1973 Ford 4000 Diesel Showing Hot

[deere5105]

Recently the temp gauge has been moving all the way to hot and staying there. Pulled radiator with intent to replace thermostat that might be sticking. Found that there was no thermostat in place. Since had one to ready to replace went ahead and installed it. Ran tractor again with same results. Picked up new temp sensor and changed it out. Ran tractor again with same results.

Tractor gives no indication it is overheating. From reading only other component involved could be voltage stabilizer which was replaced last year while troubleshooting a charging issue. All original components still in place and working as it should. Only issue is needle moving to hot.

Any one ran into this and found issue?

 

[Harry in Ky]

Issues with the temp gauges on those tractors are fairly common. I don't make too many attempts to correct them, as both the senders and the cluster units can be replaced with minimal improvement and little confidence in the accuracy. I suggest forget it and add a manual gauge. There is a 3/8" pipe port in the intake manifold near the #3 cylinder that works just fine for a mechanical gauge. Have done that many times on three and four cylinder tractors.

 

[John0829]

Sounds to me like you may have a wiring problem, the wire has been rubbed bare somewhere

 

[stevem5215]

Flow test the radiator at a Rad shop. That's what was wrong with my 1900. Cleaned up and acid bath and some new black paint and it was good to go.

 

[deere5105]

Issues with the temp gauges on those tractors are fairly common. I don't make too many attempts to correct them, as both the senders and the cluster units can be replaced with minimal improvement and little confidence in the accuracy. I suggest forget it and add a manual gauge. There is a 3/8" pipe port in the intake manifold near the #3 cylinder that works just fine for a mechanical gauge. Have done that many times on three and four cylinder tractors.

That may be what it comes to. Can’t recall what gauge it was for, but one previous failed repair attempt by one shop ended with them adding a gauge like that. Took it to another shop and they found the problem and got us back to all original gauges. (This is not my tractor and I can’t recall exactly what the issue was.)

 

[deere5105]

Sounds to me like you may have a wiring problem, the wire has been rubbed bare somewhere

I believe it’s all original wiring. Very possible could be the culprit.

 

[deere5105]

Flow test the radiator at a Rad shop. That's what was wrong with my 1900. Cleaned up and acid bath and some new black paint and it was good to go.

When was in shop last they cleaned the radiator and installed new cap. Water pump not very old. When had the radiator off to check thermostat was able to look it over good. Appeared to still be very clean.