Ford 1900 radiator overflow

[ccsial]

I have a Ford 1900, bought new in 1982. The last two times I used it I have some coolant dripping from the radiator overflow. Left about a 6 inch diameter puddle on the drive. I replaced the radiator cap with one matched up from Autozone after the first indecent and it did it again. The temp gauge was about 1/3 up and about where it always is. There is coolant in the radiator about 1/2" above the tubes when cold. I was not doing any heavy work with it, Just moving around some trailers.

I am wondering if a thermostat could cause this. Any other ideas? It has 1290 hours and runs good.

 

[Roadworthy]

It sounds as though you may have overfilled your radiator. Coolant expands when heated, that's why you have an overflow - so nothing bursts. Newer tractors (and cars) have an overflow receptacle to catch it and return it to the radiator when the engine again cools. Watch your temperature gauge and run the tractor normally. If it's just overfilled it will soon quit marking its spot.

 

[JC-jetro]

Ditto with what Roadworthy said. Nothing to worry about but do keep an eye on the gauge as a matter of routine always. What I have done was using a clean Peanut butter jar for the last 10 years to collect over flow when engine gets hot. Fluid is sucked right back in as the engine cools off in storage. I secured the jar with some bailing wire ( my go to 1st aid). I taught I have to replace the jar every once in a while but still have the same jar for 10 years and there is plenty where that comes from, costs zero.You might have to get a longer overflow tube based on where you keep the jar mounted to the tractor.

JC,

 

[ccsial]

It is not too full. I flushed and replaced the coolant over two years ago and I have never before noticed leaking until recently. I have not added coolant for over two years. That is what has me worried. It seems something has changed.

After doing a bit of googling it seems a head gasket could be the culprit. I started it this morning with the radiator cap off and looked at the coolant and didn’t see any bubbles.

I’m not sure what to think at this point. I don’t know if it is a good idea to keep using it. I’d like to be sure if it is the head gasket before I tear into it. Is it safe to ignore and keep using it? I welcome all opinions.

 

[JC-jetro]

If it is a head gasket then you should see some sign in the oil, with milky residue. If the leak in the gasket is where piston suction can suck a bit of antifreeze in the combustion chamber then for you you will have white smoke coming out of the tail pipe. Additionally, I had a situation you described with my old Buick in college. I poked her and there and realized that the spring inside of my lower radiator hose collapsed and all sedimentation were collected there and made for poor flow. I could not believe when I took the mangled up spring and a concrete looking piece out of the lower hose. Squeeze the hoses to make sure you don't have any blockage. Might need to flush the antifreeze and flush the block. if you do the flush thing then for sure I would inspect the T-stat with it. Keep an Infra red non-contact to read engine temp before and after the T-sat, that might present some clues.

 

[ccsial]

I do not see any sign of water in the oil. I run Delvac One and it is very black. No white smoke either. The radiator hoses seem fine and not blocked. I do know that for the last 15 years or so it does not cool as well as it used to. It is really noticeable when bush hogging. I have to stop every 10 or 15 minutes and clean out the screen. I bush hog with the L3400 since 2005 and I never have to stop. Maybe after 38 years the radiator is just pretty plugged.

I have decided I am going to run the tractor and keep a close eye on things. The tasks that I use it for now do not run hot with the exception of roto tilling which is only about 30 minutes spring and fall and does not plug the screen. The temp goes up to the middle of the gauge when tilling. Usually it is only 1/3 of the way up and has always run at that level.

I was hoping the 1900 would out last me. It really earns its keep. I am twice as old as it is.

 

[oosik]

I had a brand new Ford 1700 in 1982. As I remember - it didn't have a coolant recovery system. When I worked the little Ford hard, it would spit out a small amount of coolant. The coolant was always above the fins in the radiator. It bothered me the first couple times also. Then you just learn to live with it OR install an after market recovery tank, etc. It was not a big deal when you looked at the whole picture.

 

[JC-jetro]

ccsial,

One thing you want to make sure is doing is to actually check the fins of the radiator. Screen catches a alot but nit fine particles of dirt. It will plug the fins for sure. I had the same situation and I was running 1/4 turn passes the hot and real quickly. I ended up taking the screen off and use a leaf blower on either side. I then took a fast spray nozzle and garden hose and washed the radiator from both side,lots of mud came out. Don't use a pressure washer as it it too much for old radiator and fin. Ever since my temp hardly goes passed the middle unless I push the tractor real hard. I bet ya you'll see a difference.

JC

 

[ccsial]

I'm sure I need to clean the radiator. I'll do that if it ever stops raining here.

 

[JC-jetro]

I'm sure I need to clean the radiator. I'll do that if it ever stops raining here.

Same here, raining in Kansas too,was able to put two hrs this am and tomorrow is more rain, time for Chief's Football