Chronic Kioti DK40 SE Overheating - Seeking Advice on Removing Thermostat

[J&K]

I agree with the above posts. Sounds like radiator may be restricted from debris.
I use these (radiator Genie)all the time and they help keep fins clean.

 

[Rhino35]

Instead of brake clean get some foaming condenser cleaners;
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=coil+cleaner+evaporator&language=en_US&adgrpid=1241349618394703&hvadid=77584481301639&hvbmt=bp&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=97755&hvnetw=s&hvqmt=p&hvtargid=kwd-77584599001081:loc-190&hydadcr=11916_13414375&msclkid=b507a31aa69a1bb92b1ec59a22cc14aa&tag=txtstdbgdt-20&ref=pd_sl_5v59vpqtfj_p
Clean the radiator and oil coolers from both sides with cleaner and a good gentle rinse.

Lou,

I ordered a can of that stuff, and I ordered an infrared temp. gun too. I can use the gun to look at a few other things too.

First step will be a thorough cleaning, then I'll work the tractor and see where the temperatures are (if they go up, hopefully they won't!).

 

[Rhino35]

I agree with the above posts. Sounds like radiator may be restricted from debris.
I use these (radiator Genie)all the time and they help keep fins clean.

Those look like pressure washer attachments. How do you use them?

 

[Rhino35]

I know first things first, but any thoughts on if the engine is heating up after cleaning removing the thermostat? Given the never lower than 40 degree engine starts and not running the tractor in winter?

I know the book answer - interested in any real world experiences doing it.

I changed one myself - not too hard - so I could remove it, test the tractor again, and always put a second new one in on the theory I did get two malfunctioning thermostats - OEM weren't very expensive.

Or...an upgraded thermostat? I saw some comments on Wi-Fi ones.

 

[AirOpsMgr]

Those look like pressure washer attachments. How do you use them?

One attaches to an air Chuck and the other attaches to a standard hose. I use the same as pictured for my Kioti DKSE, the air wand let's you get in behind the radiators and blow out, works extremely well

 

[Rhino35]

One attaches to an air Chuck and the other attaches to a standard hose. I use the same as pictured for my Kioti DKSE, the air wand let's you get in behind the radiators and blow out, works extremely well

Do you like a particular brand? The ones in the photo?

 

[Rhino35]

I agree with the above posts. Sounds like radiator may be restricted from debris.
I use these (radiator Genie)all the time and they help keep fins clean.

Whoops! Radiator Genie brand! Thx!

 

[IH3444]

Had a chevy truck with 350ci engine, heavy duty 4 pass radiator, almost new. Clean. Turned out after testing the thermostat it was faulty. New Thermostat, 180degree one, problem solved. Tested by heating it on stove in pot of water, checking temp at opening with thermometer. it was sticking.

 

[stevem5215]

I've had this overheating problem too. I owned (sold a few years ago) a Ford 1900 35ish hp with a woods 72" rear discharge mower deck. That thing would over heat too easily also. Used it that way for years and finally I took off the radiator and took it to a tank cleaning shop and they boiled it and welded the leaks that had occurred after I tried some home acid cleaning solutions to clean it myself (bad idea btw) and it worked much better after that. I didn't keep it for long afterwards, maybe a year and didn't really try grass that was too tall again like springtime grass gets around here. Tall and thick. That's what always overheated that thing.

My 2nd example was our FarmPro 2420 with the 2cyl ty395 engine (2003 model year). When I'd run the 5ft mower deck on it, even when new that thing you could run it hard and the temps would start to rise. Slow it down and they'd drop. When I'd take the 5ft mower (finish deck) off it and put on the 4 ft rough cut deck it'd never overheat in any gear. Some machines just are capable of over loading the engine and heating it up too much. On that one I'd be able to stop and idle it for a while around 1000 rpm and it would cool down to the normal range. But going back out with the finish deck and my regular speeds with higher grass just would increase it again. It was a PIA as when you have acreage to cut you want to just get it done and not slow down that much. That tractor was eventually sold. We got our money's worth out of it though. $3,000 brand new. Kept it for 20 years.

 

[Williy]

Have you put your thermostat in a pan of water with a thermometer to see if the stat is working? You should be able to check with the temp of the stat with the meter

willy