Nortrac 254 Trying To Run Hot??

[nt254]

I have a nortrac 254. Today I used it for about 45 minutes. (outside temp was around 85-90F.) I noticed that the temp guage was reading 180F. When I opened the hood and let it run at fast idle, the temp quickly came down to around 165F. I have a 160F thermostat in it. Is it normal for this machine to run 20 degrees hotter than the thermostat?? If so, should the guage show when the t-stat opens? (Mine does not. It just goes up until I stop and let it idle and then it goes down)
Thanks for any information.
Nt254

 

[Soundguy]

Check for debrin in the radiator fins.

soundguy

 

[greg_g]

The most common area that gets clogged is behind the battery

//greg//

 

[Ronbo]

Check your radiator cap, if it is weak, mine was, it will overheat.

Ron

 

[DwayneB]

I have a 160F thermostat in it. Is it normal for this machine to run 20 degrees hotter than the thermostat??

My tractor has an 80C thermo. About 180 degrees F.

Very possible in that kind of heat. I don't think 180 to 190 is excessive when you are working it hard. As long as you keep the radiator clean and your not boiling off coolant your probably ok.

Mine runs about 180 or so when working it hard. For hours at a time brush hogging with a 6 foot cutter at full RPM.

When it gets to running too hot I stop and blow out the radiator and give it a little break. Then back to work.

Just my opinion , milage may vary.

 

[Soundguy]

Yikes... that's a bit scarry.. running at rated load and needing a break. Understandable if you are neeidng to clean the radiator.. but just to stop to let it cool down.. ... well.. that's unacceptable. The cooling system ideally should be designed to handle that tractor at full rated load, continous use.

soundguy

 

[Diamondpilot]

I had to change the cap on my 254. Get a 7LB cap at any auto parts store. I also put in a 80 C t-stat at the time. Like Greg said some of the old 254's had a high mount battery that covered aprox. the lower 1/4 of the radiator. Mine is not that way, the battery is mounted lower and I have never had a problem. I am guessing your problem if you do the simple stuff like blow out the radiator from the back side, put on a new cap, put in a new t-stat, and checking the tension of the belt.

Chris

 

[DwayneB]

Yikes... that's a bit scarry.. running at rated load and needing a break. Understandable if you are neeidng to clean the radiator.. but just to stop to let it cool down.. ... well.. that's unacceptable. The cooling system ideally should be designed to handle that tractor at full rated load, continous use.

soundguy

Well, the 6 foot king kutter is a bit much for my little tractor chopping saplings. I recently got a 5 foot bush hog for free. I think the 6 foot one is going to sit till i get more HP. It can handle it fine in grass but when i go to chopping brush it's way to much for it. It handles the square baler much easier than the brush cutter. It will run it all day in hot weather but I have to stop every couple hrs and clean the radiator or it will run a little warm.

 

[DwayneB]

I had to change the cap on my 254. Get a 7LB cap at any auto parts store.

What part number for the cap? Or did you just try to match it up? My gasket isn't looking too good.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Just take it in and match it up. I know its a Stant cap and t-stat, they are the best and well worth the extra dollar or two.

Chris