4110 Coolant loss

dlearyfun · Jan 30, 2009

Yesterday morning after a 16" snowfall, I fired up my 4110 and drove it out of the barn to start the snow removal work.After dismounting to get my snowblower for the wifes use (I got the better toy don't you think?), I noticed some green spots under the tractor and leading back to the barn. Engine coolant. My heart sank. Only 54 hours and my first real problem. My first thought was the worst thought. Insufficient anti-freeze in the system and the block is cracked. I had not used the tractor for several weeks and we have had some really low temperatures during that time. Last week on two occasions, the thermometer got down as low as 35 below. Before winter, I had checked my truck and car for sufficient anti-freeze and both were ok, however I never checked the tractor. Anyway, I looked around the engine and could not see any problem like missing freeze plug or cracked block but I did notice some coolant near the block heater on the radiator hose. I shut down and called my dealer who suggested that I should run it and watch for temperature rise and see if leak continued. I went ahead and did my work and no more leaks or temp rise. My main question is this. I had plugged in the block heater the previous day and it had been on for over 24 hours. Could this have something to do with it? The block heater is the water hose type. I have no experience with block heaters. Do you keep them plugged in for just a few hours or a day or more. Could they cause this kind of problem? Any ideas?

LAWALLSTRACTOR · Jan 31, 2009

First of all check the coolant level in the overflow tank and at the radiator. Make sure your coolant levels aren't low and then check to make sure your anti freeze mixture is good to 40F below. I would put a timer on your hose heater and run it for an hour before you use your tractor. Wipe the drips by the hose heater and keep an eye on it. Maybe a little snug on the hose clamps for the hose heater will stop it. Good luck and let us know how your leak turns out.

mbohuntr · Jan 31, 2009

I just put a hose heater in my 2615, I noticed I couldn't fit all the antifreeze back in. i figured i must have had a air pocket somewhere. I asked a friend how to bleed it, and still kept losing some. kept topping it off till the pocket worked it's way out. No problems now.