Will Herring
Well-known Member
So I did my third coolant flush today (backstory: tractor has had foaming antifreeze issues this year after running for awhile; was told it was probably just old antifreeze and just needed flushed out and new put in). It came out mostly clear this time, which pleased me. So I tore down into the tractor and went to change the temp gauge and thermostat -- and the bolts were all frozen. So alas, didn't get them changed out. But, not wanting to prolong the wait for filling it with antifreeze, I went ahead and put in fresh 50/50 mix after running some extra flushing water through the system. I put water in at the top radiator hose [thru the thermostat, I assume] and it came out the block immediately, which made me feel somewhat good.
So I ran the tractor with the radiator cap off for about 10 minutes, and the coolant got warm enough finally that it didn't feel good to dip my finger in it. So then I put the cap on it, and ran it for another ten, until she seemed to be satisfied with what had burped out the overflow and shut her off. Squeezed the upper hose and it was soft and hot. Felt the radiator cap and it was cool. Came back out in 30 minutes and the radiator cap felt quite warm to the touch, but the upper hose was still warm and soft to the squeeze.
After it sat for a few hours, I went back out and ran her for an hour. Nothing extra came out of the overflow. Radiator cap was warm while running her, and about 15 minutes after shutting her off it was quite hot. Unsure what the deal is there, may be normal, I have nothing to compare it to. Ran great, never missed a lick, just jockeyed some equipment to prepare for winter. Also, no foam in the antifreeze with this new stuff, so yay!
Anybody think I should have any concerns? Tractor fires right up and spins over freely every time the next day or later on the same day. Doesn't buck or hiss when shut down, nor refuse to shut down. Seems responsive like she always was. Just no foaming of the antifreeze, and once the coolant seemed to find it's "level" (which is just visible on the slant in the top of the radiator), it quit squirting out at me.
Above: Draining the block...
Below: Inside the thermostat housing...
I feel pretty good about it now. Anything I should be concerned about? Or should I just keep an eye on her? I hope to get the new thermostat and temp gauge installed either this winter or in spring before we plow the garden up and start the mowing season again. I just need to keep spraying the thermostat bolts and temp gauge with penetrating oil and maybe put some heat to them to get them out, I suppose. Nothing seems to scream "head gasket" at this point in time, I don't believe...
So I ran the tractor with the radiator cap off for about 10 minutes, and the coolant got warm enough finally that it didn't feel good to dip my finger in it. So then I put the cap on it, and ran it for another ten, until she seemed to be satisfied with what had burped out the overflow and shut her off. Squeezed the upper hose and it was soft and hot. Felt the radiator cap and it was cool. Came back out in 30 minutes and the radiator cap felt quite warm to the touch, but the upper hose was still warm and soft to the squeeze.
After it sat for a few hours, I went back out and ran her for an hour. Nothing extra came out of the overflow. Radiator cap was warm while running her, and about 15 minutes after shutting her off it was quite hot. Unsure what the deal is there, may be normal, I have nothing to compare it to. Ran great, never missed a lick, just jockeyed some equipment to prepare for winter. Also, no foam in the antifreeze with this new stuff, so yay!
Anybody think I should have any concerns? Tractor fires right up and spins over freely every time the next day or later on the same day. Doesn't buck or hiss when shut down, nor refuse to shut down. Seems responsive like she always was. Just no foaming of the antifreeze, and once the coolant seemed to find it's "level" (which is just visible on the slant in the top of the radiator), it quit squirting out at me.
Above: Draining the block...
Below: Inside the thermostat housing...
I feel pretty good about it now. Anything I should be concerned about? Or should I just keep an eye on her? I hope to get the new thermostat and temp gauge installed either this winter or in spring before we plow the garden up and start the mowing season again. I just need to keep spraying the thermostat bolts and temp gauge with penetrating oil and maybe put some heat to them to get them out, I suppose. Nothing seems to scream "head gasket" at this point in time, I don't believe...
