Oil & Fuel AntiFreeze level drops

[kc5sii]

My 1310 spews antifreeze about as soon as I start the engine. It seems to run cool but I can't keep anti Freeze in it. It looks as if it likes to stay about half full. I replaced the radiator cap with a new 13lb cap and flushed the system. Also, the cooling system stays pressurized even days after I shut the engine down.

My guess is a head gasket issue. Any thoughts?

 

[Hooked_on_HP]

You are probally guessing right.If the tempeture sending unit is not in the coolant it wont read accuratly. Be careful, it may be getting hotter than you think.
Bill

 

[Jerry/MT]

My 1310 spews antifreeze about as soon as I start the engine. It seems to run cool but I can't keep anti Freeze in it. It looks as if it likes to stay about half full. I replaced the radiator cap with a new 13lb cap and flushed the system. Also, the cooling system stays pressurized even days after I shut the engine down.

My guess is a head gasket issue. Any thoughts?

You say it "...spews antifreeze....".

Where is the antifreeze spewing from?

 

[RickB]

My It looks as if it likes to stay about half full. Any thoughts?

If you are referring to the top radiator tank (above the core) liking to stay half full, that is normal. Filling the radiator brim-full will ALWAYS result in coolant being pushed out as soon as the coolant expands. Let it seek its own level and leave it alone, monitoring the coolant temperature as best you can considering you only have an indicator lamp.

 

[JC-jetro]

My 1310 spews antifreeze about as soon as I start the engine. It seems to run cool but I can't keep anti Freeze in it. It looks as if it likes to stay about half full. I replaced the radiator cap with a new 13lb cap and flushed the system. Also, the cooling system stays pressurized even days after I shut the engine down.

My guess is a head gasket issue. Any thoughts?

I made a simple collection jar that is securely attached to the tractor frame by a piece of bailing wire. The radiator over pressure discharge will empty in to the jar. As RickB said, If i keep mine full that much will come out when the tractor gets hot and then it gets stabilized with no further belching. If your cap is not holding the pressure then it might do it more. with the simple device at least you can account for the loss to find the remedy. The bottle was an old peanut butter jar.

JC,

 

[Transit]

There are test kits that will detect exhaust gas in the coolant. Thy that first before jumping into the head gasket.

 

[kc5sii]

I should say it vents out the overflow. I've added an overflow (a 1 Qt Oil bottle) it doesn't seem to stay full like you'd guess. Ireally can't tell for sure that it's sucking coolant back into the system. If I had to guess I'd say no. It's never full and the radiator is still positively pressurized even after days of non use.

 

[kc5sii]

There are test kits that will detect exhaust gas in the coolant. Thy that first before jumping into the head gasket.

Is this something I can get at an auto parts store?

 

[Transit]

Is this something I can get at an auto parts store?

Sure, no problem.

 

[Transit]

Is this something I can get at an auto parts store?

Sure, no problem.
Come to think of it, there is also a air pump that replaces the radiator cap.
pump it up to 10-15 psi and the pressure should hold, if not there is a leak.