Coolant being discharged and now overheating - 2003 TC30

[GregMiddleton]

Good day all,

Tractor - 2003 TC30

Problem Description -
Anti-freeze discharging from light blue tube that runs next to fuel overflow/oil filter area (not directly out of rad)
Tractor now over heating under load. Not that I would let it, but I get the sense it would continue to get hot enough to get into the red.
Anti-Freeze is good, but does run down a bit due to discharge. No evidence of oil in anti-freeze. No evidence of anti-freeze in oil.
Engine and Hydraulic Oil was recently changed.

Any thoughts you guys have sure would be appreciated.... Thanks and cheers, Greg.

 

[rScotty]

Good day all,

Tractor - 2003 TC30

Problem Description -
Anti-freeze discharging from light blue tube that runs next to fuel overflow/oil filter area (not directly out of rad)
Tractor now over heating under load. Not that I would let it, but I get the sense it would continue to get hot enough to get into the red.
Anti-Freeze is good, but does run down a bit due to discharge. No evidence of oil in anti-freeze. No evidence of anti-freeze in oil.
Engine and Hydraulic Oil was recently changed.

Any thoughts you guys have sure would be appreciated.... Thanks and cheers, Greg.

I'd say that your thermostat - located somewhere near the upper radiator hose - is stuck closed and as the engine heats it begins to boil the water in the block. Pressure builds up enough to push the water back into the radiator through the lower radiator hose and it comes out the overflow.

That's actually pretty common. Replace the thermostat; it's a simple job. You can run without a thermostat this time of the year if you have to order one. Running without a thermostat causes the engine to run too cool and therefore inefficient with a bit more wear. But for a week or two it won't matter.
rScotty

 

[Roadworthy]

Make sure the air passages through the radiator fins are clear and free of dust. If airflow is blocked the radiator can't dissipate heat as intended.

 

[KWentling]

Head gasket leaking compression into a coolant passage can also cause that. They make test strips that detect that. Can also run with the radiator cap off and see if there are bubbles in the coolant. Don't take the cap off a hot engine though.

 

[GregMiddleton]

I'd say that your thermostat - located somewhere near the upper radiator hose - is stuck closed and as the engine heats it begins to boil the water in the block. Pressure builds up enough to push the water back into the radiator through the lower radiator hose and it comes out the overflow.

That's actually pretty common. Replace the thermostat; it's a simple job. You can run without a thermostat this time of the year if you have to order one. Running without a thermostat causes the engine to run too cool and therefore inefficient with a bit more wear. But for a week or two it won't matter.
rScotty

Thanks for the feedback.... yes I was thinking thermostat as well. Do you happen to know what that blue tube is.... it is NOT the overflow that is tied into the rad, but rather it runs adjacent to the oil filter where the diesel fill overflow tube is...... tried to find in reference manuals but NH not making it easy..... tried to ask my dealer but they are idiots and won't answer a simple question preferring me to bring it in..... Thanks again and cheers.

 

[rScotty]

Thanks for the feedback.... yes I was thinking thermostat as well. Do you happen to know what that blue tube is.... it is NOT the overflow that is tied into the rad, but rather it runs adjacent to the oil filter where the diesel fill overflow tube is...... tried to find in reference manuals but NH not making it easy..... tried to ask my dealer but they are idiots and won't answer a simple question preferring me to bring it in..... Thanks again and cheers.

No, I don't know what that tube is. I just figured that with the symptoms you mentioned that it must be tied into the coolant system somewhere.
I assume it is open-ended and that is where you are losing coolant. So the other end must be connected to something.... have you tracked it down? Most cooling systems have an overflow somewhere on the top of the radiator or close to the cap. And some have another overflow that is part of the plastic coolant reservoir. Got a photo?

Like the others posting, I'm assuming that you have cleaned or at least checked the radiator fins - low pressure garden hose, soap, and a soft brush from inside the engine compartment is a good way to go..... And maybe look to see that the fan shroud is in place with gasketing if it ever had such. The fan shroud forces the fan to draw air through the radiator rather than from the sides.

I'll look around and see if I can find some literature. You might also post on the NH/Ford forum here on TBN. Lots of folks there.

Just for general info, Most thermostats open at around 190F. You can check them in a pan of water on the stove.
rScotty

 

[5030]

If it's not the T'stat you will probably be taking it in because it's a perforated head gasket. As has been said, remove the rad cap, start the motor and observe. if there are bubbles in the coolant... blown head gasket. Cannot remember who makes the small NH motors but they are foreign made, I know that. Maybe Yanmar, not sure.

 

[airbiscuit]

It's amazing how a bit of fluff or chaff in the radiator cooling fins or screen in front of it can cause an engine to overheat. I would check that out first. Also, when the engine is cold, I would open the radiator cap and top it off with coolant Sometimes it doesn't pull coolant back from the resevoir.

 

[GregMiddleton]

Thank you again for your interest and replies..... changed out the thermostat and all is good! The blue tube appear to run to the top of the valve cover.... it goes from a tube to what appears to be a thermally rated tube.... no more coolant from that or the overflow connected to the top of the rad.

Thanks again and cheers, Greg.

 

[GregMiddleton]

Thank you all for your interest and replies..... changed out the thermostat and all is good! The blue tube appear to run to the top of the valve cover.... it goes from a tube to what appears to be a thermally rated tube.... no more coolant from that or the overflow connected to the top of the rad.

Thanks again and cheers, Greg.