Is my MF 231 running too hot??

[Travis_R]

I have no pics of the gauge in white. But here is a pic of light tilling, with cardboard in front of the radiator. The tiller was running on and off for a short period of time. Look at how the needle is almost in the white.

This was on page 2 right below half of the page...

 

[sawtooth]

Most people would say go for the 180F but I'm not sure which is factory. The one thing I can say is that if your tractor was equipped with the 160 and you move to the 180 then your gauge will read a little on the high end. BUT it still should not move higher / hotter once it gets to where Tstat fully opens. So either should work fine. They say the 180F makes a engine run more efficiently so thats probably the one I would go for. On the flip side the 160 will not keep the tractor from overheating if you have a flow issue being from either the pump, Tstat or clogged radiator.

 

[Travis_R]

Since I already got the fuel tank off, I'm gonna change the thermostat. I'd be crazy not to. Plus it's a good time to change the fuel filter since air is already in the system with the tank being off.

I will be happy (peace of mind) that AT LEAST the Tstat will be changed because if the water pump ever needed changing or the radiator needed to come off, fuel tank would NOT have to be removed again.... I don't know for certain, but I would think this is the original thermostat since the tractor was new in '98. I bought it with 480 hours 7 years ago and now it has 1,153 hrs.

I'm not sure how long a thermostat is supposed to last.

I'm still trying to determine about getting a 180 or 160 Tstat because both local Napas has them. What would be best for down here in South LA??

Thanks!

 

[Travis_R]

Most people would say go for the 180F but I'm not sure which is factory. The one thing I can say is that if your tractor was equipped with the 160 and you move to the 180 then your gauge will read a little on the high end. BUT it still should not move higher / hotter once it gets to where Tstat fully opens. So either should work fine. They say the 180F makes a engine run more efficiently so thats probably the one I would go for. On the flip side the 160 will not keep the tractor from overheating if you have a flow issue being from either the pump, Tstat or clogged radiator.

Sorry, I didn't see your reply before I posted. But still trying to decide about such Tstat to go with.

I got a very good local mechanic that I'm fixin to stop by and talk to and see what he thinks.

 

[sawtooth]

Sorry, I didn't see your reply before I posted. But still trying to decide about such Tstat to go with. I got a very good local mechanic that I'm fixin to stop by and talk to and see what he thinks.

Good idea on the mechanic. As for the Tstat I'm not sure when Massey went from all metal to a half plastic and half metal. But in my opinion they are junk so if yours is a hybrid one then maybe it separated like mine did. When it broke apart it let some water through but not enough to keep it cool under a load. The new ones, at least from MF, are all metal again which tells me they had issues with the hybrid ones. My Massey was a 2004 model. Good luck with your project.

 

[Travis_R]

Ok here is the pics of the 2 thermostats. Easily to tell the new one from the old one... Both Napa stores had the 160 degree Tstats. Not the 180 like I mentioned before. So this is a 160 that I put back in it...

 

[sawtooth]

Looks like the old was all metal. Let us know if you see any improvement when you get her back together. Hopefully your issue will be resolved. For kicks take old one home and place in cold water on stove. Put burner on high to see at what temp it opens. Provided it works properly I would expect it to fully open by 200F

Sent from my iPhone using TractorByNet

 

[TomSeller]

You should put the old one in a pan of hot water and heat it on the stove checking when/if it opens with a thermometer. Inquiring minds want to know.

 

[Travis_R]

Ok for those of y'all wanting to know, I got an update with pics coming up in a little while so don't go to bed just yet! LOL.

 

[murphy1244]

Ok for those of y'all wanting to know, I got an update with pics coming up in a little while so don't go to bed just yet! LOL.

Can't wait!:drool: