JD755 overheating final thoughts?

[BigNotEasyGuy]

While you have the head off take it to an automotive machine shop and have it checked for flatness. This will tell you if it was warped by the heat. Flush and reverse flush the block as well as the radiator. That may not remove all the gunk but it will take out the lion's share. Depending on construction and how far you want to go, if you remove the radiator you may be able to pull the water pump and inspect the vanes. Check it for easy spinning as well. While you were running are you sure your fan belt was tight? If you remove the temperature sensor a mechanical gauge should screw right in to replace it. The challenge will be mounting a gauge.

Sorry, my post was already long so I left out some details. The previous owner already added a temp guage, that's how I know the reading when it's overheating. The fan is attached to the front of the engine and spins all the time, it's not on a belt so I'm guessing that's not the issue. I think checking the water pump is a good idea. The technical manual doesn't address it so I'll have to do some research to figure out where it is on the 755.

 

[TimberHole]

A head gasket is not a huge job for a fairly experienced mechanic but is a big job for someone with limited experience. Still doable but you might want to recruit a little help or else Do your home work. You will need to set your valve clearance. Also, plan on taking the head to the machine shop and have it checked for cracks and flatness. Also a good time to check all the valves. Plan on spending 300 give or take on the head. Like others have said I would want to see some evidence the head was bad before pulling.

 

[beenthere]

BNEG
Water pump right behind the fan
https://partscatalog.deere.com/jdrc/sidebyside/equipment/66727/referrer/navigation/pgId/14578043

 

[dodge man]

Send in an oil sample to determine if there is bearing material in the oil. Black stone labs is a common one. To be honest with you I went back and looked at some of your old posts on this problem. It seems like you have been bouncing around with this problem for a couple of years and not making any progress. At some point you need to seek help and get it into an experience shop.

 

[BigNotEasyGuy]

A head gasket is not a huge job for a fairly experienced mechanic but is a big job for someone with limited experience. Still doable but you might want to recruit a little help or else Do your home work. You will need to set your valve clearance. Also, plan on taking the head to the machine shop and have it checked for cracks and flatness. Also a good time to check all the valves. Plan on spending 300 give or take on the head. Like others have said I would want to see some evidence the head was bad before pulling.

Thanks, that's great advice, I really appreciate it. I have done a head job on Chrysler K car in the past. It was a big job, and the most complicated thing I've done. I had to have the head ground at a machine shop, etc. It all turned out great so I thought I could handle the job on this tractor too. But I am trying to do as much research as I can since I've never worked on a diesel or tractor engine before. I will have to go look up videos on valve maintenance, if you have any links or anything let me know.

I assume the compression test would help to tell me if the head was bad? (As well as the infrared temp. check to make sure the water is circulating...) Is there something else you would check before doing the job?

 

[BigNotEasyGuy]

BNEG
Water pump right behind the fan
https://partscatalog.deere.com/jdrc/sidebyside/equipment/66727/referrer/navigation/pgId/14578043

Awesome thanks! I had the same thought after I posted, just poke around on the parts diagrams to figure it out. I wonder if there's a way to check the impeller without taking off the entire radiator and oil cooler. The oil cooler is tough to reattach and I don't want to give it a stress fracture by pulling it off.

 

[BigNotEasyGuy]

Send in an oil sample to determine if there is bearing material in the oil. Black stone labs is a common one. To be honest with you I went back and looked at some of your old posts on this problem. It seems like you have been bouncing around with this problem for a couple of years and not making any progress. At some point you need to seek help and get it into an experience shop.

You're not wrong Dave, my previous job had a lot of travel and I wasn't home long enough to devote time to this project. This March I changed jobs and then the pandemic hit so I've been home a lot more. I only use the tractor a couple of times a year on our property because of the overheating. I bought this tractor a few years ago and probably broke the relatively new engine by not checking my fluids (there was a leak in the old radiator that I didn't catch). I've fixed all the other problems and I'm learning as I go. I live east of Denver on 40 acres. I have looked for someone nearby to help me out but I haven't found anyone interested. I could go to the local dealer, but I'm just assuming the bill would be fairly significant and I've seen lots of posts about dealers not being able to fix things after multiple attempts so I'm a little hesitant to go that route.

This is an older tractor and my thought is that it's a good learning experience. I have more time now which is why I re-posted looking for advice before I tear into the engine. This forum and youtube are my primary information sources for tractor repair. I keep reading as much as I can and I'm hoping I can level up my skills so that the next tractor I get I won't be as ignorant as I am now.

Thanks for the tip on the oil test, I hadn't heard of that. I'll look into it, I don't think anyone brought that up before and it sounds like a good diagnostic. If you have any pointers on learning materials let me know. I've fixed a few old trucks so I'm not completely clueless around a wrench but I clearly got off to the wrong start with this JD. At this point I'm starting to become attached, the more blood, sweat and tears I put into it the more I want to get it running right.

Thanks for the tips.

 

[dodge man]

The oil sample should be done if you haven稚 changed the oil for a while. If you did a recent oil change it won稚 help. The report lists all sorts of things and I知 no expert at reading them but they highlight problem areas and explain what might be the cause. The big ones for you would be fuel dilution, anti freeze in the oil, and bearing material in the oil. I would hate to see you tear into the head to find out later the bearings are shot.

 

[Moukie]

I used the cheap HF oil psi kit to verify my JD755 oil pressure a couple years ago. A little difficult to get started, but worked fine.

 

[RustyA]

Possible if you know someone with a horoscope you could pull a hose off the water pump and get a look at impeller fins? That would save pulling the pump to check it out? Old antifreeze in diesels is tough on water pumps.