Troubleshooting Kutje A2300N2-ATC : hard to start and overheating

[FMFProperties]

Had the tractor not overheated and started having trouble then it would not be unreasonable for it to handle that type of mowing with the 10 ft. But you would have to keep an eye on it for sure. Also it wouldn’t be to terrible hard to add the turbo to that engine and pick up 7 or so more HP. But at this point we hope it is just the gasket but likely will be more than that as Harry explained. But fingers crossed.

I really don't need this big tractor and wouldn't want to add a turbo. If I needed more horsepower I'd sell this and buy a new bigger one. I'd rather sell the mower and but a smaller one.

 

[asjadkhan]

It sounds like you’ve already learned a lot about how overheating can snowball into other issues, and you’re doing the right thing by gathering all the symptoms before diving in.

From what you’ve described, I’d break it into two separate—but possibly related—issues:

1. Overheating – The fact that it’s better in a lower gear suggests the cooling system can keep up when the load is lighter. That points toward borderline cooling capacity rather than a completely failed component. Still, repeated overheating could have already weakened the head gasket or warped the head, which brings us to…
2. Hard starting + bubbling coolant – Bubbling at the radiator cap while running is a classic sign of combustion gases getting into the cooling system. A head gasket leak (or cracked head) would explain both the bubbles and some of the hard-start symptoms, especially if compression is leaking between cylinders.

Before you commit to a head gasket replacement, I’d strongly suggest:

• Combustion leak test with the diesel-specific fluid.
• Compression test or leakdown test to verify cylinder sealing.
• Check fan and water pump operation (just to be sure the mechanical cooling side is fine).

If the compression is good and the leak test passes, you might be looking more at fuel/air delivery problems or even early signs of mechanical binding from repeated overheating (as Harry in Ky mentioned).

Bottom line: get those test results first. If they point to a gasket or head issue, you’ll be going into the repair knowing it’s not a wild guess.

 

[ning]

What happens if you take a partial cut like 7 or 8 ft vs full 10 ft?

I don't know what you're asking here. I was either using the 5' mower or the 10' mower, I don't have any other mower.

He's asking if you tried cutting with some overlap on the already-cut, so you've only got 7-8' actually being cut at a time.