L185 Temperature

njrqs · Oct 14, 2001

Anyone know what temp these are supposed to run at? I'd like to fit a temp guage, as after spending $6k on a rebuild for my diesel Toyota, I don't want another overheated engine.

Is there a plud or something where the sender unit can be installed ?

Neil from OZ.

kubmech · Oct 14, 2001

If I remember right your tractor has the pressurized cooling system (no water pump). You dont have the port for a temp sender, I believe there were some posts on an improvised method for hooking up a temp gauge. I believe temp on your engine should be about 180.

njrqs · Oct 14, 2001

Thanks Kubmech

I have tried to find that post but no luck.

Any help to find it ?

Neil from OZ.

Kelvin · Oct 19, 2001

I probably posted the aforementioned post sometime in the past. Here is what I did...

I have added a mechanical temperature guage to my older B7100D. The B7100 has the thermosiphon cooling system (no water pump and no thermostat). In this system the hot water rises to the top of the engine and proceeds into the top of the radiator; thus cooling fluid near the top of the radiator will be representative of the highest temperature in the engine.

I bought a NAPA brand mechanical temperature guage. Then I took the radiator into the radiator shop for the basic cleaning and pressure testing. I showed them the temperature probe and asked them to solder in a fitting in the top of the radiator next to the top water hose connection. After installing the radiator back into the tractor I simply installed the round guage into the hole in my B7100 dash where the optional hour meter would have been, then ran the probe cable down to the radiator and screwed the mechanical temperature probe into the radiator. For a cross check I opened the radiator cap and placed a cooking thermometer into the radiator. After running the tractor for a while both temperature guages indicated the same temperature.

I don't know if the L185 has the thermo-siphon system or the water pump w/thermostat cooling system. If it has a water pump, I don't know which direction the cooling fluid flows. I assume that the hottest fluid would be at the top of the radiator.

Hope this helps,
Kelvin

Anonymous Poster · Oct 19, 2001

I had an L245 on which I installed a temp gauge. The only location I could find was the coolant drain under the fuel injection pump on the block. I just removed the drain and replaced the fitting in the block with the fitting supplied with the gauge. The L185 should have the same arrangement as it is the same motor as the L245 with one less cylinder. Mine would normally run at 160F and seldom ever even got up over 180F

Anonymous Poster · Oct 20, 2001

The temperature probe should ideally be installed at the hottest part of the engine, which is normally at the thermostat housing. As there is no thermostat on the L185 or simliar L1501 etc, the next best position is to solder a fitting into the top radiator tank. The temperature in the tank should be close enough to engine temperature as the system thermosyphons and there is no thermostat to restrict the flow.

We would suggest not fitting the probe into the lower section of the block, as by the time the sender registers high readings,the top of the engine could be boiling.Also, keep in mind most senders only read temperature in fluids. If a sudden loss of coolant occurs, the sender may be immersed in steam rather than water, and will not read correctly,if at all.
For this reason, the probe should be as low as possible in the top tank.

njrqs · Oct 26, 2001

Just fitted an "el cheapo" gauge. I am even too didgy to install it in the water. So I made a bracket to hold the capilliary bulb slug against the top of the head.

So sure, I won't get an accurate reading, but even if it says on 50 deg C when running normal, I know if it gets to 60 or 70 C then I have a problem.

Simple, I think !!

Neil from OZ.