tractor overheating

I would try flushing out the cooling system and replacing the coolant with new mix. Then I would keep a close watch on the coolant level each time I used the tractor, to see how fast it goes down. The level in the radiator will not stay completely full, you will get some airspace at the top of the radiator, but that level should stabilize. If coolant is puking it out the overflow very much after it is warmed up, you may very well have head gasket problems. There are test strips available to test for combustion gasses in coolant, but from my experience, when a head gasket fails, you get lots of bubbles to the cooling system and out the overflow. Be careful with the pressure cap. If you open it hot, it might boil out a bunch of coolant very fast, and burn you. If the tractor just reads hot on the gauge, but does not boil over, I would try to continue to use it--the gauge may be reading hotter than the coolant really is.

You can test most thermostats by putting them in a pan of water on the stove and seeing if they open as the water gets hot. But of course, you have to remove them from the vehicle first.

I have had water pumps go bad, but usually they leak coolant at the bearing seal and the problem is very obvious. But once I had a slant 6 Mopar that somehow had the impeller of the water pump come loose from the shaft. It didn't leak, but sure got hot fast without coolant circulation. You might want to check for coolant circulation, which you can usually see in an open, unpressurized radiator with the engine running and the engine warmed up enough for the thermostat to be open.

Having the radiator rodded out can't hurt, but can get expensive. I haven't needed to have one done since I started using only distilled water to make my coolant mix some years ago. I usually change antifreeze every 3 or 4 years in tractors or trucks I don't use a whole lot.

Good luck, I hope you don't have a big problem!

Check the thermostat by putting it a pot of water on the stove. Heat that water and watch for the thermostat to open. I use a thermometer, a meat thermometer works, as does a candy thermometer to check the water temperature. The thermostat should open before the water boils for sure, and it should say a temperature on the thermostat and it ought to be quite a bit open at that temperature. Probably 180 though it could be 160.

Then I check the new one the same way, its too much trouble to change a thermostat and find the new one is faulty.

When you've cleaned it all up put in 50/50 antifreeze and water. That has a higher boiling point than plain water.

Gerald J.

You're on the right track. Here's what I'd do if I were you:

1. Put the radiator back onto the tractor.
2. Reinstall the thermostat housing, but don't reinstall the thermostat. You'll have to get a new gasket for here eventually, but for now, just reuse the old one.
3. Open the drain plug on the bottom the radiator.
4. Using a water hose to refill the radiator, refill the radiator and start the tractor (leave the drain plug open on the radiator).
5. Run the tractor with the drain plug open and use the hose to constantly refill the radiator until the water coming out of the drain plug is pretty clean.
6. Stop the engine and go get some radiator flush at a parts store.
7. Follow the directions on using the flush. Don't reinstall the thermostat and don't refill the radiator with anti-freeze.
8. After completing the flush, refill the radiator with water and give it a try.

If it's still overheating, remove the radiator and take to a radiator shop to have it "boiled out". Rodding the radiator actually involves removing the top and bottom of the radiator and running a rod through the tubes that go through the cooling fins. You probably don't need that, but the radiator shop will be able to tell when they clean and test the radiator.

Put it all back together, buy a new thermostat, install it properly (it's easy to put it in backwards), refill the cooling system with water, and give it a try.

If it stays cool, drain the water and refill the system with 50% water/antifreeze mixture.

Good luck,
Tom in TN

also for poster asking about my name . im sorry no thats another ron laws although i wish i was retired and living in montana lol.