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.

 

[bartonkj]

Problem solved.

I swore I cleaned out the radiator sufficiently - but I was wrong.

I've periodically cleaned out the radiator fins because they get really gunked up when I mow my field with the rotary cutter. I have a front end loader that I never bother to take off. I sometimes have it extended all the way up when I'm in the field, but I usually just have it at a "normal" height in front of the tractor - this tends to brush off all the seeds and fuzz to get them airborne just in time to get sucked into the radiator. I guess they got so compacted in the fins that my normal cleaning wasn't enough to get all the accumulated gunk out.

I had to remove the battery, oil cooler, and fan shroud; and, I had to use both water pressure and air pressure to clean out all the crap. After spending a few hours working on that, the tractor runs at a normal temperature again. Thanks for all the suggestions.

 

[ruffdog]

Thanks for responding back! I use a long air wand that is bent at a angle at the end to blow air from the back side several times a year.

 

[V1Rotate]

Glad you found the problem.

 

[jinman]

Problem solved.

I swore I cleaned out the radiator sufficiently - but I was wrong.

I sure am glad you did that instead of pulling the water pump. Of course, I was taking you at your word that you had cleaned the radiator fins. I'm really happy that others suggested you be a little more conscientious about that job.:thumbsup:

On my tractor, the hood has a vent screen that is supposed to catch all fuzz from weeds. Actually, it does a pretty darn good job. However, around the hood is a rubber seal that may get old and stiff. Under my radiator was some foam that got wiped out by acid from a leaky battery as early models did. When I fixed my battery shelf, I pulled out all that rotted foam and stuffed some carpet padding in its place. With an Optima battery, I no longer have acid, but some lint still gets through the hood and into the radiator. About twice a year, I blow out the collected lint around the edges and then use a hose nozzle to reverse flow water through the radiator. By doing it in the late summer and then again in early springtime, I've never had a problem. I'd suggest you look for air leaks around your hood closure and try to stop any large leaks. The fine screen on New Hollands hoods does catch 90% of the lint, but some of it does get through and build up over time.

 

[ruffdog]

My TC33d has the older 12 fins per inch radiator that has the screen right in front of it to stop most of the debris. After swinging the air inlet out of the way, the screen pulls up and out to clean it. I still blow the radiator out from the back when I pull the screen. Per service bulletin 3/03-T5, after serial #G039046 tractors had a radiator with 8.5 fins per inch and NO front screen installed. It was their attempt to have less plugging of the fins.