Need HELP!!!!

[craneyusland]

I have a 1978 or 79 john Deere 950 tractor.
The other day I was bush hogging and my tractor over heated and run all the water out the radiator into the over fill tank. I didn't know it had done this. The tractor all of a sudden just cut out. I then noticed about the water or lack of. There was no water in the oil. I went the next day and filled the radiator with water. It started up after cranking for awhile. But was smoking. I took it to a local man and he replaced the head gasket. Said it was fixed. When running in the yard it does not do this, when putting a strain on it is when it starts pumping water into the over fill tank. It has a 7 lbs. Radiator cap.

With All that said can anyone help me trouble shoot this problem? Any other questions just ask.Thanks in advance!!!!

 

[KWentling]

Either a still leaking head gasket, or cracked head or block. Was the head and block checked for flatness? Were they crack checked? There are test strips that will confirm combustion gases present in the coolant.

Kim

 

[Tx Jim]

With engine cold remove radiator cap,crank engine and look inside radiator for bubbles. If you see bubbles head gasket is bad or cyl head is cracked/warped!!!!!!!!!

 

[GPintheMitten]

I assume you have already cleaned the duff from the front of the radiator. If not do that regardless of other issues.

 

[jimmysisson]

Have you checked the actual temp of, say, the t-stat housing as it gets overheated? Do you know the water pump is pumping? We're you working the tractor very hard when it started losing coolant? Checked tstat for sticky operation? We need some more info I think.
Jim

 

[craneyusland]

With engine cold remove radiator cap,crank engine and look inside radiator for bubbles. If you see bubbles head gasket is bad or cyl head is cracked/warped!!!!!!!!!

I started the tractor cold and no bubbles. I forgot to mention that I took the thermostat out. Would that have anything to do with it pumping water from radiator into over fill tank? Tractor still runs smooth and strong as ever. Thanks again for all the input.

 

[craneyusland]

I somewhat new to the tractor business. So I'll apologize first. When the tractor messed up I was working it hard. (Bush hogging) I removed the t-stat hoping it was bad. I didn't replace with a new one as of yet. The tractor gauges does not work. So I don't know about the temp of the motor when pumping water out. I let the tractor cool down and refill radiator with water from a jug (Not cold or hot). I can run the tractor for 30 minutes or so and then it starts pumping water out again. Any more info needed and I'll try my best to give it to you.

 

[jeff9366]

I assume you have already cleaned the duff from the front of the radiator. If not do that regardless of other issues.

DO THIS. I USE COMPRESSED AIR.

IT IS AN OLDER TRACTOR. THE RADIATOR MAY BE ONLY 20% OPEN.

 

[craneyusland]

Sorry for my ignorance. Can you explain more on how to do this? Is it the fins on the front of the radiator or the inside of it? Sorry again. Thanks!!

 

[jeff9366]

Blow out the radiator with compressed air applied from the engine side blowing through the radiator to the outside.

Before you get out the air compressor look at the radiator. It the radiator full of leaves/grass/dirt? If it is you need to blow it out.

 

[craneyusland]

Thanks. I'll try that soon. Would a t-stat not being in cause any of these issues?

 

[flyerdan]

Not having the thermostat in would sort of cause the opposite effect, it will take longer for it to warm up to operating temperature. It sounds very much like you're having a lack of heat transfer out the radiator, either through it being obstructed by leaves and debris as stated above, or gummed up inside so the coolant can't circulate.
First, blow the fins out from the engine side as stated, then with the engine running and the cap off, besides checking for bubbles from a head gasket leak or crack, check to see if the coolant is flowing within the radiator. You should see a pretty good current if all the passages are open, especially without a thermostat to block the flow.

 

[pat32rf]

If, for some weird reason, the water pump was not moving water he could be having this problem as well. (Collapsed or plugged rad hose)

 

[kenmac]

When you get it repaired. Install a temp gauge or light. You could have many problems... stopped up radiator/block, bad water pump/hoses, cracked head/block. or another bad head gasket if the new 1 was installed on a warped head.

 

[craneyusland]

Thanks everyone for your input. The radiator was clogged up with dirt grass and seeds of all kinds. I took it off cleaned it out and the problem seems to be fixed. Thanks again for all the input!!!

 

[GPintheMitten]

Thanks everyone for your input. The radiator was clogged up with dirt grass and seeds of all kinds. I took it off cleaned it out and the problem seems to be fixed. Thanks again for all the input!!!

Thats common when brush hogging. Glad you got it resolved.