How about suggestions on how to clean mess out of the radiator. The passageways are all plugged with oily sludge that looks like lard. Diesel fuel or some other solvent? What about inside the engine? Could it be run with soap and water assuming I can fix the leak and then drained and rinsed.
4120 R.I.P. she died today
- Thread starter tlm720
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jeff9366
Super Star Member
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- Jan 14, 2011
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- 12,777
- Tractor
- Kubota Tractor Loader L3560 HST+ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 3,700 pounds bare tractor, 5,400 pounds operating weight, 37 horsepower
It has just fainted, not died.
Try smelling salts.
Try smelling salts.
jenkinsph
Super Star Member
I would take the radiator off and have it cleaned at a radiator shop. I am curious how to get the rest of the system clean and suspect that may take some washing, degreasing and labor. Some shops have a pump to circulate a cleaning solution thruough the system (without running the engine) and I would inquire about this first. Might be able to pull the radiator and the circulate a cleaner solution through the top and bottom hoses after removing the thermostat. Just some suggestions someone elso hopefully will chime in with more experience.
yelbike
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- Near Winnipeg, Mb, Canada
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- John Deere 2305, 2320,Z465
Does it still run?
What about an additive to the coolant like STP or something like it. Flush it a few times and you should be good to go.
What about an additive to the coolant like STP or something like it. Flush it a few times and you should be good to go.
jenkinsph
Super Star Member
Thought about this again this morning and think I would flush the system as Yellbike mentions. Since the oil will float to the top on the water I think you should be able to get enough of it out to be good. Do you still have warranty?
Okay here's the latest. There was no way water was going to travel through the radiator initially. Couldn't even fill it. First I pulled the oil cooler, cleaned it up, and leak tested the coolant side to 20 psi while submerging the rest of it under water. Did not see any leaks. Then I pulled the thermostat, bypassed the oil cooler, and filled the radiator with diesel. Then I removed the serpintine belt and belted the water pump to an electric motor and let the diesel circulate for 30 minutes or so.
Then I drained the diesel and filled it with water and degreaser. I blocked the radiator with a plastic bag (thermostat removed) and started her up until it got warm and then drained it. I did this several times. Then I rinsed the engine and radiator with the garden hose, put the thermostat back in and put it all back together. I still have the oil cooler bypassed. I added about a quart or two of oil. Then I ran it some lightly and it acts and sounds normal. I drained the water again and it was clear.
No pressure built up in the radiator that would suggest combustion gasses leaking into the radiator. My overflow cap blew because the vent line was plugged with the oily spooge.
I believe I have a small leak of pressurized oil into the coolant system, but where? The head has an external oil line running to it so I am thinking there is no pressurized oil running through the head gasket. Maybe it is the oil cooler so it is still bypassed. Maybe the head is cracked somewhere. There is no sign of coolant in the oil at all. So it is runnable but I know there is a problem yet.
I believe I have a small leak of pressurized oil into the coolant system, but where? The head has an external oil line running to it so I am thinking there is no pressurized oil running through the head gasket. Maybe it is the oil cooler so it is still bypassed. Maybe the head is cracked somewhere. There is no sign of coolant in the oil at all. So it is runnable but I know there is a problem yet.
jenkinsph
Super Star Member
Sounds like you made good progress today.:thumbsup:
I assume you are running the engine with oil cooler installed on engine with the coolant lines looped back into the engine? If so and the cooler is leaking, some oil should start coming out of the hose nipples on the cooler. If you have no oil leaking there, then the cooler is probably ok. Is there any chance someone vandalized your tractor by pouring oil into radiator?
