The sweet smell of my bx23 exhaust

[EricBX2200]

I have been having overheating problems and have done a lot to try to make it stop, I have flushed the radiator, change the thermostat and water pump. Now I notice the exhaust smells like anti freeze but no smoke other than at start up. I loose coolant rapidly but don't see any coolant lost on the ground but often hear the over flow tank bubbling. No coolant ever found mixed in the oil.

I am thinking it is the head gasket. What do you guys think?

I have searched through some of the other threads but want to check in. If it is not the head gasket, what other areas do I focus on?

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

P.s. I maintain all of my vehicles and equipment with mostly success. I plan on doing this myself.

 

[B7800mike]

sounds like a head gasket or crack somewhere. you can try an block tester from a auto parts store. follow the directions, but if the fluid changes color then it is a head, block, or head gasket. Sometimes maintenance has nothing to do with it Good luck and keep us posted

 

[EricBX2200]

Good tip on the block tester! I did not know such a thing existed. I will search for one tomorrow.

Thanks!

 

[B7800mike]

In some cases the block tester does not work so well. You coud also get a pressure tester and pressurize the system and see where if goes. But the symptoms you have lead me to a bad head gasket. sorry!

 

[Berniep]

Well the good news is it's probably easier to do a head gasket on one of these than your average 4cyl auto. One less cylinder and a whole lot less stuff in the way.

 

[PINGG2BLUE]

Eric,

Another option is to add leak detector tracer dye to your coolant. Run the tractor a while then check for trace with a black light. Symtoms still sound like headgasket as B7800Mike has stated.

Bob

 

[Taiser]

I concur, a cracked block or head is RARE, more than likely a blown head gasket. Bit of a pain but still fairly straight forward (if not long) fix on these machines. Not much in the way of this job, unlike a small import car for instance. Good luck!

 

[Volfandt]

Concer w/the others, all the symptoms point to either a blown headgasket (most likely) or cracked head or block. They are about the only places where coolant can get into the combustion chamber. (evident by the smell in the exhaust and bubbling of the coolant in the overflow bottle).
It's generally an extreme in engine temp that causes this type of problem (running too hot or sitting too cold) and the headgasket is the weakest link in the effected areas.
Unfortunately you'll have to pull the head to find out which.
Good luck

 

[B7800mike]

The only other suggestion is once the head is off the tractor you could ask the local machine shop if they could check the head for cracks. When i send them out for a car it cost about 100 to 300 if they need work. good luck

 

[EricBX2200]

The only other suggestion is once the head is off the tractor you could ask the local machine shop if they could check the head for cracks. When i send them out for a car it cost about 100 to 300 if they need work. good luck

I didn't know that repairing a cracked head would be an option. I just figured I'd have to buy a new one, if that is what I find. But I agree with everyone that a cracked block or head is not probable but possible.

I ordered an upper gasket set yesterday which should include everything I need.

Now just to find a free weekend to tear it down. I hope that's all it is and I can get it back together in a day. I'll report back when I get it done.

Thanks for all the help.