G1900 coolant leak

[jcross312]

Just tossing a line out in hopes someone can advise. Ive got a G1900 that came to me with a complaint it was running hot and the alarm was going off.

Found it was 2 quarts low on coolant, and once I topped it off, I started it up to check it out. It was hard to start, puffing both black and white smoke, but once it cranked and warmed up, ran really smooth.

But it definitely is leaking coolant from somewhere around the radiator on the right side. Not the overflow hose. Possibly the lower main hose to the radiator, but seems like it very well could be the radiator itself. I couldnt see where it was coming out exactly. The mower is, I suppose 30 years old with 1,700 hours. A couple questions. 1. How hard is the radiator to remove. (And how much are they? Any good aftermarket options?)2. Has someone reading been through this before and what did you find? 3. Any other advice would be appreciated. Thanks

 

[Hugo Habicht]

Radiator is not hard to remove, depending how you do it. Take it out with the bottom mounts, bolts are accessible from the side under the floor panel.

I would replace all hoses, I bought the full set two years ago for 50 quid.

Maybe this helps:
Link radiator hoses
Link radiator hoses replacement continued
Link getting radiator back in
Link radiator drain plug
Link radiator bumper mounts
Link radiator finished

 

[jcross312]

Radiator is not hard to remove, depending how you do it. Take it out with the bottom mounts, bolts are accessible from the side under the floor panel.

I would replace all hoses, I bought the full set two years ago for 50 quid.

Maybe this helps:
Link radiator hoses
Link radiator hoses replacement continued
Link getting radiator back in
Link radiator drain plug
Link radiator bumper mounts
Link radiator finished

Appreciate the help. I confirmed today the radiator is indeed leaking. Started removing it and got everything except the two bottom bolts that look like a pita to get to. Will try again in a day or two to remove them.

Im struggling to find a replacement radiator online. I fear what Kubota might want for it. And afraid it may not even be available, after seeing it not listed on one site that sells oem kubota parts. They had everything else listed on the radiator page, except the radiator

 

[Hugo Habicht]

Remove the four bolts of the lower radiator mounts, not the two bottom radiator bolts, see post #2 above and links in same.

And check first where it's leaking, do not embark on ordering parts before you analysed the problem, it may be the plastic drain plug.

The whole radiator is brass / copper construction, so it can be soldered or you can replace the radiator mesh.

 

[jcross312]

Remove the four bolts of the lower radiator mounts, not the two bottom radiator bolts, see post #2 above and links in same.

And check first where it's leaking, do not embark on ordering parts before you analysed the problem, it may be the plastic drain plug.

The whole radiator is brass / copper construction, so it can be soldered or you can replace the radiator mesh.

Thanks for the tip! So after removing the four bolts, the whole bracket comes out?

The radiator is leaking near the top, once I get it out will probably take it to a shop to have it repaired.

Appreciate the help!

 

[jcross312]

Remove the four bolts of the lower radiator mounts, not the two bottom radiator bolts, see post #2 above and links in same.

And check first where it's leaking, do not embark on ordering parts before you analysed the problem, it may be the plastic drain plug.

The whole radiator is brass / copper construction, so it can be soldered or you can replace the radiator mesh.

I kinda think its leaking where the top connects to the mesh/flues. Dont know the terminology, but where there top of the radiator and the mesh comes together. I think theres a soldered joint there that's failed

 

[Hugo Habicht]

Thanks for the tip! So after removing the four bolts, the whole bracket comes out?

Yes, that's right. You can lift out the radiator then with the bottom rubbers and brackets attached. Looks like on the picture then. The shroud has to be removed first, I assume you did that already.

If it is only the soldering of the top cap, that should be easy to repair.

If there is a crack in the top cap itself this could be repaired by soldering a piece of brass sheet metal over it.

Please let us know what you did in the end.

 

[TheOldHokie]

I kinda think its leaking where the top connects to the mesh/flues. Dont know the terminology, but where there top of the radiator and the mesh comes together. I think theres a soldered joint there that's failed

The terminology is top tank and core. A radiator shop should have no problem repairing it but expect it to be $$$$ expecially if it needs recored.

Dan