X595 Running HOT!!

RWEST · Jun 11, 2007

Anyone else having a problem with their X595 running hot? Mine is used strictly for mowing (54C deck), it's coming up on 3 years old, and has roughly 200 hours on it. It seems to be getting worse - if the ambient temp is 80 degrees or above, that needle sneaks over very close to the red range after only about 1 hr.

I keep all the screens, including the one that has the little springy-clamp thingies on it, cleaned religiously, make sure the coolant level is at the proper level before I start, etc..., but, it seems to be getting worse.
You don't think they'd do something goofy like have the fan mounted backwards or something, do you? Hmmmm.

nmu98 · Jun 11, 2007

Wash out your radiator with water. Also, make sure your screen is free of debris.

RollTideRam · Jun 11, 2007

Have you pulled out the oil cooler and cleaned between it and the radiator? Did you change the coolant after two years? I just bought a x495 that is a 03 model with 120 hours on it. Mine was not running hot, but the radiator was clogged with grass clippings. JC

Greenster · Jun 11, 2007

Check to make sure the radiator itself does not have debris wedged in between the fins. You might not be able to see it unless you look closely.

Steadite · Jun 11, 2007

Make sure the coolant concentration is right. Don't want any more than 50% and a little less is better as far as heat-rejection goes. Water is a better heat-transfer medium than glycol. I think you can go as low as 30% or so without corrosion problems.

sunnyside360 · Jun 11, 2007

I used compressed air to clean the radiator -- blow from engine side back out thru the radiator. You have to do this in addition to cleaning the screen. Deere issued a bulletin to all X-Series owners on this topic around 2003 or 2004. If your engine still overheats then the thermostat may need to be replaced.

RWEST · Jun 12, 2007

Thanks, guys.
I'll get in there and have a look at the radiator.

RWEST · Jun 13, 2007

Hmmm. Where's the "I'm a dork" smiley button?

Hosed out the radiator last nite - a bunch of gunk came out. Haven't had a chance to mow since then (t'storms came to visit), but, I hope to on the morrow, and we'll see how she does.
BTW - that radiator location's NOT one of J-D's best ideas. It's a real pain getting in there with a hose to clean things out.

AKfish · Jun 13, 2007

Sure sounds like you got the problem solved! I'm pretty **** about using the air hose to clean things and check over the tractor with. It's easier than water and helps me keep ahead of things breakin'! (Well... mostly.)

Don't ya just wish that you had 3-4 of those engineers when something is just a royal PITA to fix and it's mostly because of the way it's designed!?! You gotta be a dwarf, contortinist with skinny fingers to get at some of the things they engineered!

AKfish

RWEST · Jun 14, 2007

Don't ya just wish that you had 3-4 of those engineers when something is just a royal PITA to fix and it's mostly because of the way it's designed!?!

Yes, I would love to watch THEM do it a few times.

I imagine there'd be a re-design pretty quick.

Reminds me of changing the oil filter on the last couple Ford Expeditions I've had - you can SEE it up there plain as day, but by the time you get it out of there, your arm looks like you've been in a fight with a wildcat or something.

BTW - I still haven't had a chance to see if that's solved the problem. It's started raining every day, right about the time I get home from work. At this rate, the grass will be a foot high when I do get to it.