Installing thermostat on a Jinma ty395 engine in a JM354 tractor

[bjr]

I have the type thermostat that has the cylinder cage around it and when I removed the thermostat from the housing I had to destroy it to get it out. Is there some kind of special tool to remove these thermostats from the housing and to install? See attached pic. thanks bjr

 

[Bob Rooks]

I have the same setup on my dozer's TY395 engine, but no problems like that. Why was it so hard to remove?
I'm currently using the NAPA replacement stat.

 

[bjr]

I couldn't pull on anything. I tried pulling on the arch part and in just pulled apart, then tried to get a thin putty knife under the lip of tube part and just couldn't get it to pry up. Finally out of shear desperation, I took a chisel to the tube and bent it in to where I could get a good pry under and then it popped out. Then all I had was a very tore up in pieces thermostat. There was no way to push from the back side of the housing or any thing, just very frustrating to work on and I've had some considerable quality time with wrenches, but this thing took the cake. Got new parts on the way. I was told by the vendor that there was no NAPA crossover for this particular thermostat. bjr

 

[Bob Rooks]

Yes there is, that's how I got my 185° stat. Only thing is the NAPA stat has a slightly larger flange that needs to be trimmed down a bit or turned on a lathe. Otherwise identical. I'll post the number when I get to the tractor.
Another reason it may have been difficult to remove was the build up of sludge and scale between the surfaces - another reason I run a coolant filter.

 

[greg_g]

. I was told by the vendor that there was no NAPA crossover for this particular thermostat.

Not true. But 185F is right at the upper end of the recommended heat range. Before you toss the old thermostat, try to clean it up enough to read the temperature range. I'll bet you'll find a 70 or a 75 or an 80 or an 85 (centigrade). That's the equivalent to a range between 158 to 185 Fahrenheit. I'd suggest one right in the middle, and NAPA can sell you a 165F thermostat that fits just fine. It may not look identical to the one you pulled out. I've bought NAPA thermostats for 3 different Chinese tractor engines, and never had to modify a thing. Don't forget to get a new gasket at the same time. Avoiding the temptation to use "gasket inna tube" will pay dividends if you ever have to change the thermostat again.

The old one was most likely stuck in place by rusty coolant. This is a good opportunity to do a thorough cleaning and flush of the cooling system. It too will help your engine run cooler.

//greg//

 

[Rich Waugh]

I was under the impression that diesel engines were more efficient and longer-lived when operating at around 185-190F, rather than 165F. Are Chinese tractor engines somehow different from other diesels?

 

[Affordable]

If you look at this pic you will see that a lot of the TY395 engines would never come up to operating temp, here's why

Tommy
Affordable Tractor Sales
"Your Jinma Parts Superstore"
Home of compact Jinma, Foton, and Koyker Tractors and Parts, Wood Chippers, Backhoes - Affordable Tractor Sales Company

 

[Bob Rooks]

Yes, Tommy is correct. I forgot to mention that a 3/8" thick "O-ring" or "doughnut" must be used (even with the OEM stat). Here are the pics of the NAPA stat, on the left, and OEM stat on the right. Also, the P/N for the NAPA glass bowl for the sediment bowl, FWIW.

 

[Bob Rooks]

I was under the impression that diesel engines were more efficient and longer-lived when operating at around 185-190F, rather than 165F. Are Chinese tractor engines somehow different from other diesels?

Correct. The increased operating temperature increases thermal efficiency, reduces soot build up in the oil, reduces fuel consumption, "boils off" any moisture entrained in the oil, oil filters more efficiently, and the list goes on. There is no downside.

 

[greg_g]

I'm merely relating personal and hands-on experience with four different Chinese tractor brands Bob. I generally don't try to "improve" upon mechanical engineering decisions. If I take out a 75C thermostat, I replace it with a 75C or Fahrenheit equivalent. I've changed thermostats in Foton, Jinma, KAMA, TaiShan. No two thermostats were the same. In fact, the two seemingly identical JM254s I had didn't even have the same thermostat. I attributed that to them being from two different generations of the Y385 engine. As stated, the originals removed were 70/75/80/85 (centigrade). An 85C is indeed 185F, but as I said - it's at the top of the range. Hence my suggestion to BJR regarding the temperature stamp on the thermostat he removed.

//greg//