What is Kioti thinking?

[VictorW]

My 2004 CK30hst always runs between the dots once warmed up. Because of just dots, I have no idea what the running temp is. I never looked at my thermostat to see what temp it is. I'm more used to gas engines so here is my question. What temp should a diesel engine be running at?

 

[kiotiken]

I don't work in a field and never really need to worry about cleaning screens. I've never had anything but dead center of the temp gauge on either my CK30 or DK45. This includes pulling a 8,000lbs trailer over 50KM on a 34C day (30 miles, 94 F). Pulling the load up hills in high range brought back the hot smell from the break in period, but it never changed the reading on the temp gauge.

 

[Coyote machine]

Mine runs in the factory gauge's 'normal' range. I would prefer a temp in degrees gauge too, and a fuel gauge that actually reflected real level of fuel in tank- not just from full to 'E' when there are still about 5 gallons in the tank. Oh, and while we're jumping forward into the 20th century, how 'bout a reserve light for when one has lets say 2 gallons left?!:confused3: That's not too much to ask is it?

 

[IXLR8]

My CK30 took forever, about 1/2 hr, to warm up to the dots a little longer in the winter. My new DK40 seems to warm up to the dots in less than 5 minutes. After the CK, it surprised me how fast the DK warms up. Now you have my curiosity up to see just what temp the DK is running at.

 

[rider7767]

Kioti engineered the engine to use a 160 degrees Fahrenheit thermostat. See manual cut out below. Many small diesels run a low temp thermostats. Just because the thermostat opens at 160F does not mean the head temp is 160F. A cooler engine last longer. There are many factors in determining what temp thermostat is used, such as firing chamber design, metal types, metal thickness, coolant flow, etc. There are almost always two culprits in low temp readings. Improperly working gauge, or improperly working thermostat.
The gauge issue could be caused by the gauge itself, faulty wiring, or faulty sending unit.
The thermostat issue can happen when a thermostat sticks open causing the engine to never warm.



If you change your 160F thermostat out to a 195 degree Fahrenheit thermostat, there is a good chance some part of your engine is running over the temp it was engineered for. (most likely the upper head)

 

[IslandTractor]

Kioti engineered the engine to use a 160 degrees Fahrenheit thermostat. See manual cut out below. Many small diesels run a low temp thermostats. Just because the thermostat opens at 160F does not mean the head temp is 160F. A cooler engine last longer. There are many factors in determining what temp thermostat is used, such as firing chamber design, metal types, metal thickness, coolant flow, etc. There are almost always two culprits in low temp readings. Improperly working gauge, or improperly working thermostat.
The gauge issue could be caused by the gauge itself, faulty wiring, or faulty sending unit.
The thermostat issue can happen when a thermostat sticks open causing the engine to never warm.

http://s1052.photobucket.com/user/Anthony_Lay/media/Temp.jpg.html

If you change your 160F thermostat out to a 195 degree Fahrenheit thermostat, there is a good chance some part of your engine is running over the temp it was engineered for. (most likely the upper head)

Thanks. That is very useful.

 

[ritcheyvs]

Interesting. My 2006 DK45S also has a 160 degree thermostat, according to the service manual. The fact that the indicated temp climbs (quickly or slowly depending on load) to the bottom dot and stays there (regardless of load or air temp) makes me think the cooling system has plenty of cooling capacity. In my experience with Diesel cars, a 180-195 degree thermostat would be more typical but those car engines are seldom subjected to continuous high power loads.

 

[Hill Billy Bob]

Kioti engineered the engine to use a 160 degrees Fahrenheit thermostat. See manual cut out below. Many small diesels run a low temp thermostats. Just because the thermostat opens at 160F does not mean the head temp is 160F. A cooler engine last longer. There are many factors in determining what temp thermostat is used, such as firing chamber design, metal types, metal thickness, coolant flow, etc. There are almost always two culprits in low temp readings. Improperly working gauge, or improperly working thermostat.
The gauge issue could be caused by the gauge itself, faulty wiring, or faulty sending unit.
The thermostat issue can happen when a thermostat sticks open causing the engine to never warm.



If you change your 160F thermostat out to a 195 degree Fahrenheit thermostat, there is a good chance some part of your engine is running over the temp it was engineered for. (most likely the upper head)

I had a chance to give my new 180* thermostat a test run today. Removed the cardboard from radiator and spent 2 hours spinning the knives of my Caroni Tm1900 flail mower. Water temp gauge went up past the first dot, but not quite half way between the 1st and 2nd. Got to that point in less than 15 minutes, then held steady until I shut it down one hour and 45 minutes later. Oil temp reached a peak just shy of 180* after 45 minutes run time, then it too held steady. This tells me there's nothing wrong with water temp sender, and that 180* is between the two dots on the factory gauge. No harm will come to my engine, nor will its life be shortened running these temps. I've owned and operated diesels for over 42 years, made by VW, Izusu, and Kubota, all with pre combustion chamber heads, thousands of hours logged on each of them, at 180*+. Millions and millions of miles driving Cummins, Cats, And Detroits,(2 and 4 cycle),...every one ran at least 180*. All diesels run on the same principle, compress air to 1000*+, then squirt in some fuel. If Kioti designs and builds their heads so that something gives up with even 210* water flowing thru it, we are all in trouble...cuz when you shut them down, and the water quits moving, the temps go higher than that.

 

[rider7767]

I had a chance to give my new 180* thermostat a test run today. Removed the cardboard from radiator and spent 2 hours spinning the knives of my Caroni Tm1900 flail mower. Water temp gauge went up past the first dot, but not quite half way between the 1st and 2nd. Got to that point in less than 15 minutes, then held steady until I shut it down one hour and 45 minutes later. Oil temp reached a peak just shy of 180* after 45 minutes run time, then it too held steady. This tells me there's nothing wrong with water temp sender, and that 180* is between the two dots on the factory gauge. No harm will come to my engine, nor will its life be shortened running these temps. I've owned and operated diesels for over 42 years, made by VW, Izusu, and Kubota, all with pre combustion chamber heads, thousands of hours logged on each of them, at 180*+. Millions and millions of miles driving Cummins, Cats, And Detroits,(2 and 4 cycle),...every one ran at least 180*. All diesels run on the same principle, compress air to 1000*+, then squirt in some fuel. If Kioti designs and builds their heads so that something gives up with even 210* water flowing thru it, we are all in trouble...cuz when you shut them down, and the water quits moving, the temps go higher than that.

View attachment 339007

Hill Billy Bob,
Because of the quote, and the tone of your last post, it seems you have taken exception to my post. It was not my intentions to offend you. I am just pointing out facts. The 160 thermostat is not a mistake, but was designed to be in the tractor by the people who built it. Food for thought; if your sending unit was out of calibration and was reading 20 degrees cooler than the engine's actual temp, when you raised the engine operating temp by adding a hotter thermostat, it would still be off. Good luck and God's speed.

 

[Hill Billy Bob]

rider7787,
Your post did not offend me, in fact you were the only one that offered an answer to my question "What is Kioti thinking?... I do however disagree with the statement that "a cool engine last longer", and the idea that a 195* stat will cause an over heated condition in any modern engine....Todays engine oils need to be higher than 160* to lubricate efficently.

I guess we just disagree on this topic...but hey...what a boring world this would be if everyone thought the same way....Bob