Overheating problem

GrizBota

Well-known member

Equipment
L3830HST/LA724, B2601/LA435/RCK54-32, RCR1872, CDI 66”grapple, pallet forks
Apr 26, 2023
1,098
699
113
Oregon
This was a very helpful thread to our Kubota B3030 that has been overheating (bottom of red zone before shutting off to protect the engine) for at least 7 years while mowing 5 acres.

We have been through every scenario listed here, replaced belts, thermostats, anti freeze, flushed, radiator caps, on and on. Still get to the bottom of the red while mowing.

I did the radiator temp test at the top and bottom of the inlet and outlet 216 degrees at top and bottom. now I was just totally puzzled. Water pump? Clogged internal coils?

LONG story short, he has told me so many times that he has used coil cleaner and hosed out the condenser and radiator yearly (another problem we just ignored was AC not working after the tractor warmed up to HIGH in the New England summers).

THE FINAL FIX: Although the condenser and radiator looked great, I decided to do the cleaning myself. I followed the instructions, sprayed the stuff on, waited 10 minutes and hosed off (he said that is what he did, only once each attempt.)

I did it once with the hose and saw a lot of discolored water and grass dust etc. (but visually it looked perfect) So, I did it again but was concerned that I could not get behind the condenser which eats up 3/4 of the radiator area ... so I got out my (2000psi) pressure washer on a 40 degree nozzle and spent a lot of time cleaning front to back and BACK to FORWARD through the shroud and fan fins. Did this for at least 30 minutes using the coil cleaner 3 times.

RESULT: Tractor runs like brand new. Temp gets to a 1/4 of an inch over cold instead of 3/4 into the bottom of the RED and the AC is ICE COLD all day. ;-) Such a simple but elusive fix!!!!

I hope this helps someone else!
Nice! Glad you got it resolved. My tractors don’t have A/C, and the access to the radiators on either side is restricted. Doesn’t surprise me that stuff can get caught in the find and decrease the effectiveness. Thanks for sharing for the next person with similar trouble.
 
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jyoutz

Well-known member

Equipment
MX6000 HST open station, FEL, 6’ cutter, forks, 8’ rear blade, 7’ cultivator
Jan 14, 2019
2,458
1,565
113
Edgewood, New Mexico
Check out “Radiator Genie” on Amazon. A simple tool to keep the radiator clean.
 
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BBsleads

New member

Equipment
Kubota B3030
Jul 17, 2023
2
2
3
Landaff NH
Check out “Radiator Genie” on Amazon. A simple tool to keep the radiator clean.
Thanks for the advice. Got the Radiator Genie. I was sure I had every bit of debris out of the radiator and condenser but I was wrong. This worked amazing and so much more stuff came out with the water stick. Barely coming off cold now.
 
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