Tractor running hot

threeoaks · Apr 25, 2018

When running my Kubota L2800 tractor with a bush hog implement the coolant gauge gets all the way into the red zone. When I pop the hood sometime the coolant overfill tank is all the way to the fill line. After letting it rest it drops back down to the low line. Other times the coolant overfill tank is at the low line when taking a look under the hood when the coolant gauge gets all the way into the red zone.

I checked the air filter and there is no obstructions and it is a new filter. The radiator is in good condition and not clogged.

Any clue as to what is going on? I assume it is not good to be running the tractor in the red zone on the coolant gauge?

D2Cat · Apr 25, 2018

I'd double check the radiator. Spray both sides with a cleaner like Purple Power let it soak for a few minutes then spray clean with mild water pressure. dust and dirt gets in on the fins and you can think it's clean and it's actually coated.

Then check your upper and lower radiator hoses with an infrared thermometer. (You can buy them now for $20) Also check the temp at the engine head. These temperatures will tell you what is actually happening.

JerryMT · Apr 25, 2018

threeoaks said:
When running my Kubota L2800 tractor with a bush hog implement the coolant gauge gets all the way into the red zone. When I pop the hood sometime the coolant overfill tank is all the way to the fill line. After letting it rest it drops back down to the low line. Other times the coolant overfill tank is at the low line when taking a look under the hood when the coolant gauge gets all the way into the red zone.

I checked the air filter and there is no obstructions and it is a new filter. The radiator is in good condition and not clogged.

Any clue as to what is going on? I assume it is not good to be running the tractor in the red zone on the coolant gauge?

Have you checked the air side of the radiator? It gets plugged with dust and chaff and that reduces the cooling air flow through the fins.
Also a stuck closed thermostat, loose water pump drive belt, bad pressure cap, collapsed water pump intake hose, leaking head gasket, etc can be the culprits. Check all the easy stuff first.

mickeyd · Apr 26, 2018

I agree with the others. It doesn't take much to make it run hot as that is a trait with all Kubotas.

It is always when I am bush hogging that I see the temperature rise. I have to stop and blow out the radiator from the back to get the temperature back down.

85Hokie · Apr 26, 2018

AS others have said .....check and RECHECK the radiator exterior.....

but here is another thought......
empty the fluid.....
pour 2 quarts of vinegar in there, fill the rest with WATER - run till hot for a bit - like go ahead and cut grass or whatever.
Empty that ...........
Run again with ONLY water.......
Empty that.....

DO not use 50-50 .......drop a smidge back and go with like 30-70.....water is the 70%....

water IS the BEST coolant possible ....period! The great thing about antifreeze is that IT does prevent freezing and raises boiling point .....but it is not as good as good ol water when heat transfer is what you are after!

also....
get you an infrared thermometer....they are cheap now.....less than 20 bucks.

MEASURE top of radiator.......then bottom.....you should have 50F difference....70 is more or less normal. If you do not have a 50 F difference........need to have radiator "rodded"

MadMax31 · Apr 27, 2018

Wash the bejesus out of your radiator. Not high pressure water, but enough to clean the fins. Front and back.

Bulldog · Apr 29, 2018

How long has it been since you flushed the cooling system and put new coolant?

Regular green antifreeze needs to be changed every 2 years. It won't freeze but it does loose it's ability to dissipate heat.

Bulldog777 · Apr 30, 2018

It only does it when you bush hog? No other time?
What size bush hog? How fast you mowing?
It could be the thermostat sticking. Thermostats are usually not that high and relatively easy to change.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

tempforce · Apr 30, 2018

all of the above, plus i use water wetter fluid, supposedly it helps transfer the heat from the engine to the coolant and from the coolant to the radiator by 10-15%.
and thanks for reminding me, that i need to change my coolant...

mikester · May 1, 2018

I'd suggest blowing it out with an air compressor before going at it with any liquids. I find that the fine compacted dust turns to cement when it gets wet making it harder to clean out.

If your tractor is older the rad may be plugged. Don't use anything but distilled water in your cooling system unless you want problems.

D2Cat · May 1, 2018

" Don't use anything but distilled water in your cooling system unless you want problems."

Wouldn't it be OK to use some anti-freeze from time to time?

threeoaks · May 7, 2018

So the issue to the tractor running hot was a loose V Belt.

Once I adjusted the tension to make it tighter that fixed the issue of overheating.

The water pump and the fan started to operate at the correct speeds and the temperature gauge now displays a much cooler operating temperature.

mikester · May 7, 2018

D2Cat said:
" Don't use anything but distilled water in your cooling system unless you want problems."

Wouldn't it be OK to use some anti-freeze from time to time?

Sorry I thought mixing glycol + water was obvious. Tap water isn't the best choice in your recipe.

martin family · Aug 13, 2018

you will never get the tractor from over heating unless you add engine oil cooler. $100 and it will stay under 180 degrees even in west texas.
derehl has kit works great.
good luck
GM

hagrid · Aug 13, 2018

threeoaks said:
So the issue to the tractor running hot was a loose V Belt.

Once I adjusted the tension to make it tighter that fixed the issue of overheating.

The water pump and the fan started to operate at the correct speeds and the temperature gauge now displays a much cooler operating temperature.

martin family said:
you will never get the tractor from over heating unless you add engine oil cooler. $100 and it will stay under 180 degrees even in west texas.
derehl has kit works great.
good luck
GM

hagrid is cornfused...

mattwithcats · Aug 13, 2018

Instead of an oil cooler, try an oversized oil filter...

The Kubota HH164-32430 oil filter is 3 and 1/2 inches long,

The Wix 51515XP is 5 inches long,

The Wix 51773 is 7,

Same base and bypass pressure...

shootem604 · Aug 14, 2018

There are aluminum jackets with cooling fins that you can slide over your filters.

troverman · Aug 15, 2018

My brand new 2018 MX4800 with 8 hours on it was overheating, *in NH*, a few weeks ago while flail mowing at wide open throttle. The culprit was a plugged radiator of course. Grass, chaff, dust get through the mesh radiator screen and then plug up the radiator fins. It's important to wait for things to cool down before you start running water through a hot radiator...but I find just a garden hose nozzle is enough to clear it out. You might have to remove the battery for full access. I have to clear my radiator probably every 10 -15 hours of mowing.

troverman · Aug 15, 2018

Oil cooler might help but still won't solve a plugged up radiator.

skeets · Aug 15, 2018

Distilled water huh

might just have to dig out the old ahhhhhh hummmm,, oh you know that thing she used to make essential oils for her herb garden, Ya dont need no fed ticket for that,,teheee,, and the water here is as hard as an old who auuummm ,,, errrrr ,,,,, shop teachers heart. Bet I could run off a couple gallon in no time

Tractor running hot

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