Cooling issues - BX

[douce48]

I ran my tractor (BX24 - 220hrs) yesterday for about 4-5 minutes since I have not started it in about a month (it's stored in a 70+ degree garage). I brought it back in and noticed antifreeze on the ground about a 2 inch circle.

The catch is, I just had the radiator replaced amonth ago. The dealer stated the radiator had all sorts of 'pin holes' at the bottom of the leaking radiator. Kubota covered the radiator even thought it was out of warranty since they described it as a possible defective radiator.

Now the new radiator has the antifreeze possibly leaking in the same place as the old one. I can see fluid at the base of the radiator all along the fins. I don't see any fluid leaking from the top or any where else, it's all dry.
I opened the cap and the antifreeze is at the very top of the filler neck (right to the cap).

Is it possible that the hose from the filler neck which goes to the overflow tank is blocked? But that would show antifreeze leaking from around the cap, wouldn't it?

I am at a loss. It's very hard, as you know, to see around this area since it's so compact but I used welding mirrors yesterday and observed no wetness or antifreeze leaking out of any hoses. The whole tractor was dry except for the base of the radiator. Is it possible this one is defective too?

This is quite annoying since I bought a front snowblower this year and have only used it once. Thank God for my 89' Wheel Horse and blade.

Any help/incite would be appreciated.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Any thing is possible. I bought a new truck and the wheels seemed to shimmy. Took it back to dealer to check and it had 2 out of round new tires on it. New BX's front tires leak on one side way to often so several wheels or rims are bad and I'm sure the same could apply to radiators. First I would remove some of the antifreeze from the radiator so it isn't all the way to the top. After doing that I would dry the radiator off to almost absolutely dry. Then if it leaks again I'd use toilet paper to try and find the leak. Toilet paper will instantly show when it gets the slightest bit wet. Start at the top and work your way down till moisture is discovered.

 

[radioman]

that is a cool tip trick with toilet paper johnthomas.

douce48 - whats the temp gauge show when you were using it and when it was put away before you noticed the leak? I find it really odd to have a leak in radaitor with such low hours on the BX. Whats the level say on the overflow tank before and after use ? the day after it has chance to cool off ? All these clues is important.

 

[douce48]

Thanks guys. I'm going out right now to start looking for clues.

I didn't look at the temp gauge since it was only running for 4-5 minutes in 20 degree weather.
The overflow tank did seem a little low (not in the low/high range).

I'll post in a little if I find any clues.

Douce

 

[Labrat]

I would rinse the bottem of the radiator with water and let it dry. They may have spilled some when they filled it and it sat on the bottem of the radiator or some coolant was sitting someplace under the radiator when they pulled out the old one.

Also, these small diesel engines will sometimes drip a little out the water pump weep hole when the sit for a long time.

 

[douce48]

I checked the radiator level and it was at the bottom of the neck. The overflow tank was at 'L' which I think is normal when it's cold. The overflow hose was clear of blockage/debris.

Well, I rinsed the radiator (front and back) and blew it dry with a compressor.

I ran the tractor to mid temp. and then shut it off. There was no coolant leak at the bottom of the fins (this is where I first saw it) but there was some coolant on the ground. So I took off the fender and hood to access the hoses.
The bottom one had a ring of coolant around it and the clamp so I tightened (it wasn't really that loose) it. I ran it again to mid temp. and now I'm waiting.

If it was coming from the bottom hose, I don't how it was getting to the bottom fin area and covering the whole bottom area.

One thing I'm not pleased with is one of the headlight assembly angled tabs was broken right off. I loosened the bolt and the 'bracket/tab' just fell off. When I brought this tractor to the dealer to have the radiator replaced the first time, I had the fenders and headlight assembly in hand since I removed them to find the initial leak. They must have stepped on it. I think it's quite weak that they did not own up to it.

BX24 quality is another topic which I will comment on.

If I find anything else out on the leak, I will post it.

Douce

 

[radioman]

I think you are on the rigth track- half of the problems you are having seems dealer related, not kubota related. If the clamp is the issue, I would take it up with the dealer and talk to them about the crack and loose fitting. If you cant get anything resolved, perhaps talking to a kubota rep will get things resolved.