2012 4010 Mahindra Daedong Engine Temperature Problem

[bbbmgo]

I just purchased a 2012 left-over for (what I thought was) a good price. I noticed the thermostat gauge was not operating and thought it may have been a bad gauge or temperature sensor. I called the dealership and the service manager apologized for the problem and that he "forgot" to tell about the known issue.

The service manager told the forty and fifty horsepower tractors did not have temperature readings that would not rise (unless it was ninety degrees out and it was being worked hard) due to an oil cooler issue. I was shown a TSB which referenced owners complaining of no cab heat (in the cab models). It was explained that Mahindra knew about the issue, but they did not consider the issue detrimental and were considering the issue, but were not scheduling a recall or permanent fix for the problem. The "fix" in the TSB was to put some sort of restriction in the "in" line of the oil cooler.

I was told that another customer put a valve in the "in" line and left it approximately ｼ turn closed to slow the coolant going to the cooler and, therefore, raising the temperature of the engine coolant and engine to an acceptable level. It was explained the thermostat is 160 degrees.

I searched other forum discussion and found that the oil temperature should be approximately twenty to forty degrees higher than engine operating temperature.

I took readings (with a handheld temperature gun) at the top of the metal portion of the radiator, y-coupling that splits the upper radiator hose with the 5/8 hose to the oil cooler, the exhaust manifold and a couple places on the block. As expected the exhaust manifold was the hottest, but only at 128 degrees. The other spots checked were all less than 100 degrees. This was after running the tractor for approximately forty minutes during a sixty degree day.

A neighbor of mine has the fifty horsepower and has the same problem.

I see the issue as detrimental to the long term engine life. In addition, I'd rather not reduce the cooling to oil cooler (as suggested). Has anyone else had experience with this issue and maybe have a suggestion to fix it (other than the band aid suggested by Mahindra)?

I am asking this ONLY of those that have experience the problem.

Thank you for your time.

 

[murphy1244]

There should be a thermostat bypass on the oil cooler.

 

[bbbmgo]

Ok, I fixed it last week.

Problem

Daedong thought it would be a good idea to bypass the thermostat with a 5/8" line split from the upper radiator hose to the oil cooler. Because they bypassed the thermostat, the engine never gets to proper operating temperature (mine was around 98 degrees).

Fix

I took out the Y on the upper radiator hose and used a radiator hose repair kit ($5 from Oreily's) to join the hose back together. I removed the temperature sensor and spent $40 at the local hardware store making a new Y out to the sensor and oil cooler. Some trimming and custom fitting is necessary to get all the parts to fit.

Results

The tractor is operating at normal operating temperature and it appears to have to more power. Mahindra is still working on a fix. The rep told me that, instead of moving the sensor, he wanted to take the small bypass hose (bypasses the water pump, under the thermostat housing) and put a Y in to accomplish the same results.

(The Mahindra rep said he is working on it, but appears less than appreciative that a customer showed that there was a problem and how to fix it. The rep referenced the TSB on the 50 and 60 hp but was not aware of the 40 having issue. He confirmed for me that this was not just my problem.)

 

[DavesTractor]

Obviously getting a tractor too hot is a big deal. But I agree with bbbmgo that running too cool isn't good in the long run either.

Part of the issue with getting the engineers to look at this seriously is that tractors in most parts of the world get started up and then hooked to an implement and worked, plowing, tilling, mowing, etc. In that application, they heat up fine. But in the USA, we so often use our smaller tractors to do chores. Load a little bit here, scrape the driveway a little, haul some firewood etc. That sort of use will not get these units up to temp.

 

[bbbmgo]

Prior to the 4010, I had a 3016 and never had an issue. My neighbor has the 50hp, works it like a dog, and also never saw the temperature rise without a 90 degree day (even then it was minimal).

Mahindra admitted to having a problem needing a fix, just not with the 40hp (referencing the TSB). I am sure a new TSB will come from this. My local dealer thanked me and had at least a couple customers he was going to pass the info to.

Normal operating temperature of any engine should be at least 160 degrees (if not closer to 200).

This is not user error, it's a manufacturer defect.