CK20 Running Too Hot

CBB · Sep 5, 2007

I read this older post http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...er-circulation-problem.html?highlight=heating

My CK 20 has run hot before on hot days...clogged screen, reserve low and running wide open mowing with a 6 ft. finishing mower. Cleaned the screen, added to reserve and ran cooler. Never ran into the red.

Now it is running too hot and cleaning the screen is not helping. Reserve is full. New March 2006 so under warranty.

Recommendations?

bluechip · Sep 5, 2007

95percent of the time (in my experience), overheating is caused by a clogged radiator. try flushing the radiator itself from the fan side (engine off of course) toward the front with garden hose. dont use pressure washer or high pressure air in case you bend the fins over. IMHO 6' finish mower is abit big for 20HP.you might want to follow an old rule of thumb: cut the grass before it is higher than the wheels on the finish mower. a 5' would be a great match to a 20hp size tractor... In any case, try cleaning the radiator before you take it in for warranty, might save a trip.

Trac-Tech · Sep 6, 2007

I agree with bluechip, it will be that the radiator is clogged between the fins. The only thing different that I would suggest is to use compressed air instaed of water if you have a compressor.
The reason for this is that the water will force the dirt and debris out, but some will turn to sludge and stay there. If you use air, you can use more pressure without damage to the fins and it will generally blow everything out.
Dont forget to clean down the front of the tractor after you have finished though as the fan will just suck it all back into the radiator on you and it wont take long to block again.
Be warned that it will take the longest time to clean it this time, but if you keep on top of it as general maintenance when mowing, it wont take long at all.
All the best with this.

CBB · Sep 6, 2007

Thanks for the tips. As to the mower, it was free so the price was hard to beat. I do have the 5' bush hog for the deep stuff. 6' works fine as long as I keep up with the mowing.
Will try your solutions.
Thanks again.

bluechip said:
95percent of the time (in my experience), overheating is caused by a clogged radiator. try flushing the radiator itself from the fan side (engine off of course) toward the front with garden hose. dont use pressure washer or high pressure air in case you bend the fins over. IMHO 6' finish mower is abit big for 20HP.you might want to follow an old rule of thumb: cut the grass before it is higher than the wheels on the finish mower. a 5' would be a great match to a 20hp size tractor... In any case, try cleaning the radiator before you take it in for warranty, might save a trip.

IslandTractor · Sep 7, 2007

I'll add my experience with my CK20. The temperature gauge was reliably midline except when 1) the radiator screen was clogged and 2) occasionally when mowing in heavy grass with the 5ft finish mower set a bit too low. I'd guess your six foot mower is the issue if the radiator screen and radiator itself are not clogged externally. I find it hard to imagine that a 2006 CK20 could have an internally clogged radiator.

Trac-Tech · Sep 7, 2007

IslandTractor, I agree that the radiator should not be blocked internally after only no more than a years use. But for anyone else reading here, you need to keep on top of changing the coolant annually, the reason for this is it slowly glugs up in the radiator and blocks the tubes after a few years. In most cases the coolant acts as a cleaning agent and when changed out for fresh stuff, gives the radaitor a clean internally at the same time as doing it's job.
Sorry if I wasn't very clear, when I was talking about cleaning the radiator in my previous post, it was for the external fins and as bluechip mentioned, please blow from the fan side forward.
Hope this is of help to everyone.

IslandTractor · Sep 7, 2007

Trac Tech,

With that clarification I agree completely. I imagine going a couple of years between radiator coolant changes would not be too bad but your point is well taken. Funny, we talk all the time about hydro oil and motor oil changes but the coolant maintenance schedule gets overlooked. I haven't checked my manual but don't even recall it being mentioned. We tend to focus on the number of hours of operation for oils but I suppose just plain age is a factor for coolant.

Highbeam · Sep 7, 2007

I was just thinking the same thing as IT. I am all over the maintenance for this machine but don't recall an interval for coolant change on the chart. I have noticed the convenient remote draincock on the frame though.

I have 550 some hours of radiator clogging time on my CK with the (gasp) original coolant.

Lots of leaf blower exterior radiator cleanings.

TractorLegend · Sep 8, 2007

If one wanted to get fancy there are pH test strips sold that one could dip in to see iffn your Kryptonite juice is diseased. Scale and crud builds up over time regardless and ought be flushed every couple years. I would go a bit further than just a radiator drain if possible and look for a block plug or head casting pipe plug that could be removed to garden hose flush. Its best to use premix coolant since they add distilled water as opposed to tap. Your favorite repair shop ought be able to take your old stuff. Most shops have to pay a service around a buck a gallon to dispose of it- they may have to charge accordingly

bluechip · Sep 8, 2007

The radiator blockage will not be inside the liquid part of the radaitor but in the air part between the front and rear surface. (is that inside or outside?) some dust/debris gets past the screens and can stop up a radiator air flow. This has been the cause of most overheating problems I have seen on Kioti and other brands of tractors.
Also, I had a customer who thought the screen I was asking him to clean was the grill on the outside of the hood.... once he opened his hood, he found the problem.