TC29DA Overheating

[bartonkj]

My TC29DA has 440 hours on it and has been running very hot for a little while now. After about a 1/2 hour, the temp gauge gets very close to the red.

Here's what I've done so far:
The radiator fins have been cleaned out - still too hot
The radiator cap was leaking and has been replaced - worked a little better, but still gets too hot
The radiator was flushed and new coolant put in - worked a little better, but still gets too hot
The thermostat was replaced - still gets too hot

I left the radiator cap off and let it warm up to see if coolant moves through top of the radiator when the thermostat opens (to see if water pump is pumping). I see coolant flowing, but I have no idea if the flow is like it should be. Should it look like a river flowing, or does it just sort of swirl around a bit? Mine just sort of swirled around a bit and steam floats up when the thermostat is open.

Please help me with what to look at next, I'm stumped. I can do some repairs myself, but I've never tackled anything major.

 

[V1Rotate]

Are you sure that is overheating? Maybe the gage is bad. Try using an infrared thermometer to see what the engine temp really is and start from there.

 

[bartonkj]

Sorry - I should have mentioned that I know it is overheating because I can feel it get hotter than it used to when it ran fine; and, I've seen the coolant boil over out of the overflow tube....

 

[jinman]

You can remove the thermostat completely. If it still heats up, it's time to pull the waterpump. You should see the water really rolling through if you lower the amount of fluid in the radiator to just above the core. Reve the engine and you should see lots of activity.

Did you ever see any bubbles in the water? Bubbles of air indicate a blown head gasket allowing hot gasses directly into the water.

I just think with all you've done, the probability of the waterpump being bad is highest. The thermostat isn't in backwards, is it?

 

[bartonkj]

No bubbles in the coolant.

Thermostat is installed in the same direction as the original one from the factory.

Thanks for the tip on removing the thermostat and lowering coolant level to see how strong the flow is. I'll give that a try next.

 

[bartonkj]

Now I'm perplexed. I removed the thermostat and ran the tractor. The water pump is pumping coolant through the system: I saw the coolant flowing like a river through the top of the radiator.

With new coolant, new radiator cap, new thermostat, and water pump pumping - why would the tractor be overheating?

I will try brush hogging with the thermostat removed to see how hot it runs.

 

[jinman]

I know you said you've seen boil-overs, but I think you really need to buy one of these non-contact thermometers and do some heat searching. With one of these, you can map where the heat is on the engine and even inside the radiator to make sure no cores are stopped up. It will verify your temperature gage is working properly and make your searching for the source easier. I have one I use for a cooking thermometer to quickly check the temperature of frying oil. They are perfect for so many things and very cheap considering accuracy and ease of use.

 

[ruffdog]

Also, verify with a light on the back side of the radiator that you can LOOK through the fins....the whole radiator too.

 

[bartonkj]

I considered getting one of those non-contact thermometers, I guess I'll break down and get one. I'll also check to make sure I can see through the radiator fins.

 

[amaxwell]

Also, verify with a light on the back side of the radiator that you can LOOK through the fins....the whole radiator too.

One plus on this idea ,it is amazing how much trash and dirt sticks inside between the coils of the radiator. I had to pull my radiator and push a small plastic piece thru each opening after I got my used tractor to prevent overheating.