Century 2535 - need a new head

[wilkija]

Well the saga continues. Took it out this weekend to do some work. It ran great but noticed I had a coolant leak. Turns out that this part is cracked. Does anyone know what part # this is? Is it specific to this engine or would I be able to go to any tractor dealer and get one?

What is that? Fill it with coolant and take it to the dealer LOL! I see the second picture is the head where the water pump goes. what's the first one of? where is the crack? I would think if it's cracked, take it back to the guy that did your head. he probably can do that too.

 

[Huckster]

It’s the piece that attaches to the water pump and goes into the block. It’s Aluminum And cracked all the way through on both sides

 

[MTGreen]

The part doesn't look that complicated it could be fabricated in a machine shop if you can't find one elsewhere

 

[Huckster]

I ended up buying a brand new water pump. Installed it yesterday, filled up all the fluids and she started right up. Sounded Great as it was idling and then the radiator starts spewing. There is a crack up by the base of the cap. Does anyone know of an aftermarket or generic radiator that will fit?

 

[TractorTYMe]

Does it have plastic endcaps on it, or is it metal? You'd think a capable radiator shop could fix it if it is all metal?

 

[wilkija]

Man! that sucks. You almost got it going though. How much was that water pump? would you be willing to ship me yours? I would pay cost of course. I have been looking into figuring out a rebuild kit for mine when the time comes. spec out the bearings, sleeves and seals along with impeller. would be nice to have a spare to tear down.

 

[wilkija]

Hey huckster, Has your luck changed on that tractor yet? you ever find a radiator? if you did, let us know where you got it. thanks

 

[sallyb]

I expected the head to crack on my Branson because it sit not running in a field. I have the good luck to have a brother who is diesel man He got it started and I drove it around 2 years before head cracked, brother told me to order heads, thermostat, radiator, gaskets, new belts , water pump and fan. He said do it now because if I didn’t these would fail. I ordered and he replaced them. Next hydraulic pump went out, that was nightmare brother helped me take old one off, I put new one on and it blew bolts out, at over 600 I couldn’t afford to buy another, I tapped and died put in steel coils, not helicoils, I put it back on and it has
not had issue, then I couldn’t get hydraulics to work, brother said air inline, I decided to change hydraulic oil and filters, that is when I discovered strainer behind big hydraulic filter, cleaned and changed hydraulic oil for 3rd time, but hydraulics worked. I took loader rods to machine shop had them rebuilt. It was all worthwhile, I now have planar fracture and can’t operate it for awhile, so no gardening this year. I understand what you’re going through, happy tractor time to you!
Oh had to replace back tire by the time it was mounted it was right at $400, had already replaced front tires, and I haven’t had chance to replace seat, but bought new seat.
The little 2910i Branson is worth it.

 

[MTGreen]

I know some folks are happy with their Kujke engines/tractors, but this thread and post 88 makes me never want to even consider owning one

 

[TractorTYMe]

Many happy owners of Kukje engines. Myself included. There are hundred of thousands of these engines out there in ag industries through out the world.

 

[MTGreen]

Makes me think the Korean tractor industry may be following the same track as the Korean auto industry: importing cheap unreliable rattletrap 100k throwaway garbage for the first couple decades before getting their act together in the quality department.
Personally, those couple decades soured me for life on Kia and Hyundai no matter what awards they are winning with current models and I'm leaning that way with Kukje also. Current ones may be great; but for myself, I'll stick with tried and true Japanese and American equipment

 

[EddieWalker]

My 2003 Century 2535's engine has been flawless. All my issues have been electrical. A few years ago I removed every single wire and then just wired up the bare basics. It starts quickly every time now, and I actually think that I have more power. At least it seems to pull the 6 foot rotary cutter better then I can remember it.

I wouldn't buy another because of all the issues I've had trying to get parts. If you can find anything aftermarket, go that route before trying to get it from the dealer. Odds are very good that if you've had the tractor for a few years, you're dealer has closed down.

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

I know some folks are happy with their Kujke engines/tractors, but this thread and post 88 makes me never want to even consider owning one

More for us then

 

[Saig]

I ended up buying a brand new water pump. Installed it yesterday, filled up all the fluids and she started right up. Sounded Great as it was idling and then the radiator starts spewing. There is a crack up by the base of the cap. Does anyone know of an aftermarket or generic radiator that will fit?

Huckster
Thought I would try to message you to see how’s things are with your Century 2535.
I have a 2002 Century 3035 with the same engine as yours, the cylinder head also cracked in the same place as yours in the center cylinder, I took it to a place to get repaired and only used it a couple times and the repair failed, not finding any replacements and now I have been told once it has been welded it can’t be welded again so, in a pickle for sure.

 

[sallyb]

I know this is old post, but in July 2016 the head cracked on my 2007 Branson 2910i , it is very same as your Century, I called several places, I am in West Texas, and found one at Anderson Tractor Sales 115 CR 305,
Carthage,Tx. 75633;Phone 903-693-6628. I received:3 -spacers for fuel injectors- part-HRA0404900A4;
Intake manifold Gasket - Part-HRA0500200A3.
Part: HRA1200200A3(CWP Cover) Gasket. Part: HRD0402400B3:Head Cover Gasket. Part: HRD0600200A3:Gasket Exhaust Manifold.art HRR0100400A2: Gasket, Head(A1700) new verson w/2 elongated holes. Part: HRR220C001A9: Cylinder Head Assembly (A1700). Total +Shipping $40 was $1371. I remember one shop I talked to it would have been over $1600

Tractor data say its a Kukje, who is now owned by tym, so maybe start with a TYM dealer, and then a regional rep on some help. Maybe they can find one in Korea and throw it in a parts shipment.

 

[Saig]

Thank you for the info, I will check these out.

 

[Zork]

Not sure how accurate it is, but I recently heard that the EPA is cracking down on repair parts for older engines that would not pass current emission standards.
Might be the case here?

That stinks!

 

[Zork]

I am taking the head to a machine shop tomorrow to see if it’s repairable. I called a different Branson dealer and they recommended trying to fix it first but did say there are parts still available. It is the Kukje 3T90L engine.

Is there a drop in replacement for the engine available? It stinks, but 4/5k is a cheap fix for a tractor that size

 

[Century3040]

Since we're talking about the 3t90L, does anyone know where I can get rod bearings and piston rings? I found a place that had standard sizes but just can't find my notes with there contact information. Any help would be greatly appreciated,

 

[5030]

Not sure how accurate it is, but I recently heard that the EPA is cracking down on repair parts for older engines that would not pass current emission standards.
Might be the case here?

Only concerning total replacement engines, not replacing individual parts. The suspect engine would have to suffer a catastrophic failure like a tossed connecting rod to qualify under that EPA premise.

Find a competent weld shop and inquire with them about welding the cracks but yo will still need to take it to a machine shop for the finish work.