Oil & Fuel New member- stupid mistake- need advice

wedge40 · Mar 5, 2014

Just to make you feel better. I grew up in Mid-Michigan and my older brother was helping one of his buddies on their farm. (1000's of acres). Boss said take the tractor up to the house and put fuel in it. He pulled the radiator cap and topped off with diesel. His buddy stopped by and asked how thing were going. Brother said fine, but that tractor hardly took any fuel. Buddy scatching his head. Should be almost have empty. Then he ask my brother to show him where he put the fuel. He had put in the radiator. He felt bad but the tractor was in the field the next day.

Wedge

corl · Mar 5, 2014

I had a IH574 RC tractor for the past 15-20 years and just sold it this last summer. Was a great tractor. I got something a little smaller as I had stopped haying and started a produce garden.

Its not such a hard job to drain an flush the system. It might be a good idea to do so especially if it has been a few years since it was done. Glad it had a good level of coolant and you didn't have to add too much fuel to it. Good luck with the tractor.

Soundguy · Mar 5, 2014

yep. a full fluid change and flush on a new-to-u tractor is ALWAYS a good idea for a baseline

MapleLeafFarmer · Mar 7, 2014

breathe... almost 0% chance of doing any sig. permanent damage.

drain, flush and fill and all will be fine.

when you recycle the coolant though you will need to advise as the diesel mixed in may cause them some concern.