L2201 water temp sensor

Thanasis

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Kubota L2201DT
Feb 21, 2021
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Hallo everybody,

tried to hook an analogue water temperature gauge on my L2201DT. Pretty easy job but the readings are 40-45 Celsius when idle and 60 degrees under pressure. I tested the sensor before installing it and works fine. I use 50-50 water with antifreeze so I would expect a normal temperature at around 100 Celsius to 120 under load. The tractor works fine but I can’t figure out why I get these readings on the gauge.
Any recommendations are welcome!
 

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North Idaho Wolfman

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L3450DT-GST, Woods FEL, B7100 HSD, FEL, 60" SB, 743 Bobcat with V2203, and more
Jun 9, 2013
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Sandpoint, ID
EDITED:

100c would be 212f
120c would be 248f
Yes, that range would be on the mark.
 

Thanasis

New member

Equipment
Kubota L2201DT
Feb 21, 2021
19
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45C to 60C is right on the mark.
That is about 113f to 140f

100c would be 212f
120c would be 248f
Both of those you would have a Junk tractor, well a blown or cracked head!
On a post for the l1501 which is the 2 cylinder version of mine 110 Celsius is mentioned as the normal operating temperature. Isn’t 45-50 Celsius a little bit low for an engine?
 

North Idaho Wolfman

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L3450DT-GST, Woods FEL, B7100 HSD, FEL, 60" SB, 743 Bobcat with V2203, and more
Jun 9, 2013
33,314
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Sandpoint, ID
Sorry, yes your right I got lost in the conversion.

220F is optimal.

Check the cooling fluid level.
Does your model have a water pump?
 

Thanasis

New member

Equipment
Kubota L2201DT
Feb 21, 2021
19
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Greece
Sorry, yes your right I got lost in the conversion.

220F is optimal.

Check the cooling fluid level.
Does your model have a water pump?
Fluid level is fine. I believe there is a water pump but since the tractor is not overheating I can’t see why would it be the problem. My guess is that for some reason the sensor can’t pick the true temperature. So far without the gauge I never had issues.
 

ctfjr

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Is it possible your sensor and display are mismatched?

That brass piece is just a well??? If so perhaps some heat conductive grease in there might help.

Before you go crazy though, can you remove the sensor and insert it in a pot of boiling water?
 

Thanasis

New member

Equipment
Kubota L2201DT
Feb 21, 2021
19
0
1
Greece
Is it possible your sensor and display are mismatched?

That brass piece is just a well??? If so perhaps some heat conductive grease in there might help.

Before you go crazy though, can you remove the sensor and insert it in a pot of boiling water?
The gauge is analog so the sensor with its cable is preattached to the gauge. I already tested the sensor and works fine. The grease is a good idea though.
 

Thanasis

New member

Equipment
Kubota L2201DT
Feb 21, 2021
19
0
1
Greece
Update,

I used some heat conductive grease but still the temp is 45-50 Celsius and 60-65 under load. The responsiveness though improved. A mechanic told me that it could be normal for old tractors like mine. I am not sure what to believe. I could try a new brass fitting that goes even deeper or make one where the sensor itself will be directly into the water.
 

North Idaho Wolfman

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Staff member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
L3450DT-GST, Woods FEL, B7100 HSD, FEL, 60" SB, 743 Bobcat with V2203, and more
Jun 9, 2013
33,314
8,659
113
Sandpoint, ID
Update,

I used some heat conductive grease but still the temp is 45-50 Celsius and 60-65 under load. The responsiveness though improved. A mechanic told me that it could be normal for old tractors like mine. I am not sure what to believe. I could try a new brass fitting that goes even deeper or make one where the sensor itself will be directly into the water.
Yes, I would do that as all the sensors that I've seen are much longer.
 

Thanasis

New member

Equipment
Kubota L2201DT
Feb 21, 2021
19
0
1
Greece
Major update, there is no thermostat at all installed. Someone removed it with its housing and welded a pipe that goes to the radiator. I will order a new housing and a new thermostat and see how the sensor reacts.
 

Thanasis

New member

Equipment
Kubota L2201DT
Feb 21, 2021
19
0
1
Greece
Latet update,

the sensor works fine. The small tempertures I used to see were due to the combination of cold weather and the lack of a thermostat. Now with outside temp from 20-26C when I use the bush hog it goes up to 100-105C.