Water Wetter?? Any final comments

[SheriffSRB]

Before I use it in my 1500D?? I am picking it up on Friday (I just can't get up there to get it before then) and after all I have read I suspect it is the way to go when it comes to cooling these tractors. Of course when it gets cold I will add antifreeze, unless my wife lets me keep it inside.

 

[Bob85355]

Sheriff,

I've not read or have any information on Water Wetter but I suspect its supposed to move the heat more efficiently from the metal of the engine to the coolant and then to the radiator thus enhancing heat removal. I have read that ordinary dish washing soap will do that. I haven't tried it as I don't have a heating problem with my 1500 here in central Arizona. These are well engineered tractors and my suggestion is to see how your tractor works before making changes.

Bob

 

[EastTexFrank]

I've never heard of "Water Wetter". What is it, who makes it and what does it do? That's what I like about this board, always learning something new.

 

[SheriffSRB]

Thanks Bob, I guess the volume of cooling questions was leaving me a little concerned. Glad to know you are not having any problems.
I will keep you posted.
I will be bush hogging and smoothing my driveway with the tractor, and overheating this little unit is just not on my mind

 

[SheriffSRB]

Check out Water Wetter in any of the search engines. It is a additive that reduces the surface tension of regular water and enables it to cool an engine down better than antifreeze or just plain water....

 

[Ozarker]

The reason that we read of so many overheating problems with the 1500's is that we are accustomed to either a 50/50 mix of antifreeze or, in later models, 100% antifreeze. My 1500 had 100% antifreeze in it when I got it and it overheated as soon as I used it.

The manual for the thermosiphon models such as the 1500 call for no greater than a 40/60 mix. I drained the system and added a 33/66 mix (1gal anti-freeze to 2 gal water) and haven't had any overheating since.

 

[SheriffSRB]

Thanks Ozarker...I suspect when I pick up the tractor I am going to change all the fluids, filters, etc...including draining the radiator and starting over again.
These look like great little tractors, I am glad to be getting one.

 

[Ozarker]

I really like my little 1500 but sometimes I get a envious when I see the newer tractors some of these guys have. But then I remember that I didn't even come close to spending 18K and I get over it.

It is my very first tractor and it has done everything I have asked it to do. The only limits so far have been my lack of experience in using a tractor. Of course I am not farming and just use it to maintain my drive, push snow and do all the little landscaping jobs on my honey-do list.

For something that was built in the 70's and spent the first 20 years of it's life in rice fields, it is a great little tractor.

 

[Inspector507]

Ozarker,
I hear ya Buddy, my 1700 did me well for 3 years. Then I got the itch for the FEL, Hydro, 4WD............you know. I figured if there was any better time im my life to get one, it was last year. Thats when I bought my TC18. I miss that little Yanmar though /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

 

[CAT1]

I ordered a translated manual for my 1500D and it said to run distilled water only in the radiator during the summer months. The only time you were to add antifreeze was during the colder months to prevent freezing. They were vague about the mix, but 33/66 sounds good to me.

 

[jbitting]

Howdy...
I run distilled water & WaterWetter in my 1500 in the summer, but not until the temps get into the 90s consistantly. run it just as a little "helper" for the engine. anything I can do to extend its life and make its job easier.
In the winter (Maryland), I run between 20 - 25% antifreeze and distilled water... no waterwetter.
The label says it can be used with antifreeze, but I don't see the point in the winter, as the overheating risk is not much of a concern then. actually, more trouble getting it UP to operating temp in the cold.. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
anyway, on an 85-90 degree day, mowing thick grass with a 4ft finish deck in 7th gear around 2200-2400 rpm on a moderate grade, I haven't seen it get hotter than around 210 by the top of the hill... 200-205 by the time I get back to the bottom.
also, I think adding gauges is the best thing I've done.. goes a long way to putting my mind more at ease by helping me know how much I'm stressing it. If I bought another without gauges, I'd add them... first thing.
good luck with it.. and enjoy. (keep us posted)
Jake

 

[Ozarker]

I have the manual for the US equivalent model and it says to flush annually and fill with clean soft water and full season type ethylene glycol.

My guess is that you can to it either way and be good to go.

The call for distilled or soft water is to keep all the minerals in hard water out of the system. I guess we could run a little vinegar through it like we do our drip coffee pots. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

I haven't been using distilled water but I probably should. I could probably use the rain water I collect for the wife to water her flowers with.

 

[Bob85355]

Sheriff,

Sending you a 34 page document off forum that I've compiled over several years from various discussion sites on the YM 1500.

Bob

 

[SheriffSRB]

I really appreciate the pages of info you sent me. You saved me tons of research....again, thanks. I owe you

 

[Ozarker]

Will you send it to me? Can always use as much info as possible.

 

[oldgrizzlybear]

I have a 1500D, I'll appreciate if you would send the doc to me also.

Thanks

 

[Bob85355]

Ozarker & Grizzly

Information has been sent via this forum.

Bob

 

[Ozarker]

Thanks