Need guidance on why my fuel gauge got scorched

[MA1920]

I had a little time to look at the tractor today after the last camping trip of the season. There's good news and bad news. After putting in the new fuel sender and gauge, I have a functional fuel gauge :thumbsup: The bad news, temp gauge stuck on C.

A few observations I noticed while the tractor was running for about 20-25 minutes at around 1500-1700 rpm:
the top of the radiator was very warm to hot while the bottom was at most lukewarm. same with the upper and lower radiator hoses.
the thermostat housing was very warm to hot.
when I started the tractor the coolant recovery bottle was right between the low and full marks. after the 15-20 minutes, the coolant was above the full
mark. thermostat not opening?

After shutting the tractor off, I rechecked the wiring from the temp sensor to the back of gauge. There was continuity. I didn't replace the temp gauge because there was no obvious evidence of electrical overload as on the fuel gauge. Maybe the damage isn't visible and I need to pony up for a new temp sensor and gauge. Possibly a thermostat?

Thanks for staying interested.

Bob

 

[RickB]

The radiator is hotter where coolant from the engine enters and is cooler where it leaves the radiator and returns to the engine. Coolant warms and expands which shows up as a higher coolant level in the recovery tank.
Pretty much normal to me.

 

[MA1920]

The radiator is hotter where coolant from the engine enters and is cooler where it leaves the radiator and returns to the engine. Coolant warms and expands which shows up as a higher coolant level in the recovery tank.
Pretty much normal to me.

I fully understand how a cooling system works. When the radiator got that hot, I expected to see some movement in the temp gauge.

 

[RoyKing]

You could have an air lock see if the over flow is sucked back when cool. You can leave the cap off and when thermostat opens you should see flow.

 

[smilinjak]

I had a little time to look at the tractor today after the last camping trip of the season. There's good news and bad news. After putting in the new fuel sender and gauge, I have a functional fuel gauge :thumbsup: The bad news, temp gauge stuck on C.

A few observations I noticed while the tractor was running for about 20-25 minutes at around 1500-1700 rpm:
the top of the radiator was very warm to hot while the bottom was at most lukewarm. same with the upper and lower radiator hoses.
the thermostat housing was very warm to hot.
when I started the tractor the coolant recovery bottle was right between the low and full marks. after the 15-20 minutes, the coolant was above the full
mark. thermostat not opening?

After shutting the tractor off, I rechecked the wiring from the temp sensor to the back of gauge. There was continuity. I didn't replace the temp gauge because there was no obvious evidence of electrical overload as on the fuel gauge. Maybe the damage isn't visible and I need to pony up for a new temp sensor and gauge. Possibly a thermostat?

Thanks for staying interested.

Bob

All observed indicators are normal. Thermostat is opening. Radiator is flowing. The coolant recovery bottle fluid level isn’t excessive until it runs out the top. Its main purpose is to exclude air from the cooling system. Never allow it to get below the low line and check the coolant level by the cold level in the recovery container daily. Try to avoid removing the radiator cap more frequently than once a week to exclude as much air as possible.
Unfortunately most electrical parts aren’t returnable so you can’t buy both the sender and gauge then return the one you don’t need. I would guess the gauge is the culprit. With ignition on, engine not running touch the sensor terminal with a grounded wire and look for needle movement on the gauge. There are other more complicated tests but this is quick and cheap.
Smilinjak

 

[Scrambler82]

I had a little time to look at the tractor today after the last camping trip of the season. There's good news and bad news. After putting in the new fuel sender and gauge, I have a functional fuel gauge :thumbsup: The bad news, temp gauge stuck on C.

A few observations I noticed while the tractor was running for about 20-25 minutes at around 1500-1700 rpm:
the top of the radiator was very warm to hot while the bottom was at most lukewarm. same with the upper and lower radiator hoses.
the thermostat housing was very warm to hot.
when I started the tractor the coolant recovery bottle was right between the low and full marks. after the 15-20 minutes, the coolant was above the full
mark. thermostat not opening?

After shutting the tractor off, I rechecked the wiring from the temp sensor to the back of gauge. There was continuity. I didn't replace the temp gauge because there was no obvious evidence of electrical overload as on the fuel gauge. Maybe the damage isn't visible and I need to pony up for a new temp sensor and gauge. Possibly a thermostat?

Thanks for staying interested.

Bob

As stated the Radiator appears to be working the way it should, hot water in on the top and out on the bottom... i.e. top hotter than the bottom.

The Temp Gauge, did you try reversing the wires ?
Sometimes during the repair the wires may have gotten mixed up, and the gauge is trying to move backwards.
I am not even sure if it is possible but worth the shot before buying a new gauge you can't return.
Also, have you done the Tap Test ? LoL !

AND... my last but not least suggestion, maybe a new aftermarket or homemade panel with new aftermarket gauges, something to think on, if the cost of new gauges and senders are high !

 

[RoyKing]

most temp gauges are single wire put an ohm meter on it and see if it changes as it heats up. Use a small bulb as resistor and hook the meter to the bulb then other lead to ground see if moves.

 

[MA1920]

Well, it failed to move when I grounded the sensor terminal. But wait, it gets worse. The temp gauge is no longer supported by CNH. The past two days I've started to call some tractor salvage yards to see what's available. If that fails I may have to go the custom route.

 

[smilinjak]

Well, it failed to move when I grounded the sensor terminal. But wait, it gets worse. The temp gauge is no longer supported by CNH. The past two days I've started to call some tractor salvage yards to see what's available. If that fails I may have to go the custom route.

Your dealer may be able to put out a search of dealers around the country for a dealer with old inventory that would like to get ris of a gauge as much as you would like to have one. Won’t hurt to ask. Good luck. ��
Smilinjak

 

[Scrambler82]

Well, it failed to move when I grounded the sensor terminal. But wait, it gets worse. The temp gauge is no longer supported by CNH. The past two days I've started to call some tractor salvage yards to see what's available. If that fails I may have to go the custom route.

Sorry to hear !
But the good side IS you might get a custom dash... no more dealers to worry about for the dash ! LoL !

I hope you can find one through the Used or New/Old Stock System, I find a lot of Ford Ranger Parts I need in the New/Old Stock System Ford put in place. They must have got tired of throwing out all of the old stuff.

Good Luck on the hunt !