Troubleshooting Kutje A2300N2-ATC : hard to start and overheating

[dstriplett]

You are aware that the kukje normally has two filters for the radiator? The one in front is easy enough to see and clean. There is however another one on the backside of the radiator. Look for the simple stuff first.....

 

[Gator6x4]

2018 Branson Tractor 4520C-NEO (Serial #CYRG00023)
Kukje Engine Model A2300N2-ATC (Serial #TCBG00053)
I bought it brand new and it now has 355 total hours

Symptoms:
- My tractor overheats after just 15 minutes mowing, it gets hot to where I need to turn it off or it bogs down and dies. Won't even crank until it's cold again.
- When you remove the radiator cap with the engine running, the water bubbles a lot, splashing out
- It's not showing oil in the water
- The oil dipstick doesn't show water in the oil

All of this up to now could point to the radiator, like another forum member told me today, or the water pump, BUT this throws me off:
- It used to start faster than my F150 that I bought the same year, but now to start it I have to pump the fuel pedal many many times and continue pumping it while at the same time cranking the engine for about 15-20 seconds, until it eventually coughs and shakes, then finally starts.

The mobile mechanic that came to look at it told me that it seems like it's leaking air through the head gasket, making it so hard to start. He told me to buy gaskets for him to replace and send out the head to make sure it's not warped or cracked.

Anyone heard of this or has experienced this before and can give me ideas? I'm not a mechanic so I'm open to suggestions before I spend thousands of dollars replacing the head gasket when it could be something else.

Thanks !

I think the mobile mechanic diagnosed your problem. Follow his advise. The bubbles in the radiator indicates exhaust gas is leaking into the cooling system. Keep playing with it and you will be replacing the motor and call the tractor a pile of junk.

 

[Bentrim]

1. Can you see thru the radiator core? Have had many complaints of overheating to find the core was plugged with dirt and air could not pass through the core. Is the bottom hose cooler than the top? if not the radiator is not doing its job. Also be sure air can freely flow thru all other heat exchangers, oil coolers, air conditioner condensor etc. Be sure grill is clean.
2 Is the fan belt properly temsioned? a slipping belt may not be driving the fan at proper speed.
3. Is the thrmostat opening at the proper temperature and completely? If coolant cannot flow freely past the thermostat it will ****** the flow of coolant. Does water circulate? Visible when the radiator cap is removed after the tractor is warned up. DO SO CAREFULLY to avoid being burned. Lack of circulation could indicate a defective water pump or a loose impellor on the water pump. As above also check fan belt tension.
4 Bubbles appearing in the coolant indicate a leaking head gasket, or cracked head.
5 Have you changed the fuel filters? If the filters are restricted fuel cannot flow freely to the injection pump and will cause a power loss. Yes even a new tractor may need the filters changed.
6 As for slow starting -- Head gasket, cracked head, plugged fuel filters, dirty, plugged, or poor spray pattern from injectors, low pop pressure from injectors