Is my MF 231 running too hot??

[sawtooth]

I'd suspect the red has faded to white over the years from the sun.

Good point. I'm not familiar with those tractors / gauges so wasn't sure

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[murphy1244]

its a green and white gauge. no red.

 

[Travis_R]

Since I've owned the tractor, even while bush hogging, coolant has never boiled out.

Also, when the engine is cold on first start up and I turn the key to the "on" position (without starting the engine), the needle moves up slightly into the green and stays there even when I start the engine (but needle rises of course when temp rises).

New radiator cap is on the way...

 

[sawtooth]

its a green and white gauge. no red.

Yeah thats what is making me think its not the factory gauge. BUT, again Im not familiar with this exact tractor so not sure. If it was a Ford I would know instantly. When travis says it jumps up into green when I start it "assuming its cold" thats a tell tell issue too. None of my tractors do that. Gotta be sending unit or gauge issue.

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[Travis_R]

Just tilled for 15 minutes. Ran engine hard under a load. Temp at thermostat housing was 154. Let engine idle for a while, checked temp at same spot on thermostat housing and was 148...

Maybe the new radiator cap will make a difference, not sure. But I'm starting to think there was never a problem with it. Haha

 

[TomSeller]

If you replace the radiator cap, keep a close eye on loss of coolant. I have seen people damage a cap when they have a leak, including into the engine. When the pressure is not allowed to build up it can mask a bigger problem. Watch the color of your oil and exhaust as well as visible leaks.

 

[Travis_R]

If you replace the radiator cap, keep a close eye on loss of coolant. I have seen people damage a cap when they have a leak, including into the engine. When the pressure is not allowed to build up it can mask a bigger problem. Watch the color of your oil and exhaust as well as visible leaks.

Thanks for the sound advice. I check my oil every time I get ready to use the tractor. I do mean every single time. So far I have never seen the oil milky or anything. Occasionally I add some but that's it.
I've bush hogged grass in spots that's as tall the tip of the exhaust. With 1,155 hours on the tractor, that Perkins engine has never gave me a minute's trouble.

 

[buickanddeere]

Just tilled for 15 minutes. Ran engine hard under a load. Temp at thermostat housing was 154. Let engine idle for a while, checked temp at same spot on thermostat housing and was 148...

Maybe the new radiator cap will make a difference, not sure. But I'm starting to think there was never a problem with it. Haha

Sweet Mother of the Almighty. Leave the d*m thing alone if you are too scared to install a new cal checked gauge that reads in actual degrees.There is nothing wrong with it. Get back to us if it starts to boil coolant. We will all chip in and purchase you an Elizabethan Collar if you can't help yourself.
b.t.w you are ruining the engine by operating it that cold.

 

[Travis_R]

Sweet Mother of the Almighty. Leave the d*m thing alone if you are too scared to install a new cal checked gauge that reads in actual degrees.There is nothing wrong with it. Get back to us if it starts to boil coolant. We will all chip in and purchase you an Elizabethan Collar if you can't help yourself. b.t.w you are ruining the engine by operating it that cold.

Not sure if this is your way of helping or just being smart aleck? If you are trying to help, I do appreciate it. But this is how good threads/posts get turned around and people start arguing over things that could have been completely avoided.
Thanks

 

[sawtooth]

Sweet Mother of the Almighty. Leave the d*m thing alone if you are too scared to install a new cal checked gauge that reads in actual degrees.There is nothing wrong with it. Get back to us if it starts to boil coolant. We will all chip in and purchase you an Elizabethan Collar if you can't help yourself. b.t.w you are ruining the engine by operating it that cold.

Dude you need to chill out. Not everyone is a expert in tractors or whatever. People come to the forum looking for help. So lets try to help as best we can and do away with the negative comments. In this world of insanity tractor people are somewhat special so lets keep it that way. Lets help our brothers and stay positive.

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