Overheating?

[tractorpig]

Ok, I realize this is the desert and it is 110 degrees today however I don't believe this FX20D should be overheating! I've kept the rpms around 1800 to 2400 per the manual so air continues to flow over the radiator, but it stills begins to overheat after 20 mins or so....I have flashed the system and added new fluid with about a 50/50 ratio....suggestions please... /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[arthr31]

hi there, hot huh?
50/50 in your environment might be too hot. Not knowing what your specific model calls for, I'm not sure... However, others here have claimed a mix of 70/30 (h20 to coolant) will work better in hot weather... which you have. myself, 50/50 works just fine.. but any given morning, even in summer i can be in the sixties...

have you check the other things-- e.g. restricted air flow to the radiator, dust around cooling parts, etc. ? Don't push it if its overheating, i just recently learned that on one of my tractors....

 

[blackd]

50/50 should be alright on an FX, as they have water pumps. Have you blown out the radiator. They can collect dust and seeds if they are used to bushhog. Also, have you replaced the thermostat? Could be only partially opened. If none of these, you may need to have the radiator rodded/cleaned.

 

[Cord]

After all the chasing around with my tractor, it turned out the sensor was reading the temp 20 degrees too cold. Before you do anything (unless the engine is actually boiling over) double check your readings.

 

[tractorpig]

I have checked the flow and in a nut shell this tractor is showing 10.5 hrs and it appears as though it has been recently reconditioned as eveything looks new....not a bit of dust anywhere......after I run water on the outside of the radiator it cools right down...

 

[normde2001]

We all know your tractor has more than 10.5 hours on it. It also probably has a thermostat. If so, did you remove and test it when you flushed the system?

 

[bruce1966us]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( ..after I run water on the outside of the radiator it cools right down... )</font>

The radiator needs to be flushed and probably rodded.

 

[bassfishrman]

Does your radiator have a filter screen mounted on the front of it? If not your radiator fins are probably clogged with trash. I had the same problem with my YM240. It ran hot after 30 minutes. I used my air compressor to gently blow the trash out of the fins. Not much trash came out, but apparently it was enough to make it run hot. Haven't had any overheating problems since. I am in the process of making a filter screen since my tractor came without one. Good luck!

 

[tractorpig]

There is no question that it has more than 10.5 hrs on it, I believe it was manufactured in the mid 80"s! What can you tell me about testing the thermostat or type of replacement to use. From what I can see, the radiator appears clean and free of rust/deposits, inside and out. However maybe I should have it radded out anyway! Whatcha think?

Scott

 

[normde2001]

"What can you tell me about testing the thermostat or type of replacement to use."

You first need to determine if it has one. It would be where the upper hose attaches to the block, (parts manual, no water flow through upper hose back to radiator when cold). If so, just remove, reassemble, and test for overheating, or put it in a pan of water, heat to 180+ and see if it opens. Replace with a Yanmar part.