KUBOTA RTV PROBLEMS

[timswi]

Actually, mine is water cooled and got it with the cab option and a heater. The cab is actually a Curtis, but was made especially for the 500 and (I'm quite sure) only offered through Kubota dealers.

It's an option I know..The OP never mentioned that and whether it is dealer or self installed, that's why I wonder.

My bad on the liquid cooled, could have sworn it was air cooled dunno, been 5 years...The whole defroster thing still makes me wonder though. Can be done but that is a huge and expensive option. That's why I bought the RTV1100 and never tried any of that with my 500.

I fall on my sword for some of my response.:ashamed:

 

[GolfAddict]

It's an option I know..The OP never mentioned that and whether it is dealer or self installed, that's why I wonder. Liquid can be added but the base machine is air cooled.

I guess I didn't even remember that was an option. I know a bunch of the other stuff was, but forgot about that one.

 

[timswi]

I guess I didn't even remember that was an option. I know a bunch of the other stuff was, but forgot about that one.

See my previous edited post..The new ones are liquid cooled, could have sworn mine was air but I could be wrong..Removing the sword I fell on for part of my response.

 

[GolfAddict]

The defrost part has me scratching my head too, mine doesn't have a defrost. Makes me wonder if his heater/defrost was some kind of add-on? Could the plumbing have been messed up somehow, and now it's causing the over heating??

 

[timswi]

The defrost part has me scratching my head too, mine doesn't have a defrost. Makes me wonder if his heater/defrost was some kind of add-on? Could the plumbing have been messed up somehow, and now it's causing the over heating??

A very material question and one that got me too.

 

[bdaymon]

Yes mine is the same. Yes a retired GM engineer and myself installed the Curtis heater and cab as he had already done his.
By defroster I mean the air vent cut into the dash that supplies warm air to left lower windshield area. This is just a small hot water radiator with a 2 speed fan. Something electronically controlled is telling the thermost to close as the defroster blows cold air seconds before it reaches even close to red area of
temp guage. I had learned the temp gauges can go bad so yes the dealer changed it. I do appreciate input from current and previous owners.
The problem is inconsistent. There is a sensor somewhere telling the thermostat to close. Yes the dealer changed the fan sensor.
I had asked them to remove the thermostat as we have done many times on old farm tractors to eliminate the thermostat as a problem.
Dealer wouldnt do that. They said the temp guage actually tells the motor to run at an optimum operating temperature.
I also suspect the head gasket being thin metal is eroded by now from the numerous boil over events. Why the dealer did not pull the head also concerns me.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Just to clarify for myself, you and another person (not a Kubota certified mechanic) modified the engine cooling system on your RTV and it now has issues with the engine cooling system?

 

[GolfAddict]

I did have my thermostat fail to open on one occasion. I was hauling some pretty good size loads in a trailer, and was seeing the temp gauge rapidly raising. I was working it hard, but nothing it hadn't handled with ease before. Stopped to make sure radiator screen was clear, radiator fins, but they seemed ok. When I'd start working again, would quickly start to overheat.

Coolant in the reserve tank looked a little low, so didn't figure that could be the problem. I went to add a little 50/50 to it anyway, and just as I was there was a sharp "snap" noise from thermostat area, with some gurgling noise following. I just knew that the thermostat had snapped open. Sure enough, I started up and started working it hard again, and the temp never came even close to over heating.

It has never happened since, but I've wondered why it ever did happen in the first place. Wonder if somehow your thermostat is sticking like that - some obstruction or something? I wouldn't think they are electronically controlled as you suspect, and if it's been changed out wouldn't seem to be the thermostat itself.

Are you sure your plumbing job isn't creating some sort of airlock or anything?

 

[texasjohn]

Just to clarify for myself, you and another person (not a Kubota certified mechanic) modified the engine cooling system on your RTV and it now has issues with the engine cooling system?

And to further clarify, you are capable but unwilling to remove the thermostat yourself as an experiment at your place to see if that, alone, resolves the boil over problem, while realizing that operating temp would be compromised and lower than optimum?

 

[bdaymon]

No as stated the dealer would not remove the thermostat. Yes we installed the cab and heater. I should not have to take the thermostat out as it is brand new.
Now they tell me 4 tom,6 weeks before they can dig into the problem
They told me they dont take
back, vehicles. Well Michigans lemon law and the Magnuson Moss Act says they have to return my money once criteria is met.
After boiling over a dozen times,the motor is compromised at this point.Even if they offered me a new engine I no longer want the **** thing.
Totally disgusted.
There will be a new Polaris in my drive shortly. No I did not modify the cooling system. 2 hoses 4 bolts and a hot wire to the fan. Yes we burped the mtor after installing Kubota,s kit.