Temp Gauge Malfunction???

[RCW]

First off, I will attest I searched my WSM first.

BX2360 with 130 hours, mowing with 54" MMM this time of year. Everything is well-kept.

Did usual pre-op inspection prior to use. Everything normal. I really do that; almost never start it without checking oil and other fluids, and a basic once-over.

Mowed for 10-15 minutes, no more, after 3 minute warm up. Flat, level, easy grass. About 80 degrees outside. I was just touching up - maybe 2,100 rpm.

Parked tractor to talk to wife 10 minutes (well, she might have been talking AT me).

Started tractor again at idle - temp gauge goes to just shy of HOT HOT!

Left it running a minute, staring at gauge. Doesn't budge.

Open hood while running and grab top radiator hose. Definitely not HOT HOT - but does feel fluid-filled. Maybe 120-130 or so - it was hot water faucet hot. (I used to be a restaurant cook - so decent judge of temp)

Tap the dash, and needle wobbles.

Shut tractor off. No hot engine sounds - popping, cracking, etc. No hot smell.

Started back up - temp needle resets to perfect spot on the gauge - right in the middle.

Antifreeze is full, clean. Fan belt as new, tension good.

I did find a very small gob of grass between the radiator and screen. Radiator looks aluminum? Maybe not real efficient at dissipating heat?

My other thought is a funky temp gauge? Connection at temp sensor clean/tight. Did not open up the dash for further research. The fuel and temp needles reset each time started, so wonder if something stuck?

 

[Diydave]

mor'n likely a bad gauge. I'd get an IR thermometer, like this'un: http://www.harborfreight.com/catalogsearch/result?q=IR+thermometer

Just point and pull the trigger, it'll display temp, pretty accurate, where the red dot hits. On my old AC D-10, the sensor for the mechanical gauge is right beside the ex manifold, consistently reads 40 degrees too hot...

 

[RCW]

mor'n likely a bad gauge. I'd get an IR thermometer, like this'un:

Good suggestion - I've looked at 'em too and haven't bought one (yet)!

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

If electric, the gauge is probably fine, it's the sending unit that's going south.

 

[85Hokie]

Good suggestion - I've looked at 'em too and haven't bought one (yet)!

it comes in handy for all kinds of stuff!!! grillin' - shoot I was deep frying and pointed it in the oil.......375 on the dot ! True - I bought mine to see how hot my B7100 gets !

 

[Diydave]

it comes in handy for all kinds of stuff!!! grillin' - shoot I was deep frying and pointed it in the oil.......375 on the dot ! True - I bought mine to see how hot my B7100 gets !

A cheap diagnostic tool with many uses. I use it to spot hot bearings in the hay baler, spindles in lawnmowers, crud deposits(hot spots) in engine blocks, you name it, it'l help you figger it out...

 

[sheepfarmer]

A cheap diagnostic tool with many uses. I use it to spot hot bearings in the hay baler, spindles in lawnmowers, crud deposits(hot spots) in engine blocks, you name it, it'l help you figger it out...

Will it pick out hot bales of hay on the wagon or the loft? It is setting up to be another one of those years.

 

[RCW]

A cheap diagnostic tool with many uses. I use it to spot hot bearings in the hay baler, spindles in lawnmowers, crud deposits(hot spots) in engine blocks, you name it, it'l help you figger it out...

Shoot - I made the 38 mile trip to Harbor Freight this morning, and didn't put it on my list.....I don't get down there very often........AAARRGGGHHH!!!!!

 

[RCW]

If electric, the gauge is probably fine, it's the sending unit that's going south.

Good point - never had a sensor good bad, but no reason why they can't.

Not really any way to check the sensor, either?

It's single wire, so just as long as tight and clean.....

Maybe pull it, stick in boiling/hot water, then see what gauge does?

Not sure if gauge resets at GP activation, or after it turns over....

Something to look at!

 

[Grouse Feathers]

Shoot - I made the 38 mile trip to Harbor Freight this morning, and didn't put it on my list.....I don't get down there very often........AAARRGGGHHH!!!!!

Lots of IR thermometers on amazon. It will be over $35 so pick one with free shipping to your door.

 

[Daren Todd]

If it's a single wire sending unit, they usually work off from resistance to ground. Higher temp, the higher resistance it has. If your having intermittent temps where it's reading normal, shut it off and then pegged the next time you start it. I would first disconnect the wire from the sending unit while gauge is still pegged, and then check it. If gauge stays pegged with the wire disconnected then there is a short in the wire somewhere

 

[RCW]

stays pegged with the wire disconnected then there is a short in the wire somewhere

Gotcha - I'll check it.

 

[RCW]

Lots of IR thermometers on amazon. It will be over $35 so pick one with free shipping to your door.

Unfortunately, I don't use credit cards unless necessary, and seldom buy stuff over the internet.

Not that I can't; I'm just too old fashioned.

With that said, I have made 4 or 5 purchases for the Kubota over the internet!

I set up a PayPal account for one purchase; now all I get are "Unusual Activity" emails from an address that isn't a paypal.com address.

I don't get charges on my credit card.

Don't know if I should respond to them or not. My choice is not.

Cash is simple......

 

[Grouse Feathers]

Unfortunately, I don't use credit cards unless necessary, and seldom buy stuff over the internet.

Not that I can't; I'm just too old fashioned.

With that said, I have made 4 or 5 purchases for the Kubota over the internet!

I set up a PayPal account for one purchase; now all I get are "Unusual Activity" emails from an address that isn't a paypal.com address.

I don't get charges on my credit card.

Don't know if I should respond to them or not. My choice is not.

Cash is simple......

Credit Cards are pretty safe as the credit card bank is responsible for unauthorized purchases. I have had unauthorized charges several times and the bank sends an email or calls to inform me of a suspicious charge almost immediately. I have never had to pay for an unauthorized charge or had the bank question a charge that I said was unauthorized. The only hassle is your credit card is cancelled and you are sent a new card with a new number. I think the larger issue is users who can't control their own spending. I have never carried a balance from month to month, its paid in full by the due date. All that said and I can also understand your position of wanting to deal in the safety of cash.
Amazon is nice when you live 20 miles from three towns of less than 10,000 and 50 miles to a town big enough to have a Home Depot, Walmart, Tractor Supply and not much more. Shopping can be limited.

 

[RCW]

Amazon is nice when you live 20 miles from three towns of less than 10,000 and 50 miles to a town big enough to have a Home Depot, Walmart, Tractor Supply and not much more. Shopping can be limited.

Yeah, similar here, but we do have a Lowes and TSC within 10 miles.

I just need to get with the times. Once a farmboy, always a farmboy.

 

[Tooljunkie]

So,not a case of heat soak?
Go to gas station and fill my truck. Restart and guage is near pinned out. In a minute it drops and stabilizes.
Sticky guage would come to mind. Ohmmeter test cold and at operating temp. Record the numbers. If it does it again you have numbers to compare, could rule out bad sensor.

 

[85Hokie]

Yeah, similar here, but we do have a Lowes and TSC within 10 miles.

I just need to get with the times. Once a farmboy, always a farmboy.

I was born a city boy .....but love the country life! I too aint fond of credit cards, havent use one (visa-MC) in like 20 years.....but I do use my lowes card, and get 5% off on every purchase - hell that ALMOST covers the tax....and I too pay it off at the end of the month. I love Amazon , and even when something gets screwed up - amazon always has fixed it. Even bought a XBOX360 card that was bogus - took a me two weeks to convince amazon that I wasnt crazy, but truly internet transactions are safer than when you use to call a company and give your number over the phone!!! Amazon never really sees the card - just the fact the amount is covered.....when you call someone , they can write IT down!