing /blowing wet blowing snow with truck or tractor.

Glad to hear its covered and yes replace stat too. If it happens again ,and its not covered get to a good rad shop and if they can't repair see how much to build new one , probably be suprised how little it costs.

Good Luck and Happy New Year.

 

[Coyote machine]

Lloyd,

"so it is sounding like a stuck thermostat causing the initial problem."
Actually not likely - I think the header failed and then the engine overheated due to lack of adequate fluid flow and higher than normal (proper operation closed coolant system function). the reason to replace the thermostat is due to the leak and possible damage to the t-stat from the leak and consequent overheat condition. I doubt even a stuck t-stat could cause enough pressure to crack the tank header.

 

[Steve_Miller]

Glad you found your problem. Who's your dealer if you don't mind me asking? Valley or Yarmouth or ?

Steve

 

[ERE]

I had the exact same thing happen to my daughters Mazda just before Christmas. In her case a loose fan belt let the water pump loaf and caused the overheat. After the fact she said that she had been hearing some squeals. Of course it happened on the DC beltway at 0100 in the morning. There ought to be medals for "dads to the rescue." I guess that's just part of our job code.

 

[Hoosier Hay Man]

Seriuosly, I like the stuck stat theory, however don't over look snow clogging the radiator either. Happened to me but caught it before overheated too bad. Always an issue when plowing /blowing wet blowing snow with truck or tractor.

Speaking of clogged radiators, when I was much younger (not quite as wise) I worked on farm that had alot of cattle and in the summer one of my chores was to mow the weeds and thistles. I was mowing with a Ford SU4000 utility, (no cab but had a AM radio, WLS Chicago came in real well back than.) To get as much mowed as I could I wouldn't clean the radiator from being clogged with weed seed until it was almost in the red. As soon as I cleaned it started to cool back down in a short time and I would make a few more rounds. As the daylight was starting to run out and I pushed her a bit too long, I opened the hood to help it cool and cleaned the radiator and started to the gate hole when the radiator neck with the cap attached blew off and all the hot antifreeze came spraying back on me. I baled off the tractor . I was luckly not burned but a bit shakin. What had happened, the over flow line, which ran down the side of the radiator, had collapsed or kinked not allowing the pressure released by the cap to escape. The neck on the tank was the weakest point and it blew off. The over flow hose was attached to the side of the radiator and acted as a tether to the cap and neck or I am sure they would of flew out of site.

I would change to a new cap as well as it should of released pressure before the tank on the radiator breaks. Tank could of had a defect making it the weak point but there may be more to this than a stuck thermostat.

 

[Coyote machine]

I agree with the idea of replacing the radiator cap too as some radiator companies will not supply a cap with the replacement radiator.
I still do not think the thermostat caused the problem of the break in the tank's header. It is more likely that the plastic header had a defect and it cracked when it was under the load of the snow blowing.
The cause and effect of what happened may not be as significant as the repair process. At the very least, drain the existing scalded now useless antifreeze coolant mix and replace the radiator, cap, and thermostat, and closely inspect the hoses going to and from the radiator. I would replace the hose clamps too since many hose clamps are not reusable. After replacing the above mentioned items bleed any air from the system and as the radiator's new coolant flows by the open filler neck on the radiator you can add more coolant mixed to the temperature range of your situation, or premixed coolant to which one adds NO water- depending on what your dealer/tractor Mfg. recommend using.
Once satisfied that you have close to required amount of coolant/antifreeze in the system cap it and run it through some low load paces watching the temp gauge closely. It should go to normal temp range, but it is possible it will go higher which means you either have some air remaining in the system at which point shut her off and let her cool until the cap is removable. Run the engine again with the cap off until you see consistent flow at the fill opening which indicates the water pump and thermostat are working and open respectively. Again you may need to add more coolant to get the level where it needs to be to fill the system completely.
Then do a trial run while watching the temp gauge. If it still seems to be overheating based on what the gauge indicates you may have cooked the gauge's temp probe which would give you inaccurate readings at the gauge. If so than you can stick a thermometer into the filler neck AFTER she's cooled down enough to remove the cap- and then take a reading as the coolant flows by the filler hole. It should read in the range that is considered normal operating temperature, or slightly cooler due to the system not being pressurized when the cap is off.

Post back results and or PM me for further questions....

 

[Lloyd_E]

Steve,
Valley dealer...

Coyote... I will post after repair. When it was serviced about a month ago I had the rad area blown out with a low level compressor. There was a bit of debris from summer activity - not much though. I will note these things to the mechanic. Might be a challenge to get it to temp - very cold up here!!!! Clear blue skies but no snow...

ERE... just part of the job. Will mention it to the wife though - who knows! If something passes I will let you and all the other guys know - could be precedent setting!!!! Or do they just call it 'father's day'.

HHMAN - point taken... hopefully this will get repaired and there will be no further problems.


I think the most I pushed the machine was haying last year. Hot long days with AC on
and temp gauge showing normal...

Before I forget - and there will be a post somewhere regarding this - but have yourself a safe and merry new year's eve... prediction of a blue moon and eclipse tonight as well....


Lloyd

PS: Weather as of 6PM Eastern Time: (Hope it is rain!!!)

Warnings
Lunenburg County
3:45 PM AST Thursday 31 December 2009
Snowfall warning for
Lunenburg County issued

15 to 25 centimetres of snow forecast Friday and Friday night.

This is a warning that significant snowfall is expected or occurring in these regions. Monitor weather conditions..Listen for updated statements.

A developing low pressure centre off the viginia coast this afternoon will move to lie south of Nova Scotia Friday night. Snow ahead of the low will begin to spread across mainland Nova Scotia on Friday. The highest amounts..Up to 25 centimetres..Can be expected over the south shore with lesser amounts elsewhere.

Warning will likely be posted for heavy snow for more areas of mainland Nova Scotia on Saturday. However..The snow will change to rain along the Atlantic coast as milder air from the open sea causes temperatures to creep above the zero mark.

 

[Jody Marchand]

Lloyd I just checked environment canada and you guys are getting 30-40 cm of snow Good Luck Have Fun I live out by the halifax airport and were only getting 10 cm than rain it sucks, hopefully we get lot's of snow too Have fun. Jody

 

[Lloyd_E]

Firewood in. Generator filled and extra fuel on hand... lots of food. No reason to leave the house or to travel. Should be a blast once it gets started.

Just checked the highway cameras; Yarmouth, Weymouth, Bridgetown and Granite Village
on the South Shore snow covered. Should hit us within the next 2 hours.

Hold on to your hats!

Lloyd