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Farmall & IHC Tractors Discussion Forum
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Whoa, I boiled over...

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billOH

12-19-2005 09:58:12




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After fetching a load of wood today with our '51 M, the radiator started to boil over. It's been cold here (7 degrees this morning) but I don't know if that has anything to do with the problem.

Where should I begin troubleshooting?




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lee

12-19-2005 16:09:26




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 Re: Whoa, I boiled over... in reply to billOH, 12-19-2005 09:58:12  
The radiator freezes which leads to slow flow and finally no flow which leads to overheated engine frozen radiator. Used to happen to our school bus as kids a lot. They'd block the rad with card board or burlap partially to keep it warmer in the colder weather.



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Dellbertt

12-19-2005 15:01:37




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 Re: Whoa, I boiled over... in reply to billOH, 12-19-2005 09:58:12  
One other thing bill, make sure the water pump belt is adjusted correctly. My 300u was overheating until I thought to check the tension on the belt which was way to loose.



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billOH

12-19-2005 11:21:26




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 Re: Whoa, I boiled over... in reply to billOH, 12-19-2005 09:58:12  
Thanks for the tips, guys. I'll wait for it to warm up outside a bit, then I'll drain the old fluid and add a nice, strong mix in its place.

My shop manual shows the capacity of the cooling system to be 6 gallons. Should I mix half-n-half coolant/fluid or go with a stiffer blend?



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Fluggie in Ia

12-19-2005 11:38:39




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 Re: Whoa, I boiled over... in reply to billOH, 12-19-2005 11:21:26  
1/2 & 1/2 is fine! That usually get's it good to -20F and, if you cover the rad, that'll be plenty. I wouldn't wait too long for the outside to warm up as the ice that is likely frozen inside the rad now will expand and crack whatever surrounds it. I'd blow some heat on it and get 'er drained ASAP.



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EricB

12-19-2005 11:24:57




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 Re: Whoa, I boiled over... in reply to billOH, 12-19-2005 11:21:26  
Read the label. You don't want to freeze up again. That how busted rads and cracked blocks happen.



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EricB

12-19-2005 10:17:33




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 Re: Whoa, I boiled over... in reply to billOH, 12-19-2005 09:58:12  
Sounds like everyone's got it. Frozen Rad. Check your antifreeze and hope you didn't damage the rad. You can sometimes get away with it once but its an expensive gamble.



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Allan in NE

12-19-2005 10:08:07




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 Re: Whoa, I boiled over... in reply to billOH, 12-19-2005 09:58:12  
Bill,

That's generally what they do when they freeze up; seen it a lot of times. Something about that cold air coming thru that "over-built" IH radiator sucks the coolant temp down.

Throw a cover over the grille and try to get 'er thawed out then put a stiffer mix of anitfreeze in 'er.

Allan
Allan



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leon

12-19-2005 10:04:22




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 Re: Whoa, I boiled over... in reply to billOH, 12-19-2005 09:58:12  
Hope you had strong enough anti-freeze in her. Sometimes a frozen up radiator can act like it's hot and boil over. LOL



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Janicholson

12-19-2005 13:12:27




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 Re: Whoa, I boiled over... in reply to leon, 12-19-2005 10:04:22  
Antifreeze mixed 50/50 is is low as it can get (about 45-47 below F) more antifreeze is less protection (a lot less). If it were mine I would heat the radiator now and cover warm and un freeze.
The stuff in there is not going to thaw by itself and may be causing dammage.
JimN



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Allan in NE

12-19-2005 18:00:05




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 Re: Whoa, I boiled over... in reply to Janicholson, 12-19-2005 13:12:27  
Naw,

Who started that rumor anyway? 70% antifreeze to water mix is the recommended max.

Look at the chart on any antifreeze jug. It'll protect clear down to -84 degrees according to my chart with the only limiting factor being the size of the darned chart.

Allan



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John M

12-19-2005 17:19:15




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 Re: Whoa, I boiled over... in reply to Janicholson, 12-19-2005 13:12:27  
How is more antifreeze LESS protection?



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Haas

12-19-2005 19:04:32




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 Re: Whoa, I boiled over... in reply to John M, 12-19-2005 17:19:15  
Most antifreeze is ethylene glycol. The freezing point of pure EG is around + 4 degrees F. But when you add EG to water, it lowers the freezing point of the solution until you get to around a 70 percent solution of EG and a freezing point of somewhere around 60 below zero F. Then at higher concentrations of EG, it starts going back the other way. EG does not expand when it freezes like water does, so if you have a high concentration of EG and it freezes, not likely to burst anything, but it will sure stop up the cooling system.

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billOH

12-19-2005 13:54:46




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 Re: Whoa, I boiled over... in reply to Janicholson, 12-19-2005 13:12:27  
Well, I am just coming in from draining, flushing, and re-filling the radiator. I went with a 50/50 mix. The tractor started up fine and went all the way around the neighborhood with no problems. My fingers are crossed, but I don't there's been any permanent damage done.

Thanks for all your help!



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