Over cooling in the cold

wade simpson · Dec 30, 2011

I have a ck20 and noticed the other day that the engine temp indicator was showing the engine was cold when the tractor was idling. It had been running for a few hrs. The ambient temp was around -5 C. I put some tar paper in front of the fan and it was fine.

Anyone else noticed this?

jgrieve · Dec 30, 2011

I think you need a new thermostat. mabee like a 195 degree although I dont know what a ck20 is is it water cooled?

MotorSeven · Dec 30, 2011

At -5C?....23 degrees is not really cold enough to cause that. My tractor warms up to temp in about 5 min even in the teens. If covering the rad gets it to the proper temp then I would continue to do that.

kiotiken · Dec 30, 2011

My CK 30 no longer even registers on the temp gauge, although yesterday was -20. By the time the temp hit 0, I was barely registering on the gauge. It's on the new list of issues to discuss with my dealer.

The Haymaker · Dec 30, 2011

On my smaller TZ25 I used to have a weatherfront. My T2220 doesn't seem to bother. Some diesels, at idle, do not burn enough fuel to create the heat. That's why you'll see many trucks at a high idle while at rest this time of year.

VictorW · Dec 30, 2011

My CK30hst acts similar when the temps get to less than 20'F but I believe it's because of what Haymaker mentioned. While plowing snow, working the tractor with the rpms up at 2,000 or more, the temp gauge is at the mormal range. Let it idle for 10-15 minutes and it's down on the cold side but comes right back up after a few minutes of more work. After six years of Winter plowing, that temp drop at idle never caused a problem.

Patches · Dec 30, 2011

Cold temp idle is 1200/1400 for me

Coyote machine · Dec 30, 2011

Could be a faulty sender unit causing the readings to be off at idle.
Until you know what it is I wouldn't cover the radiator. Better to have it running 'cold' on the gauge and possibly actually running correctly internally than trusting the gauge and artificially causing possible overheat condition.
My 2 cents.

wade simpson · Dec 31, 2011

VictorW said:
My CK30hst acts similar when the temps get to less than 20'F but I believe it's because of what Haymaker mentioned. While plowing snow, working the tractor with the rpms up at 2,000 or more, the temp gauge is at the mormal range. Let it idle for 10-15 minutes and it's down on the cold side but comes right back up after a few minutes of more work. After six years of Winter plowing, that temp drop at idle never caused a problem.

The over cooling only seems to happen at idle, once I start working the temp comes up again. When I said cold I should have said just below the normal operating range..although I haven't let it idle for very long (10 -1 5 min). I considered a new thermostat but if the paper works..it's a lot cheaper and easier to install.

Thanks for the info fellas

tcartwri · Dec 31, 2011

wade simpson said:
The over cooling only seems to happen at idle, once I start working the temp comes up again. When I said cold I should have said just below the normal operating range..although I haven't let it idle for very long (10 -1 5 min). I considered a new thermostat but if the paper works..it's a lot cheaper and easier to install.

Thanks for the info fellas

Normal.

Start it, let the oil circulate for a few minutes, and then work it. That's the only way you will build and maintain heat in the motor.

Gittyup · Dec 31, 2011

My CK25 also shows cold at idle (~1200 or lesst) during cold weather. At operating RPMs it shows in the normal range. Never gave it a thought. Seems to work as it should.

gengine · Jan 1, 2012

Drop in a new thermostat. A lot of times they fail, but they do also wear out. The more that spring moves with temp changes, the weaker it gets. Therefore , colder temps will make it open. I don't know about your tractor, but they are generally cheap.

Bousez · Jan 1, 2012

My CK20S 2008 , even at -30 shows temperature at idle , low but it shows !!!

Winmac · Jan 1, 2012

A new t-stat may help but usually not, most are poorly made and allow coolant to pass even when closed. Add this to the belt driven fan that's super cooling the rad and pulling cold air over the engine, and a diesel engine's inability to make heat in light load situations. Some manufactures have a cold weather or low leak thermostat available, they have a rubber ring on the valve seat blocking all flow when closed.

A short term solution would be to partially cover up the grill blocking air flow thru the rad.

90cummins · Jan 1, 2012

Gittyup said:
My CK25 also shows cold at idle (~1200 or lesst) during cold weather. At operating RPMs it shows in the normal range. Never gave it a thought. Seems to work as it should.

Diesels will do that!
When idling they produce very little heat and will cool down as do diesel trucks.
The newer electronic diesels (automobiles) will automatically raise the engine rpm to maintain engine coolant temperature.
I raise the idle to around 1500 rpm or so on my 1720 to keep it warm when I go inside to warm up.
If the engine comes up to temperature at a high idle or when you start to work it then there is likely nothing wrong.
A new thermostat (may help) as will partially blocking the radiator.
If the upper radiator hose is warm when the engine is cold then the thermostat might not be closing 100%

PoorMansCat · Jan 2, 2012

my 06 dodge does the same thing.... Even running down the highway @70 mph, if its a cold day, (under 40 degrees) it never reaches the 190-195 operating temp...
Diesels WILL cool down when at low idle/low load..

jpm1 · Jan 4, 2012

With my 2010 international Road tractor it does not warm up at an idle. At -30 degrees and running down the highway the temp gauge is normal. Pull up and idle the gauge drops down . . .way on down. The engine cools off and will not keep itself warm. i increase the idle just a bit, oil pressure is better, temp comes up every body happy. Sometimes its just the nature of the beast!

Kioti guy · Jan 5, 2012

I used my CK 20 to snowblow yesterday, it was -20C ,I let it warm up for 15 mins at med/fast idle (1500rpm) and the temp went to the middle of the guage and stayed there for the whole hour that i was using it. After I finished I had some thing s to do in the shop so I left the tractor outside on slow idle (900rpm) for about 20 minutes and the temp guage stayed right in the middle position.
So if yours is behaving differently there is likely a problem with either your temp guage or your cooling system. I would check the temp sensor connection first.
Craig