Second radiator blowout

[macquigg]

Final Report:
I believe my theory is correct. It is a manufacturing defect in the radiator, not a leaking head gasket.

We re-assembled the radiator, using windshield adhesive instead of an O-ring, and re-bending the fingers on the lower tank. The tractor ran perfectly at full load for several hours, with no sign of overheating or a leaking head gasket. We did not see or smell any gas in the coolant. The temp gauge stayed at mid-scale.

Now it looks like we may have a similar problem with the upper tank. The lip on the tank is working its way out from under the fingers. You can see from this photo that the edge of the lip is right at the edge of the fingers. We have added a strap to hold the tank in place.



Many thanks for everyone's help.

 

[ZKF14837]

If its overheating you are merely fixing the symptoms. Sounds to me like someone misdiagnosed at some point. If you dont find the overheating problem. ( could be as simple as a thermostat or waterpump) you'll just keep putting radiators in it. ( or worse). Just my two cents.

 

[Tom59]

My 2cents is either not enough or old anti freeze. Tanks looks to have expanded.

 

[macquigg]

Tanks looks to have expanded.

That is possible. Repeated flexing out and in could explain the outward loosening of the metal fingers.
But it doesn't explain the fact that the edges of the lower tank were bent inward when I removed the tank from the core. I'm still preferring the manufacturing defect theory.

The repaired radiator continues to function perfectly. No overheating. No loss of coolant. That windshield adhesive is amazing stuff. I'm going to add some loops of steel wire to keep that top tank from popping off. I'm also going to try and squeeze those fingers back in to where they touch the tank.

 

[Redneck in training]

I would replace the radiator cap. It should release exessive pressure, if it is faulty ir will blow the radiator.

 

[ZKF14837]

That is possible. Repeated flexing out and in could explain the outward loosening of the metal fingers.
But it doesn't explain the fact that the edges of the lower tank were bent inward when I removed the tank from the core. I'm still preferring the manufacturing defect theory.

The repaired radiator continues to function perfectly. No overheating. No loss of coolant. That windshield adhesive is amazing stuff. I'm going to add some loops of steel wire to keep that top tank from popping off. I'm also going to try and squeeze those fingers back in to where they touch the tank.

We used to have to squeeze the crimps on several mid to late 90's automobiles. The constant expanding and contracting would loosen the crimped fit. The defect theory could be correct and I'm sure its being looked into. I'm also sure its not the first time any of us have gotten a bad part right out of the box. Such is the case in the age when everything is made by machines now and not with the skilled hands and eyes of a human being. Loss of cooling system pressure will result in overheating, esp is the coolant to water mix is incorrect, or if the stat is stuck open/ closed. Good Luck!