BX2200 overheats

[joe_tiac]

My BX2200 overheats after only about 30 minutes of mowing with 60" mid deck.

Coolant level is good - screens are clean - oil is good.

Could it be a bad thermostat? If so, how big a job to change it.

Tnx, Joe

 

[joe_tiac]

I should have mentioned that I'm 30 mi. West of Houston, TX.

It's currently 95 deg. F. at 5:40 in the evening. So I suspect the weather here is a factor. Maybe the machine should be configured differently for hot humid weather.

Joe

 

[frank_f15]

i don't know much about the BX2200, but i'll bet it should not be overheating after only 30 min, and should not be overheating at all. if this is new tractor, i would have the dealer look at it.

 

[sandyc]

Sounds like either the thermostat or maybe the hose is kinked ...having said that, however, make sure that the drive belts are not binding and that the bearings are free and lubed on the deck. There has been a thread discussing the lack of grease on the spindles on mower decks....just food for thought.

Good luck

 

[joe_tiac]

Thanks,
The drive belts are due for a greasing.
I suspect the thermostat is open - since when I stop to let it cool it boils as one would suspect with coolant in the block.

The little tractor is approaching 3 years old. It's always run hot, but seems to be getting worse - maybe the grease. It's also due for an oil and filter change which may help, as well as an air filter.

Before I go to the dealer, I'll make sure all the maintenence is up to date and see what happens then.

Thanks, Joe

 

[Tom_H]

Joe, I used to have the same problem with my BX2200. I was cleaning the outer screen in place and pulling out the inner screen to clean it. Still overheated all the time. I then took the outer screen off completely and with the inner screen pulled out I looked in at the radiator fins. The fan, which is in front of the radiator, but sucks air forward, had still drawn in dirty air and had imposed a circle of dust on the square face of the rear side of the radiator. I got the vaccuum, stuck that narrow extension up in there and got the dust off the face of the radiator itself. Temp. dropped right back to normal. So, insofar as airflow, two screen faces must be clean, but also the face of the radiator itself must be dust free as well. I realize yours may be clean and something else could be causing your BX to overheat, but anyway, this is what turned out to be the cause of my overheating.

Good Luck,
Tom

 

[joe_tiac]

Thanks, Tom,

You may have hit the nail on the head - I'll try cleaning the fins tomorrow and post results.

Still plenty of grass to practice on - 'been away on vacation for 2 weeks.

Rgds, Joe

 

[upgw]

Tom H probably has your answer. Mine does exactly the same thing, dirt manages to get past the two layers of air intake screen and plog up big chunks of the radiator. When the temp guage regularly gets past 1/2 when mowing, I know it's time to take it apart and blow out the radiator. I use compressed air from the engine side and also the battery side. Then she cools right down again.

- Patrick

 

[theboman]

A very important tool in tractor ownership is an air compressor with a blower attachment to keep the engine department blown out...amoung all the other things.

 

[sandyc]

Joe:

Just cleaned my radiator....the battery on my 2200 must create an air dam or some kind of vortex as there appears to be bridging of dust, dirt and stuff just behind the battery.....

The eastiest way to clean this is to lossen the battery hold-down and move the battery out of the way. Once that is done then you can either vac or blow the radiator clean......