kubota acting up

trackiest

New member

Equipment
John Deere 6R 150
Jul 16, 2026
1
0
1
Philippines
Hi all,my first post since I finally hit a problem I can't figure out on my own. I've got a Kubota M7-172 with around 900 hours on it, and for the past week or so the temp gauge has been creeping up higher than normal whenever I'm running it hard, especially pulling my grain drill for more than an hour or two straight. it doesn't redline exactly, but it's noticeably closer to the top than it used to be and there's a faint smell like hot coolant after I shut it down. I already checked the radiator fins and they look clean, no obvious debris or chaff buildup, and the coolant reservoir is topped off with no signs of a leak underneath. I did notice the belt looks a little glazed/shiny when I inspected it... I've got a full week of tillage work lined up and don't want to push my luck, so has anyone run into this,, could it be a slipping belt, water pump starting to go, or something else worth ruling out before I call the dealer?
 

Mak65

Active member

Equipment
L2501 HST
Apr 25, 2019
141
114
43
TX
May not be the answer but easiest and cheapest to eliminate. Just because the radiator fins look clean doesn’t mean there isn’t dirt build up in them. Give them a good rinsing out (back to front) with water. I spray simply green on mine and let it set for 10 minutes or so and then rinse.
 

Bee-Positive

Well-known member

Equipment
BX1880, Cab, FEL, Tooth Bar, MMM, QH, Ballast Box
Nov 16, 2022
949
916
93
Amsterdam, NY
If you own, or have access to, an infrared thermometer check the engine block temp, upper radiator hose, and lower radiator hose. The temp differences may tell you if the radiator is blocked or if the pump may failing.
 

Russell King

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
L185F, Modern Ag Competitor 4’ shredder, Rhino tiller, rear dirt scoop
Jun 17, 2012
7,807
3,033
113
Austin, Texas
One other easy to check thing is to verify that the actual radiator is full when the engine is cold.

The radiator may not be sucking coolant back in from the bottle???
 

skeets

Well-known member

Equipment
BX 2360 /B2601
Oct 2, 2009
15,774
5,472
113
SW Pa
If you use simple green or the purple stuff,, let it set and then wash ,we all agree,, BUT DO NOT USE A POWER WASHER,, just hose pressure,, dont ask :(