Operating temp CK27

[whitet101]

I purchased a CK 27 HST over the winter. Even after a few hours of use moving snow, the temp gauge hardly budged. when I questioned the dealer about it he said in the summer it would move higher.
Well its summer now and the gauge still only moves a tiny bit.
I just wanted to get some opinions on proper operating temp and if "running cool" is a problem.

Thanks

 

[VictorW]

I have a CK30hst. As far as Winter, if you idle for at least 5 minutes after working the tractor for a while, the engine will cool down. This is normal for a diesel. But when I'm actively plowing at 2000rpm or more, the engine stays warm even at 10'F air temp. In the Summer temps, it's always warm when working the tractor and will stay warm at idle. By warm, I mean the temp gauge is in the middle. I never took an actual temp reading but hoped the gauge was correct. Yours may be at operational temp but either the gauge or sending unit is faulty or the thermostat is stuck open. Do you have a way of getting a close reading on the temp by using a non-contact temp gun or with care, open the radiator cap and put in a thermometer? I'll have to look in my service manual for the correct operating temp. Normally, running cool won't hurt the engine but there will be a little loss in power due to inefficient combustion.

 

[90cummins]

If the radiator warms as soon as you start the engine then the thermostat may be stuck open or there is a defect in the system.
The radiator should stay cold until the engine reaches operating temperature.
My 1720 Ford would not warm up so I contacted my dealer and they said there was a recall which required replacing the thermostat housing.
Any engine needs to warm up to operate properly especially diesels which run cooler than gasoline engines otherwise contaminates (moisture) will build up in the oil which will cause premature wear or failure.
90cummins

 

[whitet101]

I have a CK30hst. As far as Winter, if you idle for at least 5 minutes after working the tractor for a while, the engine will cool down. This is normal for a diesel. But when I'm actively plowing at 2000rpm or more, the engine stays warm even at 10'F air temp. In the Summer temps, it's always warm when working the tractor and will stay warm at idle. By warm, I mean the temp gauge is in the middle. I never took an actual temp reading but hoped the gauge was correct. Yours may be at operational temp but either the gauge or sending unit is faulty or the thermostat is stuck open. Do you have a way of getting a close reading on the temp by using a non-contact temp gun or with care, open the radiator cap and put in a thermometer? I'll have to look in my service manual for the correct operating temp. Normally, running cool won't hurt the engine but there will be a little loss in power due to inefficient combustion.

Thanks, Vic
I will check the operating temp in the manual and prob the radiator.

 

[whitet101]

If the radiator warms as soon as you start the engine then the thermostat may be stuck open or there is a defect in the system.
The radiator should stay cold until the engine reaches operating temperature.
My 1720 Ford would not warm up so I contacted my dealer and they said there was a recall which required replacing the thermostat housing.
Any engine needs to warm up to operate properly especially diesels which run cooler than gasoline engines otherwise contaminates (moisture) will build up in the oil which will cause premature wear or failure.
90cummins

Thanks for the reply, I was worried about moisture buildup. The radiator touch test is an easy first step. I do think it needs to be addressed.
Michael

 

[Coyote machine]

Where does the gauge read at it's highest?If you're going to open the radiator cap, I suggest doing it prior to starting the tractor. See if there is flow of coolant by the filler neck, and make sure your overflow jug is full to the fill line as a matter of coarse. Opening the cap when it's running can be a problem, depending on what's wrong, you can get scalded by hot coolant. For now don't trust the gauge reading until you have investigated the system's function.

 

[whitet101]

Where does the gauge read at it's highest?If you're going to open the radiator cap, I suggest doing it prior to starting the tractor. See if there is flow of coolant by the filler neck, and make sure your overflow jug is full to the fill line as a matter of coarse. Opening the cap when it's running can be a problem, depending on what's wrong, you can get scalded by hot coolant. For now don't trust the gauge reading until you have investigated the system's function.

Pic of gauge at full operating temp note the tach

 

[ritcheyvs]

On my DK, the temp climbs to the bottom of the "OK" range and stays there. The climb is slow unless under load, like mowing. It is not good for an engine to run cold so find out if you have a bad thermostat or a bad gauge. The Harbor Freight IR thermometers are cheap and handy for this but you can probably sort it out using methods described above.

 

[Coyote machine]

Pic of gauge at full operating temp note the tach View attachment 331353

NO WAY! Totally bogus, if that is at full operating temp. My DK reads between the two dots in the middle of the gauge, and has for over 535 hours since 2010.
What is the situation with the coolant temp inside the radiator filler neck? Stick a thermometer in there!

 

[murphy1244]

Pic of gauge at full operating temp note the tach View attachment 331353

The needle should be between those two dots with in 10 minutes of run time no matter what season it is. Your dealer is full of it.