Coolant leak

Skip G · Sep 18, 2006

After putting in a small vineyard a few years ago, it became pretty obvious I needed a tractor. After looking at all the various brands, new and used I decided it was a Kubota I wanted. I found a BX2200 with a 60" belly mower on it with only 18 hours of service. I bought the tractor in the spring of 05 and added the loader and 15 gallon sprayer that mounts to my 3 point. It's a real nice setup for what I use it for in the vineyard.
Yesterday, I noticed after the tractor warmed up, I had coolant leaking.
It was not overheating and it was not coming from the top radiator hose, nor the overflow bottle.
Going to check the bottom hoses tonight, but has anyone heard of a water pump going out so soon? Any easy checks without having to pull the belly mower off ? Hard to see those hoses with it on. I'm hoping it's only a loose clamp.
Thanks

SPYDERLK · Sep 18, 2006

The water pump on my BX1500 went out at about 200 hrs - - replaced under warranty. The repacement is still going at 880hr. How many hours on yours?
Larry

Skip G · Sep 19, 2006

thanks for the reply
I have 155 hours. Checked it out last night, definitely the water pump.
Waiting for info from dealer who is checking with Kubota on original purchase date.
I guess it's safe to operate for short periods as long as I keep overflow filled ?
It's harvest time, and I don't know if I can get it fixed in time.

bigjohnkub · Sep 19, 2006

SKIPG, JUST A NOTE OF INFO. KUBOTA WARRANTS THE MACNINE, NOT THE OWNER. ANY KUBOTA DEALER CAN CHECK PURCHASE DATES WITH MODEL AND SERIAL NUMBER.

KennyV · Sep 19, 2006

Skip G said:
I guess it's safe to operate for short periods as long as I keep overflow filled ?
It's harvest time, and I don't know if I can get it fixed in time.

Keeping the overflow full will not necessarily keep the radiator full… When you shut off the engine, it will cool and attempt to pull coolant into the radiator from the overflow tank, HOWEVER it will instead pull air in through the water pump’s failed seal. This will allow the coolant level in the radiator to continue to drop until it over heats.
Check actual radiator coolant level until this is repaired. Discontinue use if you can not keep adding at least fast enough to keep from over heating. KennyV.

Skip G · Sep 19, 2006

Thanks for the infomation.
Probably best to either not use or use very sparingly until fixed.
Turns out this tractor was purchased in Sept 03 and traded in the spring of 05 with only 18 hours. Could not get this replaced under the warranty, since it's already over 3 years old.
I suspect seal was dryed out / damaged from such limited use. In speaking with another local dealer, they said they have only sold 1 of these pumps, which is used on several different models in the past 5 years.