MF 1250 Coolant Leak

carolinarider · Mar 17, 2019

Thanks. I was going to replace the thermostat and O ring because its easy to do and its 20 years old. According to the operating temperature, the unit never over heats (well it does get a little past normal when the screen in front of the radiator gets covered with grass clippings when I see the bush hog). I was heading to the dealer tomorrow and see what the stuff costs.

Will ask his advice on the commercial flush he recommends and let you know just for comparison.

carolinarider · Mar 17, 2019

This is off topic but, as my "handle" implies, I ride a motorcycle and love to travel the country, have been through Alabama several times (hard to put a number on it). Enjoy the northern part, went through Mussel Shoals by accident once and was sort of glad I did (now I always try and include it on my trips just because ), always like the group Alabama. Also tired to find Seven Bridges Road and think I did so I rode it twice.

Thanks for all the information.

Jim

def38 · Mar 18, 2019

I thought you might ride. I have had motorcycles since I was 19. My brother and his friends raced...I built and repaired them.

I started on a Triumph 650CC twin, 1959 vintage. I rode that bike from the Chicago suburbs to Tempe, AZ during my 4 years at Arizona State Univ. My current bike is a BMW twin, the ugly one with cylinders hanging off to the side. Bought it from Lyle Lovett when he owned his m/c shop in the Houston, area. Now, at 80, I ride mostly locally here in Alabama. I may take a ride up to No. Illinois to visit my brother one day. Grew up there and used to enjoy Chicago...now, I would avoid Chicago due to the crime. It is sad our major cities have been overrun by gangs and criminals.

I live in a rural area north of Birmingham, AL with about 7 acres of land. I am planting an orchard having recently cleared the land of the wild growth, brush and junk (bricks, pieces from an old still and Buick hubcaps). This spring, I'll till in the clover cover crop and seed it in Bermuda.

The area was once strip mined of coal when Birmingham was a steel manufacturing city . My land was used for grazing the mules used in the nearby coal washer.

carolinarider · Mar 18, 2019

Interesting! I have about 8 acres here in SC. Mostly wooded. Was a pine forest when I purchased the land, Cleared about two acres (one for house, garage, and drain field) and one for my observatory and "workshop".

I think my place was once a farm because parts are flat with a drop off to the next flat shop (I forget what you call it). I have just let the weeds grow and mow as needed. But it is work keeping the forest reasonable. Small creek on the back of the property just feed with run off.

I purchased a used 2001 BMW R1100RT (old police bike) in 2005 or so. Put about 20,000 miles on it before I sold it. We had a Honda Valkyrie at the time and my wife called the Valkyrie the Clydesdale and the BWM the Gazelle (I retrofitted the BMW with the rear seat). So, those cylinders that "stick out" are pretty cool. They stick out on the Valkyrie but not as much.

def38 · Mar 18, 2019

Used police BMW models used to be in high demand. I still prefer the single spark oilheads over the more powerful wet heads. Easier to work on and they will cruise all day at 80MPH two up without issue. My list of bikes included an 1100CC Aspencade my wife bought for me. That was a great two up bike.

As for telescopes, I formed a astronomy club at ASU as part of the science curriculum there. We made two reflector telescopes. Somehow I managed an "A" in the class. We used to take the telescopes out into the desert for nighttime viewing. For some reason, we had more coeds in the club than guys....Oh well. Sorry to see Yerkes ceasing operations. I visited there years ago.

carolinarider · Mar 18, 2019

Interesting, very. I built a couple of reflectors, now have a 10", 12.5" and a 24" DOB. Don't get used much these days my fault.

On a non-related topic. Do you know where I can find the engine number on my 1998 1250? I looked and did not see the kind of number I thought I would find.

def38 · Mar 18, 2019

My Perkins engine number is located on the RH side of the engine, above the starter motor, just forward of the lift pump. I don't know the location of the engine number on your machine.

carolinarider · Mar 18, 2019

Thanks. I suspect it might be in the same general location will look again tomorrow. I need it to order the "correct" fan belt.

def38 · Mar 18, 2019

Fan belts are usually marked with the necessary nomenclature which guides the autoparts counter guy to the correct length and width belt.

Speaking of belts, I need to replace the OE alternator belt on my BMW before I take any long trip. Oh, and the Maytag clothes dryer (circa 1980) belt is OE. I have spares for both. They are both straightforward replacements. Might as well install the new belt on my riding mower as well. Thanks for the reminder....:wave:

carolinarider · Mar 28, 2019

def38 said:
Fan belts are usually marked with the necessary nomenclature which guides the autoparts counter guy to the correct length and width belt.

Speaking of belts, I need to replace the OE alternator belt on my BMW before I take any long trip. Oh, and the Maytag clothes dryer (circa 1980) belt is OE. I have spares for both. They are both straightforward replacements. Might as well install the new belt on my riding mower as well. Thanks for the reminder....:wave:

I am almost finished with my repair (well got the water pump back on) but ran into a problem with the thermostat. Besides the fact that the O Ring will not stay in its grove (its a very narrow in diameter O Ring), the themorstat is not circular. It will fit in almost anyway but there must be a right way.

Here is a picture.