New Holland 1925 (1999 Vintage - 1265 hours) Overheating

[45er]

Just put a repaired front end loader arm (leaking seal) back on tractor. Added hydraulic fluid to replace leak losses. New oil and oil filter. Level shows perfect on dip stick.

Shred for one hour this morning and high temp light comes on. Stop engine and wait an hour. Went to replace fluid in radiator and it only needed about 16 oz of water. Screens are clean and fan is running. Started tractor and ran for 10 minutes. Overheating light on again.

Anyone have any idea where to start? Do I have a bad water pump? Radiator clogged? Other ideas?

Thank you.

 

[sea2summit]

Engine oil or hydraulic fluid or both replaced with filters? Did the coolant level drop again? Check all the drain plugs/over pressure valves? Any exhaust smells?

If you have a temp gun I'd see what the radiator is at on the input and outflow side, will give a good idea if you're actually getting coolant flow. I think you're supposed to see about 20 degrees temp change across most radiators.

 

[45er]

Engine oil or hydraulic fluid or both replaced with filters? Did the coolant level drop again? Check all the drain plugs/over pressure valves? Any exhaust smells?

If you have a temp gun I'd see what the radiator is at on the input and outflow side, will give a good idea if you're actually getting coolant flow. I think you're supposed to see about 20 degrees temp change across most radiators.

Thank you. I changed the oil/filter but I only replaced hydraulic fluid that was lost when I took off the lift arm for seal repair. I will see how much radiator fluid was lost after the first overheating but I don't think it was very much. I don't see any other leaks. I don't have a temp gun.

 

[TractorGuy]

If it has a suck fan pull the screen and stick a leaf blower in on the fan side to see if the radiator fins are clogged with grass.

The screens don't always catch it all.

 

[TractorGuy]

If the radiator is clear the next step is a new thermostat.

 

[TractorGuy]

Pardon the multiple posts. The phone app doesn't let me edit to add.

Make sure the water pump belt tension is correct.

 

[45er]

Good advice here. As soon as the temp drops below 100 degrees outside, I'll check these things! Thanks for the replies.

 

[45er]

Experienced tractor men at church this morning told me that it was probably a bad thermostat and to just take it out and NOT replace it. Reason being that down here in Texas, it rarely gets cold enough to need to reduce flow from radiator to engine to accelerate heating up the engine to efficient operating temperature. On top of that, it's very rare I use my tractor during the winter months.

What say you folks about this practice?

 

[johnmccoy9]

Experienced tractor men at church this morning told me that it was probably a bad thermostat and to just take it out and NOT replace it. Reason being that down here in Texas, it rarely gets cold enough to need to reduce flow from radiator to engine to accelerate heating up the engine to efficient operating temperature. On top of that, it's very rare I use my tractor during the winter months.

What say you folks about this practice?

I'm having the same problem with my Ford 1700. I just replaced the thermostat, the radiator cap (it was in bad shape and was hissing) and it is still running hot. The belt is in terrible shape, so I have a new one on the way, but I am taking the thermostat out. I don't anticipate using it much in the winter, so I will cross that bride when I come to it.

 

[RjCorazza]

Experienced tractor men at church this morning told me that it was probably a bad thermostat and to just take it out and NOT replace it. Reason being that down here in Texas, it rarely gets cold enough to need to reduce flow from radiator to engine to accelerate heating up the engine to efficient operating temperature. On top of that, it's very rare I use my tractor during the winter months.

What say you folks about this practice?

To each his own, but that's more likely to mask the symptoms of another problem. You can confirm correct thermostat operation with a pot of water and a thermometer.