New Gauges what should the temp gauge read

ym2610 · Oct 12, 2005

Hi just got a set of sunpro gauges on my 2610 and the temp gauge (mechanical) is around 140, a heavy load it will get close to 160, is this normal or could I have a bad gauge, one last question how hot is to hot, this is my first tractor, I work on autos (shade Tree) and 195 to 220 is what I'm use to seeing, I don't a have light anymore so I can't compare it coming on to what the gauge would be reading. Thanks in advance if you can help, if not its still a great place to get info. Robert

ym2610 · Oct 12, 2005

Ok I just got the first question answered, I should have did some reading on here first, a few post back, the title is (water temp) duh /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif, anyway the last question, what would you think would be to hot, 160 170 180 , I don't want to burn up the motor.Thanks again Robert

reb · Oct 13, 2005

Many posters on this subject imply that anything over 200 or so is bad. I figure that the engineers that designed these things selected the temp light switch to work at some point below the temperature at which damage would occur. That says somewhere around 238 (if I remember correctly) should be safe. It is probably best to operate at some point below that just for peace of mind. As long as it is not boiling, you are probably ok.

California · Oct 14, 2005

Reb, I agree. The spec for the light is around 238 degrees, close to the boiling point of 13psi water. (Maybe 250+ if it contains coolant like it ought to).

I think on most any IC engine so long as the water doesn't boil out you are still in normal temperature range. The light is an early warning that you are getting close to losing the water, but not in itself evidence of damage.

normde2001 · Oct 14, 2005

My YM2000B has a factory temp gage, with no #'s, just marks. It barely gets to the 25% mark normally, and only higher if the radiator screen gets plugged with chafe. Compared to other temp gages, I estimate that to be about 140-160, (no thermostat), and the tractor could not run any better. All of the cars I have had with gages, the gage stayed below the 1/2 mark, which I estimate to be about 190, which is where most thermostats open. I don't think the temp should rise after the thermostat opens, unless there is a problem.

bassfishrman · Oct 14, 2005

my ym240 runs at 170-190 degrees

occassionally, on a 95 degree day, it may touch the 200 mark

ym2610 · Oct 14, 2005

Thanks for the info everybody, used it today it never got over 160, sounds like to be safe if it hits 180 (good round number) need to stop and clean the radiator. Thanks again Robert

normde2001 · Oct 15, 2005

"sounds like to be safe if it hits 180 (good round number) need to stop and clean the radiator"

A whisk broom was the first tool to go in my toolbox, for that very purpose. I stop and clean as soon as I see any rise in temp. Hard running or ambient temp. has no effect on my tractor temp.

BruceR · Oct 16, 2005

I thought mine was running a little higher than it should so I took the screen off to get a better look inside the cooling fins of the radiator and sure enough, there was a lot of blockage in there behind the screen. I just hope all that chafe I just washed out is not seed for some sort of invasive plant life like all this Japanese honeysuckle that keeps trying to take over East Texas.

Bruce

ym2610 · Oct 16, 2005

I know what your talking about, my radiator was full of some kind of black stuff, a regular water hose would not get all of it out, I had to use a pressure washer, I remember thinking the same thing, what in the world I'm I washing out of here from Japan, but the dirt and some paint that I washed away was helping hold back a leak, that I found today, right around the top of the tank, not bad,but that is OK I have a good friend in the radiator repair business, maybe time to call in a favor. Thanks again everybody for the post, keep up the good work...Robert