Hi everyone, I'm pretty new to tractor ownership and look forward to learning and contributing to these wonderful forums.
I recently purchased a Ford 3600 and think I may have been taken advantage of by a dishonest private seller, who claimed that the tractor was in perfect mechanical condition and that he routinely used it for farm work. I'm hoping this does not prove to be an expensive lesson for me.
I used the tractor to bushhog my fields for a few hours on the first day I had the tractor. Had a couple of problems that I was able to diagnose and fix. However, after about an hour of work, the radiator fluid started steaming badly, hot oil started leaking, and white/light gray smoke started coming from the exhaust. None of the indicators or gauges work on the tractor so I didn't realize there was an issue until everything was pretty hot.
I turned off the tractor, let it cool down overnight, and then set about to diagnose the issue. I realized that the radiator grill and oil grill had been clogged fairly badly by bits of airborne debris from all of the stuff I had been bush hogging. I figured this was likely the cause of my issue and was probably my fault. Just for good measure, I cleaned out the radiator grill and oil grill, and then for good measure performed a bunch of other routine maintenance tasks...changed the oil and filter, changed the hydraulic oil and filter, changed the fuel filter, topped off the radiator fluid, etc. The radiator fluid and oil were both really low...even though they were fine when I checked them before starting work.
Cranked her back up the next day and she seemed OK. Took her out to finish bushhogging but within 30 minutes she started overheating again. This time the overheating symptoms occurred rather quickly. Again I shut her down to protect the engine, but I did manage to snap a few seconds of video showing the radiator fluid steaming. Hot oil also started leaking from somewhere on the right side of the tractor. Unfortunately, since cooling her down, I've been entirely unable to get her cranked back up. The engine will try to turn over but won't start. I've tried several times over the past week with no luck.
Trying to figure out my best plan of attack for diagnosing and repairing the issue. What do you think it might be? Radiator hoses and cap seem old but in operable condition. Is it the radiator itself? The water pump? Thermostat? Or did I blow a head gasket?
Very much regretting this purchase right now but hopefully I can salvage my investment without sinking too much money in.
I've posted pictures and look forward to your responses. Unfortunately as a new member I cannot yet upload or post a link to my videos but maybe someone has a suggestion for a workaround.
Thank you!
Matt
I recently purchased a Ford 3600 and think I may have been taken advantage of by a dishonest private seller, who claimed that the tractor was in perfect mechanical condition and that he routinely used it for farm work. I'm hoping this does not prove to be an expensive lesson for me.
I used the tractor to bushhog my fields for a few hours on the first day I had the tractor. Had a couple of problems that I was able to diagnose and fix. However, after about an hour of work, the radiator fluid started steaming badly, hot oil started leaking, and white/light gray smoke started coming from the exhaust. None of the indicators or gauges work on the tractor so I didn't realize there was an issue until everything was pretty hot.
I turned off the tractor, let it cool down overnight, and then set about to diagnose the issue. I realized that the radiator grill and oil grill had been clogged fairly badly by bits of airborne debris from all of the stuff I had been bush hogging. I figured this was likely the cause of my issue and was probably my fault. Just for good measure, I cleaned out the radiator grill and oil grill, and then for good measure performed a bunch of other routine maintenance tasks...changed the oil and filter, changed the hydraulic oil and filter, changed the fuel filter, topped off the radiator fluid, etc. The radiator fluid and oil were both really low...even though they were fine when I checked them before starting work.
Cranked her back up the next day and she seemed OK. Took her out to finish bushhogging but within 30 minutes she started overheating again. This time the overheating symptoms occurred rather quickly. Again I shut her down to protect the engine, but I did manage to snap a few seconds of video showing the radiator fluid steaming. Hot oil also started leaking from somewhere on the right side of the tractor. Unfortunately, since cooling her down, I've been entirely unable to get her cranked back up. The engine will try to turn over but won't start. I've tried several times over the past week with no luck.
Trying to figure out my best plan of attack for diagnosing and repairing the issue. What do you think it might be? Radiator hoses and cap seem old but in operable condition. Is it the radiator itself? The water pump? Thermostat? Or did I blow a head gasket?
Very much regretting this purchase right now but hopefully I can salvage my investment without sinking too much money in.
I've posted pictures and look forward to your responses. Unfortunately as a new member I cannot yet upload or post a link to my videos but maybe someone has a suggestion for a workaround.
Thank you!
Matt
