Overheating JD 3046r

[Frank Ray Jr]

My 2015 JD 3046r is overheating. The engine oil level is fine. The oil is clean and clear. The reservoir level is good. The antifreeze is clean and the radiator is full. The tractor is running perfectly but overheats within minutes of use. I have replaced the thermostat. No luck. The hoses don't really seem hot enough for the tractor to actually be overheating but I can smell radiator fluid when the dummy light comes on. I've pinched the radiator hoses and there does seem to be flow but when the light is on I can still open the radiator cap without the usual explosion. What the heck, can anyone help? Could there be something going on with the hydraulic cooler? My implements seem to be working fine.

 

[beenthere]

:welcome: to TBN

What is the condition or history of the radiator for good flow of air through it from the fan? Been cleaning it with a water hose? or blowing it out with air to clean?

 

[Turbys_1700]

Water pump?

 

[kthompson]

Belt slipping? May sound strange but air restriction to the engine can also cause engine to run hot. Check air filter and air intake for insect nest. Use a hand help infrared thermometer and check the temps all over the radiator and water hose, pump and even the engine. Clogs in radiator will be cooler than where coolant is flowing properly.

 

[Frank Ray Jr]

Radiator is spotless. I blewout the outer air filter but it was very clean. The inner air filter was spotless. No restriction on the air intake that I can find. This business is driving me crazy! Say a prayer if you will. I just paid $30,000 for this machine and have very little left for a big repair. I can't imagine that it's an engine issue as it was like a brand new one when I got it and has barely ever been above 1500 rpms since. Only has 141 hours.

 

[Frank Ray Jr]

I started the engine with the radiator cap off and the level dropped so I'm thinking the pumps okay. Also I pinched the hose coming from the pump and it felt like there was flow through the hose. I hope it's not the pump. Just priced one at $550 and not sure that I can do the labor. Also the dealer says he's not even sure how to get one, that his system didn't show a link to the part.

 

[Turbys_1700]

I am certain that a water pump is available for a 3 year old tractor. If that is the issue you will probably have to get it from a dealer. I would not think it is that difficult to install. Perhaps find a good local mechanic that can do it or use your dealer. How many hours on the machine?

 

[Frank Ray Jr]

The tractor is running fine but you may be right. It may be a restriction on the air intake. When I started the engine on the day this issue started a mouse crawled out onto the frame of my tractor from the engine compartment. I've cleaned the outer filter and it was only slightly dirty. The inner filter was spotless. After examining further, I see that there is absolutely nothing restricting a mouse from crawling into the intake housing. I suppose I'll tear into that next. This outfit has what looks to be a heat exchanger on the intake. Not sure how the thing works but as I say there is no screen over the air intake and it looks like a mouse could have crawled into that thing just as easily. Shame on John Deere for not screening the intake. A twenty cent piece of wire mesh could have saved me a huge headache. Geezers, are not all tractors susceptible to rodents.
Cross your fingers and pray with me brother that this is the simpler fix. A water pump is $550 and I'm not certain that I can do the labor on that. (Not that I believe that is the issue). Thanks brother.

 

[Frank Ray Jr]

The dealer was a rather large dealership but had no link for ordering the part. Your right, it doesn't seem to be a monstrousjob to install a new pump, for most folks anyway but I have limited range of motion in my arms. Chronic Lyme disease has taken a toll.
My tractor only has 141 hours so I'm hoping it is something else. Thanks for the input and by all means keep the ticks off, this has been miserable.

 

[oldtimer 66]

A couple of things. Maybe it has something to do with the Tier IV emissions, regen cycle. I am not familiar with that so maybe somebody on this web site is and can respond. Before you change the water pump and if it is a cab model you could check your heater for operation. limited or no coolant flow would affect the heater output. You probably have a aluminum finned radiator and you do not want to use shop air, 90 PSI to blow out the radiator. You can easily bend the fins over and restrict the air flow and ruin the radiator. I use my shop vacuum, lots of volume but limited pressure , in both directions. My JD tractor air intake is inside the front hood area that is screened and sealed and not open directly to the atmosphere. If the hood is opened then the air intake is exposed to the surroundings. I think your tractor is of the same design. But I am not saying that it is completely rodent proof either. Later.

 

[oldtimer 66]

Still more thoughts, maybe the mouse did some electrical work even though he is probably not a union member. A new temperature sensor maybe? Generally the newer design thermostat can only be installed in the correct direction. Just checking. Later.

 

[beenthere]

Engine is Tier IV
Maybe integral to your problem...


until you know what your problem is, then don't throw parts at it.

What have been your experiences so far with the Tier IV engine??

 

[oldtimer 66]

This will be my last comments. I looked on the JD web site and what I think is your engine details. I am not exactly sure because of maybe a serial number break. Anyways I think you have a lot of plumbing above the radiator fill. Just maybe over time your have been leaking a small amount almost un-noticeable amount of coolant/ loose clamp etc. You over heat one day and check things out and try a new thermostat. Just maybe you didn't get the system completely full, aka an air pocket per se. An easy way to fill your system is to get one of the special plastic funnels kits. I have one and it cost something under $30. I use it to fill my gator coolant system because of the heater arrangement being above the radiator fill. I makes it such that you can fill above the highest point in the system using some of the special extensions in the kit. My is a Lisle, attached pics. I got it from Amazon. Depending upon the highest point of your coolant system you can always add an extension hose if needed. Because of the small cost I would get one just for it's no spill design. On Utube "Eric the Car Guy" has a instructional video using this system. That's it. Later.

 

[Frank Ray Jr]

By the way mousy ran off, I think he must have been up to no good. I looked at the wiring and saw nothing conspicuous. The hitemp light comes on about the same time that I begin to smell hot fluid, so I think its probably correct. As for the thermostat I was very careful to replace it just as I found it and your correct, it only fits in its proper position. Though the tractor is running properly I am going to dismantle the air intake system next. At the rear of the breather body it splits two ways, left to the filter housing and right to what looks to be a muffler/heat exchanger deal. I expect to find a nest in one side or the other. I visited the dealer from whom I purchased the tractor and talked to their mechanic. He felt there had to be an exhaust or air intake restriction. There is a valve on the exit exhaust of thins heat exchanger. Going to check those wires as well.

 

[Frank Ray Jr]

No cab on this unit. I do think it may be tier IV though. I looked up "muffler" on the JD parts site and it seems I have a EGR setup (I think). The air intake is completely exposed though.

 

[Frank Ray Jr]

Eureka! Found the issue. Mouse nest in lower intake body, just before the filter housing. Operating perfectly now. Would have expected a rough running engine but that wasn't the case. Will be remedying that issue with some wire mess over the air intake.
Thank you all so much for your help. This group is absolutely awesome! Who takes the time to help their fellow man like tractor folks. Prayers answered.

 

[beenthere]

Glad to hear you found the issue, but I'm a bit confused that you don't know if your tractor is Tier IV.
From what I hear and read, that Tier IV system demands a fair amount of knowledge, attention, and respect from the operator. Maybe I'm the one not understanding Tier IV ownership.

 

[Frank Ray Jr]

I'm looking into it. Had never heard the term until it was mentioned here (not really up on the tractor scene). I bought it used and the seller never mentioned it. It does seem to have more components than the basic 3046R (I went to the dealer today to compare it with their lot model and pick heir brains) but I don't see anything that looks like a turbo fan, which the tier IV seems to have in the youtube video I watched. Going to run the serial number with them tomorrow. If it is a finicky (pricey) Teir IV, I'll probably sell it when I finish the projects for which I bought the thing.

 

[Frank Ray Jr]

Just watched the video again. It's definitely not a tier IV engine. That's good news I think. Being that I'm not much of a mechanic.

 

[Turbys_1700]

If it is Tier 3 it will have an EGR. My 2012 New Holland t4.75 is Tier 3 with an EGR valve. It currently has 1055 hours and performs fine.