Tractor overheating

413decker · Jul 2, 2016

I'm having some issues with my Branson 3510 tractor. Last week my wife was brush hogging and called me to the field where she said the tractor overheated.

Upon inspection I noticed that the screen in front of the radiator was clogged with dust and debris. I let the tractor cool and then cleaned the screen and filled the radiator with water and drove it up to the barn. I then washed the radiator with water and then using the air compressor blew out the fins of the radiator. I then noticed that the overflow reservoir had broken the nipple off where the overflow tube was connected. I repaired it but the tractor still seems to overheat.

What I have noticed is when started for a few minutes the overflow tank will start pushing water out. Almost as if the radiator is not returning water to the engine.

Puzzled, I replaced the thermostat and it still seems to push water out of the overflow hose after the tractor is running for a short amount of time.

I unhooked the lower radiator hose and then poured water in the radiator to see if it would flow out the bottom. It did.

Seems to me that the coolant system seems to be clogged. And I'm thinking it may be in the water pump. Can anyone shed some light on this?

Kevin

Omega Woods · Jul 3, 2016

Why do you think the cooling system is clogged? That doesn't sound likely to me. How old is your tractor and how many hours? Do you keep up with recommended maintenance?

It's possible that when the tractor overheated, the head gasket blew. That would account for the symptoms you are seeing, since gases in the cylinders will push coolant out of the overflow tank.

I am not a tractor mechanic but I've replaced a lot of head gaskets on trucks and cars. Your tractor's symptoms sound like that to me.

Bladehauler · Jul 3, 2016

x2 ( sounds like it ran overheated for awhile and blew the headgasket )

w35773 said:
Why do you think the cooling system is clogged? That doesn't sound likely to me. How old is your tractor and how many hours? Do you keep up with recommended maintenance?

It's possible that when the tractor overheated, the head gasket blew. That would account for the symptoms you are seeing, since gases in the cylinders will push coolant out of the overflow tank.

I am not a tractor mechanic but I've replaced a lot of head gaskets on trucks and cars. Your tractor's symptoms sound like that to me.

413decker · Jul 3, 2016

The tractor is a 2006. It came with the property that I purchased last September. I've been doing maintenance required since I've owned it. It just came back from the shop where they added hydraulics to it so I could run the back hoe.

Is there something that I can do to verify that it's the head gasket? Would it be pushing water/coolant out that leak or will it only be sucking in air?

I'm at a loss as to what it could be so the blown head gasket makes sense. But I sure would like to have some additional confirmation before I tear it down.

Omega Woods · Jul 3, 2016

Ah, OK. Yes, don't tear it down on my long-distance diagnosis. You might want to post this out of the brand-specific forum and get some more opinions.

To answer your question regarding pushing water/coolant out of the overflow, it certainly will with a blown HG.

Google "head gasket leak symptoms" for more info.

buickanddeere · Jul 3, 2016

Drove it till it groaned to a halt and ruined it. An eye on the temperature gauge would have prevented that.

Redneck in training · Jul 3, 2016

Open the radiator cap. Fill it to top. Start the engine. If you see bubbles coming out it is very likely head gasket. Also check for coolant in the engine oil.