826 sticky question.

Bradford · Jan 12, 2009

This is a weekend tractor. or a once a month tractor because i got too much else going on. And it's kinda rough but it runs great.

here's my problem. I am guessing the cylinder sleeves are leaking but only in the winter. in the summer they don't leak. i just open the oil plug and let about two ounces of water out. I run this redline water wetter for corrosion but don't want any anti-freeze in the oil. I'm in texas and once or twice a year we'll have a high of 39-40 then 32 at 7pm 24 at 3am 33 and going up after that.

It hasn't froze yet and i don't think i have to worry until we get 24 hours below freezing and then below 25.

will be sick if she freezes, but i'm in a tight spot with the anti-freeze. i guess i could drain the anti-freeze between uses in the winter?

caterpillar guy · Jan 12, 2009

If your asking about wether or not to put in anti-freeze. It will look cheap if the block froze and broke. So quit being a cheapy and do it right. Or drain it and don't fill till spring. I relly hate this nonesense of should I or shouldn't I. I have lived with this for 40 years with my dad this way.

old · Jan 12, 2009

So your saying that spending $20 for anti freeze is worth more then spending $2000 for a new engine when your does freeze?? My self if your not going to use it till spring drain it or buy some stop leak and a couple gallons of anti freeze. Last I checked it cost less then $10 a gal. Don't buy the 50/50 stuff because you then pay for a 1/2 gal. of water and that water they use sure does cost a lot
Hobby farm

Anthony · Jan 13, 2009

I think you and Cat Guy are missing the point. He is not leaving out the antifreeze to save money. He said the tractor is leaking coolant into the crankcase oil, so he doesn"t want antifreeze getting in there; it would probably harm the bearings.

Also I don"t think draining it and letting it sit until spring is an option since he is asking what to do "between uses in the winter".

What do you have, one or two cold months in that part of Texas? If it were me and I wasn"t going to tear into the engine I would just run straight water for those two cool months. If you"re worried about freezing when cold is forecast just drain the water out on the ground.
In the spring you can go back to your regular routine with the redline.

Mark (EC,IN) · Jan 13, 2009

Put a block heater on the old girl...if the weatherman ever says anything scary...plug her in overnight,

............Mark

Wayne from Wi · Jan 13, 2009

Maybe use alcohol antifreeze (I think methanol) like was used for antifreeze before ethylene glycol. That way if it leaks into the crankcase, engine heat will evaporate the alcohol and not harm the crankshaft. Ethylene glycol is what will damage crank and bearings. If I am remembering this wrong, please someone correct me so no one damages their engine... Wayne

mkirsch · Jan 13, 2009

Back in the '40s and earlier, farmers would fill the engine with water and drain it out every time they ran the tractor in winter. They didn't have antifreeze.

Is the tractor kept in a closed shed? Down in Texas it's not likely that the inside of the shed will get below freezing just overnight.

Do you live near the tractor? If you live miles away and could be away from the tractor for a month or so, just dump the water.

Allan in NE · Jan 13, 2009

Really, really hesitate to tell ya this 'cause it isn't my tractor. However, I live way out in the boonies and have tried just about every poor man's remedy known to humankind.

If yer gutsy, pull the radiator cap clear off and let 'er freeze. Be sure and let it thaw out good before you start it next time tho........

Allan

old · Jan 13, 2009

If you noticed I also said to put some stop leak in it. Most of the time if it is that minor the stop leak will fix it for a very long time

Anonymous-0 · Jan 13, 2009

i have heard of diesel being used in caterpillar rads. years ago. dont know if the antifreeze was available or too expensive or what. not giving advice to do that, as i know how combustible it is. i guess they did what it took to get the job done.

Anonymous-0 · Jan 13, 2009

I've tried that and it didn't work worth a damn, all the water fell out just as soon as it thawed!

scotc · Jan 13, 2009

Use Bars Leaks stopleak. It's the good stuff. If it stops it it don't take much antifreeze to drop the freeze point to 20.

Bradford · Jan 13, 2009

well, i guess i've read too much about it but i heard that just a little anti-freeze in the oil will ruin the oil. really, my question was about how cold it needs to be and for how long to freeze a block. i see now i'm just lazy not to drain it, which i'll do now in the winter months. and keep the water wetter in it.

i posted about the starter and batteries the other day and got to thinking that somebody should make an adapter to fit a gear reduction start motor for these internationals. you have a smaller motor that turns fast with a gear reduction low amp pull and a lot more torque. I have one on my old high compression jaguar and they work real well.

thanks.

826 sticky question.

Bradford

Member

caterpillar guy

Well-known Member

old

Well-known Member

Anthony

Member

Mark (EC,IN)

Member

Wayne from Wi

Member

mkirsch

Well-known Member

Allan in NE

Well-known Member

old

Well-known Member

Anonymous-0

Well-known Member

Anonymous-0

Well-known Member

scotc

Well-known Member

Bradford

Member

Similar threads