Question I have a 601 workmaster and I am having what seems to be a intermediate problem. I installed a new radiator last summer and sometimes when I run the tractor the overflow shoots out the radiator fluid through the overflow hose. This last time it lost quite a bit of fluid. I refilled it and ran the tractor for an hour and this time it did not do it. Any thoughts on this? Anything would be appreciated.
- Thread starter Roland34
- Start date
old
Well-known Member
- Location
- Camdenton Missouri
Your either over filling it or you may have a sticking thermostat that at times lets it get bit hot before it open
I thought that I was over filling it, however tonight when I checked it the coolant was not visible at all and Had to add quite a bit of coolant. It shot it out last week when I was in the field through the over flow hose. I refilled it tonight and ran it for 45 minutes and it ran nice with no loss of coolant. If it is the thermostat sticking would that be something that happens intermediately then?
Moonlite37
Well-known Member
How is your cap?
Steve@Advance
Well-known Member
Any history of it being overheated in the past?
Any other symptoms, like misfire, condensation under the oil cap, exhaust steam after being warmed up?
Could be a leaking head gasket pressurizing the cooling system, blowing the coolant out. Usually worse when
the engine is under load.
Any other symptoms, like misfire, condensation under the oil cap, exhaust steam after being warmed up?
Could be a leaking head gasket pressurizing the cooling system, blowing the coolant out. Usually worse when
the engine is under load.
oliver power
Member
Yes, could be sticking thermostat. Could be head gasket. Could be cracked head, etc..
MarkB_MI
Well-known Member
- Location
- Motown USA
Generally speaking, a overflow on a cold engine is a symptom of a bad head gasket. But it's possible to get air trapped in the system (for example when changing out the radiator), and that can have similar symptoms. All the air should be worked out by now, so if it continues do it there's a problem somewhere.
You do know to fill the radiator only enough to cover the cooling fins?
You do know to fill the radiator only enough to cover the cooling fins?
Motorcraftman
Member
I Vote Sticking/ and or Slow Opening Thermostat.too. Larry in N Ga.
Steve@Advance
Well-known Member
Overflowing in 5 minutes is a symptom of a head gasket or cracked head.
What's happening is combustion pressure is entering the cooling system, building pressure and pushing the
coolant out. That in turn creates a steam pocket in top of the head, causing more overheating.
Why it does it sometimes and not others, probably because the problem is in the beginning stages. Chances
are it will progress.
One thing you can do, with the system under pressure, pull the spark plugs, let it sit overnight. Hit the
starter and watch for water vapor to blow out a cylinder. If that happens, for sure a gasket/head problem,
but sometimes they pass the test and still have a problem.
There is a combustion leak test that will give trusted results. It is a chemical that changes color if
combustion gas is detected. You may be able to borrow one from a shop, a little expensive for a one time
buy.
Combustion Leak Test Kit
What's happening is combustion pressure is entering the cooling system, building pressure and pushing the
coolant out. That in turn creates a steam pocket in top of the head, causing more overheating.
Why it does it sometimes and not others, probably because the problem is in the beginning stages. Chances
are it will progress.
One thing you can do, with the system under pressure, pull the spark plugs, let it sit overnight. Hit the
starter and watch for water vapor to blow out a cylinder. If that happens, for sure a gasket/head problem,
but sometimes they pass the test and still have a problem.
There is a combustion leak test that will give trusted results. It is a chemical that changes color if
combustion gas is detected. You may be able to borrow one from a shop, a little expensive for a one time
buy.
Combustion Leak Test Kit
MarkB_MI
Well-known Member
- Location
- Motown USA
> I have always filled it higher then that. How hight above the cooling fins should I fill it?
When the engine is cold, an inch of coolant above the radiator fins is plenty. The more room in the expansion tank, the less likely it is you'll lose coolant.
When the engine is cold, an inch of coolant above the radiator fins is plenty. The more room in the expansion tank, the less likely it is you'll lose coolant.
Ok I have gotten some great opinions here in regards to my problem. I guess will start with the most obvious and replace the thermostat if that does not I will go on to check the head gasket. What are your thoughts on this? Can I use Barr'sLeak for the head gasket issue if that is it?
MarkB_MI
Well-known Member
- Location
- Motown USA
> I guess will start with the most obvious and replace the thermostat if that does not I will go on to check the head gasket.
If you can get your hands on a cooling system pressure tester, it's easy to check for a blown head gasket. Put the tester on the radiator, fire up the engine and watch how quickly the pressure rises. If it rises rapidly, the head gasket is blown.
> What are your thoughts on this? Can I use Barr'sLeak for the head gasket issue if that is it?
You can always try, as you have nothing to lose. But chances are it's not going to fix it.
If you can get your hands on a cooling system pressure tester, it's easy to check for a blown head gasket. Put the tester on the radiator, fire up the engine and watch how quickly the pressure rises. If it rises rapidly, the head gasket is blown.
> What are your thoughts on this? Can I use Barr'sLeak for the head gasket issue if that is it?
You can always try, as you have nothing to lose. But chances are it's not going to fix it.
Texasmark1
Well-known Member
That is where it is supposed to be. The fins do the cooling, the top tank is a reservoir to catch the expanding fluid as the tractor heats up.
If you are filling your tank to the top expect overflow.
For newer, closed cooling systems, they work on the principle of no air in the system for better cooling. With that you need the special cap
that allows back feed when the fluid cools and a separate collector tank to accept and hold the over flow so that it is available for the
radiator to suck it back in as the engine cools.
If you are filling your tank to the top expect overflow.
For newer, closed cooling systems, they work on the principle of no air in the system for better cooling. With that you need the special cap
that allows back feed when the fluid cools and a separate collector tank to accept and hold the over flow so that it is available for the
radiator to suck it back in as the engine cools.
Update! So the problem still kept on going but I had not used the tractor much so I had put it off. So this week I decided to put in a new thermostat and to my surprise when I took off the thermostat housing there was NO thermostat in the tractor. Do you all think that was causing the over flow problem? I did put in a new one so seems to be working pretty well. Thoughts?
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