Satoh 650G dilemma

[sruman]

Well, I'm experiencing an overheating problem. Here's what I've done so far, but not sure what the next steps are......

It seems that my tractor will overheat. I noticed a trend that it overheats more when using the loader or PTO unit (bush hog).
I took off the return hose to the radiator, turned the tractor over and fluids came gushing out (water pump is okay).
Next I flushed the radiator, and refilled 50/50 coolant/water. Ran the loader for about 30 minutes, turned off the unit, and it was boiling over.
Next step was to check the thermostat, although I've ran before without using hydraulics much and it didn't overheat. Do you think it is only partially opening (thermo)?

 

[oliver28472]

Are the fins in the radiator clear? If so you could try flushing it. Going to do mine today. I use distilled water and dishwashing soap, the kind you use in the dishwasher, not liquid dawn etc. After that try the thermostat. On your loader controls, the sticks are returned to neutral right? If none of that works, pull the radiator and take it to the radiator shop.

 

[sruman]

Yep, fan is in good shape, radiator is clean (I blew it out with air hose, although it was already pretty clean). Belts are new, and tight.
I know that it's not rocket science, as the cooling system is pretty basic, but before I start buying parts, I'm hoping to test and pin point the issue.
Thermostat seems the likely target.

In case anyone was wondering, when running, no smoke at all, runs smooths at all times. Just overheats when I use hydraulics (so it seems).

Where is the thermostat located on these units? It looks like it could be on the top return hose housing? Thoughts?

 

[sruman]

ok. Tested the thermostat on the stove, and it opened up. I'm going to replace now that I have it apart. What else could cause and overheating issue. Pump works. Thermostat tested ok. Radiator is clean. I'm baffled.

Since I know next to nothing about hydraulics, I had the level in the "till" position while using the loader. Would that matter?????

Also, the radiator is painted blue, all of it, even the fins where the air is pulled through. Would that impact the cooling??

I'm know I'm reaching, but I don't know what else it could be.

any thoughts out there???????

 

[oliver28472]

It could be that the flues in the radiator are clogged. May need to be rodded out by a rad shop. I think they take the top and bottom off to do that. If it comes to having it re-cored, tell them to leave off the paint. I've been having more overheating on my little D1450FD. I am in the process of installing a gauge. Then I'm going to flush it. I found another port to put the sensor in for the gauge so I will have a light and a gauge. I change my coolant at least every other year and it looks new.

 

[sruman]

Thanks. I think installing a guage will help with further damage resulting from overheating. Great idea.

I'm still mulling over why it is overheating in the first place. Is there another way to see if a head gasket is blown other than a pressure test? I've been reading and that is the only other explanation.

Can you retro the 650G's with a bigger radiator? The stock one does seem awfully small. Just a thought.

 

[sruman]

You know, I did remove the radiator tonight, took it to the garden hose, and there was a fair amount of pressure spraying back out where the hose was hooked up (could this be clogged flues??). Not sure how quickly is should flow through the radiator, but I thought it was worth mentioning.

 

[284 International]

Your radiator should pass the flow of a garden hose without backing up. A shop should be able to rod it out for you, which is the correct fix. Some may recommend a radiator flush, but it's not going to dissolve all the deposits, plus it only works where it can flow. Just take it to a shop for a rodding and be done with it. Good luck, sounds like you've figured this one out.

 

[oliver28472]

Right, don't put it back on without a trip to the shop.

 

[sruman]

This is a cool site. Thanks for you help.
Radiator will be fixed prior to getting the ole girl fired back up.