Kubota overheating.

kshunter · Oct 14, 2011

Hey guys, I own a kubota b3030 & need some help. It keeps overheating and im not to sure what to do. I know that the fan is working, and the oil is the correct amount, the radiator had a ton of hay in it, but I got it out by spraying water through it. Thanks

Elcid76 · Oct 14, 2011

I have to keep up with my L3240 or it will do the same thing. Whenever mowing I just watch the temp, and when it lights the extra bar I know it is time for a break to clean out the radiator screen. The radiator draws a lot of air, and if in dusty conditions it will get warm. If you pulled a bunch of stuff out of the radiator I would bet that you have resolved it. After experiencing the screen getting obstructed, I just have added hosing the radiator out to my routine list of post-job duties.

kshunter · Oct 14, 2011

Ya, but I mean I just cleaned it out and it still overheats within 5 mins

IslandTractor · Oct 14, 2011

You mentioned the radiator had a ton of hay in it that you removed. What about the prescreen? That should be removable. Sorry if this is too obvious but you didn't mention cleaning that.

kshunter · Oct 14, 2011

Yes, I cleaned that too

Elcid76 · Oct 14, 2011

If it has a thermostat you might try to check it. Make sure that the coolant level is correct and that the water pump works. Other than that I would be back to the manual.

kshunter · Oct 14, 2011

How do I check to see if the water pump is working? Thanks so much

BeezFun · Oct 14, 2011

kshunter said:
How do I check to see if the water pump is working? Thanks so much

Put your hand on the return (top) water line to the radiator, it should be way hotter than the water line coming out of the bottom of the radiator. Better yet get one of your teenagers to put their hand on it in case they get burned or mangled by the fan, kids heal faster. You can wait for engine/water to cool and take the radiator cap off, when you start the tractor you'll see the flow into the radiator if the pumps working. If you hold your hand on the radiator fins they should all start getting warm about the same rate as the engine warms up. If they're not getting warm, the thermostat is probably not working, or possibly the radiator is plugged.

taborekle · Oct 14, 2011

If the tractor is cold (hasn't been started for awhile), you should be able to remove the radiator cap, then start the tractor and look into the radiator through the cap opening and observe the radiator fluid flowing. If it is, then you can be sure that the pump is working.

Only check it this way on a cold tractor.

nspec · Oct 14, 2011

Maybe a dumb question, but when you sprayed water through it, did you spray from the front or from the back of the radiator? Air is really better as the water can turn stuff to muck and actually gum it up more.

kshunter · Oct 15, 2011

Yes from the front, but I added radiator fluid and its runnin as usual now!

IslandTractor · Oct 15, 2011

kshunter said:
Yes from the front, but I added radiator fluid and its runnin as usual now!

Sounds like you lost fluid with the first overheat (debris in radiator related) and then had subsequent overheating due to lack of adequate coolant. That is the best outcome.

Doesn't the Kubota have a reservoir for coolant next to the engine? I don't check mine daily but it does provide a safety reserve.

nspec · Oct 15, 2011

Next time, whether using water or air, always from the back. You have to work around the fan, but you always work the debris out from the way it came in. Blowing or hosing from the front can lodge debris in the radiator fins even worse.

Tx Jim · Oct 16, 2011

taborekle said:
If the tractor is cold (hasn't been started for awhile), you should be able to remove the radiator cap, then start the tractor and look into the radiator through the cap opening and observe the radiator fluid flowing. If it is, then you can be sure that the pump is working.

Only check it this way on a cold tractor.

The coolant will not flow in radiator until the coolant warms sufficiently to open thermostat.

Egon · Oct 16, 2011

Better yet get one of your teenagers to put their hand on it in case they get burned or mangled by the fan, kids heal faster. /QUOTE]

Is this for real?

IslandTractor · Oct 16, 2011

Egon said:
Better yet get one of your teenagers to put their hand on it in case they get burned or mangled by the fan, kids heal faster. /QUOTE]

Is this for real?

Click to expand...

Real sarcasm.

Rayobout · Jul 14, 2017

I have a B3000. By reading through it and personnel experience I assume you steamed it. Ok on the cleaning of radiator etc. but the B series engines are the hardest to get trapped air out of the cylinder heads. My advice would be to park the tractor with the front wheels on car ramps. Fill the radiator and check it often during the day, it should start off taking water first 2 refills, after that I suggest leaving overnight and filling with water before backing off car ramps next day. See if that helps. What happens is the #4 cylinder has very little water around it so it steams off quick expanding and pushing water out the overflow bottle. If this does not fix your problem try a new larger radiator. Probably don't have much to loose trying it. If it helps you to consider what I say I am a Chief Engineer so engines are my life and career.

IslandTractor · Jul 15, 2017

Welcome to TBN Rayobout. This is a very old thread but I hope you join more active discussions. Nice to have experienced engineers participate here on TBN.