JD 2210 360 hours, blown head gasket

[Labrat]

I installed a digital gauge on mine the year after I bought the tractor. I drilled and tapped the plug in the thermostat housing above the alternator for the sensor. If I'm working it hard and the coolant temp is 180° or higher I let it cool back down to 160° before I shut it off. Only takes a minute or 2.

 

[Labrat]

Also while the tractor is apart it would be a good time to grease U joints on the pto shaft between the engine and transaxle.

 

[Verticaltrx]

You could install a Murphy Swichgage if you want to shut down the tractor at a certain temp. They sell them for all different applications from oil pressure to water temperature. They are popular on stationary equipment that might be running without an operator around for many hours (think generators, water pumps, etc.) Basically it is a gauge that has an adjustable switch in it, when the needle reaches the switch it shuts off the fuel solenoid. I agree with the others about letting a hot engine run, but for an inexperienced/inattentive operator shutting it down hot is better then running it until the engine melts down.

 

[zx6rrider]

Didnt see the last couple posts until today but thanks for the thoughts. Ill have to look at my settings and try to get this to send me emails when there is a response as I dont get on here everyday. The switch gauge looks like a good idea...

Thought Id give an update....

So after all is said and done, looks like I have roughly $1300 in the rebuild. $100 at the machine shop, $400 for the used head and the rest to deere for parts. Block bored .10 over and head checked and new valve seals installed at the machine shop. I installed new pistons and rings, rod and main bearings, rod bolts, head gasket and head bolts, a couple gaskets (most of the engine uses sealant from the factory), and a few other odds and ends. I installed a temp gauge on it and it seems to be working well. So far we've put around 3 hours on it and it seems to be holding up fine so heres to hoping everything last a good long time

 

[kebo]

Glad you got the little machine running again and I hope the rebuild does the trick. Although, it sucks to have to be going through that experience with the unit having just 360 hrs on it. I suspect that it had already shown some symptoms of early engine failure with the previous owner, for whatever reason(s). Maybe I'm wrong about that? Anyway, at least now you know what you have in it and with proper maintenance, it will chug along for many years to come.

 

[mfreund]

Didnt see the last couple posts until today but thanks for the thoughts. Ill have to look at my settings and try to get this to send me emails when there is a response as I dont get on here everyday. The switch gauge looks like a good idea...

Thought Id give an update....

So after all is said and done, looks like I have roughly $1300 in the rebuild. $100 at the machine shop, $400 for the used head and the rest to deere for parts. Block bored .10 over and head checked and new valve seals installed at the machine shop. I installed new pistons and rings, rod and main bearings, rod bolts, head gasket and head bolts, a couple gaskets (most of the engine uses sealant from the factory), and a few other odds and ends. I installed a temp gauge on it and it seems to be working well. So far we've put around 3 hours on it and it seems to be holding up fine so heres to hoping everything last a good long time

Not too bad. It pays to do the leg work. I would wager the wife will not do that again. Live and learn.