Have a Yanmar FX-17 that is used mostly for mowing due to its small size. It overheats after using for a short time(~15minutes). Tried cleaning the radiator and using radiator flush which does not seem to influence the problem. Is there some internal mechanism that close circulation down initially for warming that does not open up to allow circulation after engine warms to operating temperature? If you have any suggestion, please also send cc to klby@comcast.net since I do not regularly review this site. Occasional user have problems also. Thanks
Mowing Yanmar FX-17 overheating
- Thread starter klby
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BoneStock
Bronze Member
Assuming the radiator and engine are full of coolant, this is what I would do.
Remove the radiator cap (tractor cold) and start and run, see if the coolant cycles or begins flowing after the engine warms up. If no movement or flow is happening you could have a bad or stuck thermostat, or water pump. Usually the pump and thermostat are replaced together in pairs.
If you DO have flow, let the thermostat cycle coolant a few times to clear any air out of the system (with the cap removed)
If your thermostat housing or outlet on the engine has a bleeder screw (most engines do not) you can bleed that way.
Remove the radiator cap (tractor cold) and start and run, see if the coolant cycles or begins flowing after the engine warms up. If no movement or flow is happening you could have a bad or stuck thermostat, or water pump. Usually the pump and thermostat are replaced together in pairs.
If you DO have flow, let the thermostat cycle coolant a few times to clear any air out of the system (with the cap removed)
If your thermostat housing or outlet on the engine has a bleeder screw (most engines do not) you can bleed that way.
Slowpoke Slim
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- Husqvarna YTH24V48 riding mower, Branson 3725CH
First thing I would do on a tractor that is a primary mower is to check to make sure you haven't plugged the radiator fins with chaff from the cuttings. Use an air compressor (on low pressure, no more than 20-30 psi), and a long air wand to reach in from the back side of the radiator and blow air forward through the fins. You may be surprised how much chaff comes flying out from between the radiator fins.
I have to do this on mine every time I mow with it.
Also, it is possible your thermostat is stuck closed, but I would try to blow out the fins first before checking anything else. And I doubt very much your water pump is bad. You'd have other, rather obvious symptoms as well. Such as a bunch of coolant leaking, or a blown out front bearing. If the bearing goes, it usually throws the fan through the radiator, (at least when one goes on one of my vehicles), and it leaves a rather tell-tale mess (plus a *bunch* of noise).
I have to do this on mine every time I mow with it.
Also, it is possible your thermostat is stuck closed, but I would try to blow out the fins first before checking anything else. And I doubt very much your water pump is bad. You'd have other, rather obvious symptoms as well. Such as a bunch of coolant leaking, or a blown out front bearing. If the bearing goes, it usually throws the fan through the radiator, (at least when one goes on one of my vehicles), and it leaves a rather tell-tale mess (plus a *bunch* of noise).
They call this a thermostat. You can check it by removing and boiling in a pot of water.. and/or check for temperature difference of the coolant hoses.
