Is my MF 231 running too hot??

[Travis_R]

The cap is off, how can it have anything to do with the coolant level?

Maybe it has to do with the different thermostats, I'm not sure. But is it normal for water to be pushed out the top of the radiator as the engine warms up? I don't remember it doing this with the old thermostat.

Sometimes I tend to confuse myself. (As if u didn't already know LOL)

 

[Winmac]

water tends to "push out" the top of the radiator neck as the engine warms up.

What creates the pressure in the cooling system? Is it the pump,nope.....
When heat is applied to a liquid it's volume expands, simple physics.

 

[Travis_R]

What creates the pressure in the cooling system? Is it the pump,nope..... When heat is applied to a liquid it's volume expands, simple physics.

And I thought it was the pump the whole time.

Well so far then, everything is making sense except that dang gauge!

Would it be a correct reading to shoot the infrared thermometer on the outside of the sending unit?? If so, it read 143-145 If I remember correctly.

 

[TomSeller]

Maybe it has to do with the different thermostats, I'm not sure. But is it normal for water to be pushed out the top of the radiator as the engine warms up? I don't remember it doing this with the old thermostat.

Sometimes I tend to confuse myself. (As if u didn't already know LOL)

This is not a concern. Your new thermostat is opening earlier and apparently faster than the old one. Once the coolant is pumped to the top of the radiator it has to drain down to the bottom without the cap being on the radiator to "push it". Potentially your lower hose may be partially collapsing at the same time and not "drawing" the coolant down the radiator. In addition, as has been mentioned the coolant pushed into the top of the radiator is now warm, taking up more volume.

 

[Travis_R]

This is not a concern. Your new thermostat is opening earlier and apparently faster than the old one. Once the coolant is pushed to the top of the radiator it has to drain down to the bottom without the cap being on the radiator to "push it". Potentially your lower hose may be partially collapsing at the same time and not "drawing" the coolant down the radiator. In addition, as has bee mentioned the coolant pushed into the top of the radiator is now warm, taking up more volume.

Now I understand how this works. Thanks

So now the question is why the high temp reading on the gage.

Still plan on removing the radiator in the morning to have it tested... More peace of mind.

 

[JMER817]

OMG. Is this post a joke??

 

[TomSeller]

So now the question is why the high temp reading on the gage.
.

This has been discussed ad nauseam. One, the other, or both are bad.

 

[Travis_R]

OMG. Is this post a joke??

Please elaborate.

 

[Winmac]

Would it be a correct reading to shoot the infrared thermometer on the outside of the sending unit?? .

Shooting the Tstat housing will give the best indicator of operating temp.

 

[buickanddeere]

Just performed another test..

With the radiator cap on, tractor high idling around 1800 RPMs for about 10-15 minutes, the temp. in the upper radiator fins was around 155F.... The bottom fins read around 85F.... The thermostat housing was reading right at 180F.

I took the wire off on the sending unit and put the infrared light on the brass part of the sending unit. Removing the wire disables the temp gauge completely.
The reading I got was around 143F-147F.... When the wire was plugged back in, the temp gauge needle was still almost to the red (white) just like the previous posted picture.

Again, this is telling me either the sending unit, temp gauge, or both is bad.

Based on the info I posted, does anyone disagree with this?

It means there is nothing broken and everything is working to spec.