ferguson to-35 possible overheating

[brown91]

So I bought a 50 something (serial tag missing) to-35. I brought it home and noticed a radiator leak, so I replaced radiator, hoses and thermostat (tested thermostat). So I ran it yesterday for about 20 minutes or so to get it hot and check for leaks. I was very happy, not a drop anywhere, but noticed the temperature gauge appeared to not be working (it didn't budge from 0). So I backed it into my garage and shut it off. A minute or two later while I was closing the garage door, it started spewing coolant out of the radiator overflow tube. I gave it a few minutes to cool down, maybe 15 min. or so and touched the hoses and sides of the radiator. All seemed pretty cool to the touch. The top of the radiator was warm, but not hot.

As it was continuing to cool I hit the internet. Of course, there are a number of possible causes. I even read a couple of people stating that the coolant level when cool should just cover the core, not filled to the rim like I had done. They said the coolant would expand and need to spew out the excess. Seems reasonable, but I am not sure if this is true.

I continued to let it fully cool and returned later last night, removed the radiator cap and fired it back up to see if the water pump was working. The water was completely motionless. I didn't let it continue to run, but I am wondering if the thermostat would need to open before I would notice the water moving if the water pump is functioning correctly. The coolant looked normal, I didn't notice any bubbles and I didn't notice any oil (I'm not sure I know what that looks like though).

I know i need to replace the sending unit and get a new gauge so I can measure the water temp, but I have a couple of other questions:

Should the coolant only cover the core of the radiator as I had read?
Should I wait until the thermostat opens to see if the water pump is working?

Thanks in advance for any help you guys can give.

 

[seville009]

I think it should only cover the core.

had a similar experience with my skidsteer. No overflow bottle. Was checking the fluids one boring day and topped off the coolant (right to the brim). Started getting coolant "leaks" and kept topping it off.

Finally figured out that I should not be filling it up as high as I was, and haven't had any issues since. I do still check the level, and it stays consistent (so no actual leaks)

 

[Agvg]

You will not have any flow before the thermostat opens, it's very unlikely that the pump dosent work so run it and see if it opens when warm. Did you change the radiator cap? It's a very important part of the cooling system and often neglected.

 

[Agvg]

And it's normal to not fill it up, all my tractors are like that, on newer systems with expansion tank things are different.

 

[Roadworthy]

Older tractors (and cars) have no catch tank, just an overflow on the radiator. If filled to the brim the coolant will overflow when it gets hot due to expansion. I'll usually fill these to perhaps an inch from the overflow to allow room for expansion. If you want to look for water movement to verify the pump is working you must either warm the engine with radiator cap removed until thermostat opens or try it with no thermostat installed. When cold the thermostat may only allow a small amount of water to bypass to heat the water jacket of the engine. As the engine warms it will open to allow fresh coolant to flow from the radiator.

 

[brown91]

Thanks for the responses guys. Yes, I made sure to get a new radiator cap as well. I will test the water pump by checking coolant flow without the radiator cap on.

Since I posted earlier this morning, I just happened to think there may be something in an old users manual I had found online, and sure enough, it's just like you guys have stated.

The manual states the coolant level should only be approximately 1" above the core.

It was just so disheartening to put in all that work, time and money to feel like it was being blown right out the overflow tube!

Thanks again for the help y'all!