Running hot in San Antone

   / Running hot in San Antone #1  

SteveElk

New member
Joined
Apr 30, 2025
Messages
6
Tractor
Massey Ferguson 1529
Please help! I have a Massey Ferguson 1529 that started losing power and over heating. So far, I ve bled the fuel fines, serviced the hydrolics,serviced the engine, all works great but just over heats. Next I changed out water pump, rodded out the radiator, checked the belt, and changed out thermostat. It still runs Hot. I heard about burping the radiator and I’ve heard about an air pressure bleed by the thermostat but I don’t think mine has that. I have not a clue what to do next , any suggestions ? Thank you!
 
   / Running hot in San Antone
  • Thread Starter
#2  
Also I have noticed that the top radiator hose gets hot and hard while the bottom hose is not so much
 
   / Running hot in San Antone #3  
thermostat installed in correct orientation?
any milkiness/discoloration or incorrect level in engine oil?
 
   / Running hot in San Antone #4  
Welcome to TBN, lots of good people here that can help you out.

How long have you owned your tractor?

Did this happen gradually over time or when did the overheating start?
 
   / Running hot in San Antone #5  
Check your Air filter. Once had some blockage and it caused my JD to run hot after mowing.

maybe a blockage in the radiator?
 
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Reactions: JJT
   / Running hot in San Antone #6  
Assuming that you checked the thermostat, have it in correctly blew out the crud from the radiator exterior, made sure the water pump belt is tight, made sure there is no blown head gasket, etc. Don't forget a bad radiator cap (or a leaky gasket on one) can cause overheating.

If none of the above, I suggest you price a radiator on Amazon. I had essentially the same issues you describe on a Kubota and gave up when a mechanic friend kept saying "it's the radiator." Some radiators are ridiculous in price but I found one at reasonable price for the Kubota, installed it easily and sure enough the heating issue was cured. These small tractor radiators are very hard if not impossible to get completely cleaned out (flushing, etc.) and radiator shops that do work on them are a thing of the past, sadly.
By the way most repair shops have guages and tools to see if your cooling system is maintaining pressure AND if there are combustion products/bubbles coming in to the cooling system from blown head gaskets.
 
   / Running hot in San Antone
  • Thread Starter
#7  
thermostat installed in correct orientation?
any milkiness/discoloration or incorrect level in engine oil?
I have had the tractor for about 6-7 years. I bought it from a friend mine and borrowed it from time to time so I had experience with it. The problem seemed to have happen like over night. I used it to help dig a hole and all of the sud
 
   / Running hot in San Antone
  • Thread Starter
#8  
I have had the tractor for about 6-7 years. I bought it from a friend mine and borrowed it from time to time so I had experience with it. The problem seemed to have happen like over night. I used it to help dig a hole and all of the sudden I felt it lose power and further checking it was getting hot. I checked coolant and it was a little low but not bad. I topped it off, checked motor oil and found no real problem. Then it started having a hard time starting and smoking. First with some white smoke then some black and may some more white before it stopped smoking. Then step by step I started weeding options. The only thing I haven’t changed yet is the glow plugs..
 
   / Running hot in San Antone #9  
SteveElk said:
I have had the tractor for about 6-7 years. I bought it from a friend mine and borrowed it from time to time so I had experience with it. The problem seemed to have happen like over night. I used it to help dig a hole and all of the sudden I felt it lose power and further checking it was getting hot. I checked coolant and it was a little low but not bad. I topped it off, checked motor oil and found no real problem. Then it started having a hard time starting and smoking. First with some white smoke then some black and may some more white before it stopped smoking. Then step by step I started weeding options. The only thing I haven’t changed yet is the glow plugs..
head issue.
glow plugs not issue.
 
   / Running hot in San Antone
  • Thread Starter
#10  
thermostat installed in correct orientation?
any milkiness/discoloration or incorrect level in engine oil?
No the oil and consistantcy is ok. The new thermostat is in correctly. There are no leaks anywhere to be found. The radiator was professionally cleaned and riddled out. He did say it appeared to be about 25% blocked but cleaned up well. The silly thing just gets hot.
 

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