Overheating ? (FE35)

[scottnumurkah]

Hi guys,

Im an idiot.

I was slashing my paddock. Just as i finished the 2 and a half hour job, i noticed smoke coming from the engine (4 cyl petrol). I quickly drove the tractor back in the shed, and noticed that there was some oil coming from one of engine seals (gasket), which probably explains the smoke. She was bloudy hot. I took the front grill off and as i was mowing down old dead oats, oats completely covered my grill in front of the radiator. I am guessing that she overheated as no air was getting through to the fan to cool the engine.

I started it up after it cooled down (and after cleaning the grill completely) and it appears to be running fine after letting it run for around 10 mins, no more sign of oil leaking.

What should i do guys.

Any help would be appreciated.

Cheers
Scott

 

[banjodunn]

G'day Scott thank your lucky stars and keep a close eye on the coolant and the oil and keep going, they are a tough old engine with no alloy head to warp from overheating so you might just have been lucky. And BTW it might be time to invest in a temp gauge for the old girl.


Jon

 

[BobG_in_VA]

Since you probably came close to cooking your engine oil, suggest you change it and the filter...you'll probably be ok...BobG in VA

 

[scottnumurkah]

All appears to be well.
There was bugger all water in the radiator as expected. I filled
her right up, put some fly wire screen over the front grill and
slashed a paddock for half an hour. No more sign of leakage or
smoke. The fly wire screen did wonders for keeping anything
from getting into the radiator.

Fingers crossed shes ok.

Thanks for your help.

 

[scottnumurkah]

Couple of quick questions.

I have an oil pressure guage on the 35, but it has stopped working. Was fine a couple of months ago. Any ideas why it it would stop working or anything i can check?.

Another quick question. It looks like my 35 has only ever had water in it and not coolant. Would it be wise to flush out the radiator and put in normal car coolant?. Excuse my lack of knowledge with these old tractors.

Cheers
Scott

 

[JD 4520]

Definitely change the oil and filter. When an engine over heats like that it really breaks down the oil. This is important to do.

Hope all goes a well.

 

[scottnumurkah]

Ok i will change the oil and filter.

I am assuming that the sump nut is located directly below the motor, large nut right underneath?. Just drain that out completely and fill her back up with 15w40 grade oil?.

Cheers
Scott

 

[JD 4520]

Ok i will change the oil and filter.

I am assuming that the sump nut is located directly below the motor, large nut right underneath?. Just drain that out completely and fill her back up with 15w40 grade oil?.

Cheers
Scott

Yes, sounds like you have the correct drain plug identity. Not sure what climate that you are in but if it is north and colder you manual likely suggests 10w30 for winter. Change the filter also as you need to get rid of all the old oil.

 

[scottnumurkah]

Thanks for your help.

Is the oil filter on the right side (sitting on tractor). towards the front. There is a large canister. I take it i need to undo that and it should expose the filter?.

This is a 57 4 cyl fe35 gas engine

Also should i drain the water from the radiator and put in normal car coolant?.

It only has water in it at the moment.

I am in Australia btw, warm climate

 

[JD 4520]

The filter should say Oil on it somewhere so you need to check. I am not familiar with your machine to tell you for sure. There is a hydraulic filter so don't get them mixed up.

As for the anti freeze, you need auto coolant in the radiator. Obviously you won't be dealing with freezing weather rather the coolant is needed to protect the inners I'd the engine to protect from rust as well as protect from overheating.

Make sure you know why it over heated and that the problem is corrected. Watch it closely next time it's ran to make sure the problem is resolved.

My daughter had an Auzzie stay with us for 3 weeks last year as an exchange student. We all had a great time.

Wish you well.

 

[Mike476]

On my 68' 135 the oil filter plug is in the lower pan, remove it and drain all the oil. The filter is under the metal cannister as you described, remove and replace it. Depending on where you are in Australia as to how cold it gets but antifreeze is a good idea if for no other reason than the corrosion preventative characteristics. Be sure to check your radiator cap and remove the cast on the block where the rad hose attaches to see if there is a thermostat installed, if so replace it with a new one. I realize your rad was blocked but it's worth making sure both the rad cap and thermostat are both still functioning properly after overheating.

 

[scottnumurkah]

Thanks for your help.

I will replace the oil and filter.

I will also drain out the radiator and put in proper coolant (antifreeze).

What is the correct method for draining out the radiator by the way?.

Cheers
Scott

 

[JD 4520]

There are different procedures so depends on how technical you think you need to be...that said, I would recommend that you drain the radiator and don't worry about the contents in the engine. The drain plug is on the bottom edge of the radiator, remove the cap also while draining. Replace with a 50/50 mixture of coolant to water. When filled, run your tractor to full warm temperature so that you get full circulation throughout the system.

Some people may recommend draining the engine and flushing it but I don't see the purpose for your situation.

 

[scottnumurkah]

Sounds good.

So i need to actually mix the coolant 50/50 with water. I cant just use coolant?.

 

[Mike476]

If you are only going to drain the rad I wouldn't bother mixing it, be sure to let it run a while though to get good circulation.

 

[scottnumurkah]

Ok sounds good.

Any idea how much oil the 35's take?. I guess best indication would be to put a bucket underneath when i drain it? and put that same amount back in (motor cold of course).

 

[banjodunn]

G'day Scott pull your bottom rad hose off the rad you may have a tap but don't try to use it as they are usually siezed. You will prob drain about 5-6 lts out of it top it up with straight coolant and you should be good to go for a couple of years. As for your oil pressure gauge if youhad no oil pressure you would know by now so i think your gauge has died, Bare co do one for about $50 IIRC while your getting a new oil pressure gauge how about putting a temp gauge on it too.


Jon

 

[scottnumurkah]

Great advice thanks Jon.

What is involved in putting a temp guage on the 35?.

I think thats a great idea, and fairly crucial i would think.

Cheers
Scott

 

[scottnumurkah]

Hi Jon,

another quick question.

The fella at the local tractor shop said it might be worth my while to flush out the radiator once i have pulled the bottom hose off and let the current water drain out.

He said mix up some washing detergent in a bucket and pour it into the top cap, then stick the garden hose in there and flush it out a number of times with water to give it a good clean. Nothing enters the motor in this method.

Another method i read was to drain it out as above, but then put the bottom hose on back on, and fill it back up with the washing detergent, and let the engine warm up so it flushes the entire cooling system out, then drain that out completely and top up with coolant.

Which way should i go

Cheers
Scott

 

[Loudo]

Gudday Scott, As a retired massey mechanic I would definately flush the radiator, change the oil and filter, and refill the cooling system with anti freeze, anti boil, 50/50 is about right. I would also fit a temp gauge and replace the oil pressure gauge as well. Cheers Kerry. BTW I am also in Oz. near Bundy.