Anti-freeze ....or drain?

banjoman09 · Oct 18, 2020

I have several tractors that are not used thru the winter.....mostly older ones; is it better to just drain the blocks if they have water or should I anti-freeze them and leave liquid in the cooling system?

Rich'sToys · Oct 18, 2020

I leave anti-freeze in mine. That way I don't have to worry about forgetting to drain them, or getting them drained completely. Of course, you also have to remember to test them every few years to make sure the anti-freeze is still up to strength. I have a couple I need to redo yet this fall.

old · Oct 18, 2020

Anti freeze has thing in it to help keep things from rusting up

John Deere D · Oct 18, 2020

I leave ATI-FREEZE in all Engines I own with WET LINERS....why take a chance on gaskets / O-RINGS....or bottom end liner to block bore gaskets drying out?

I also leave Anti-freeze in the other liquid cooled engines, as I have seen to many HEAD GASKETS leak when coolant is added in the spring..

Our location ..Dec,1>Feb,1....often -40 Deg F....October 15 > November 15,often -30 deg F...
Bob...

David G · Oct 18, 2020

Make sure antifreeze is good and keep it in there.

Remember, it does loose corrosion and cavitation protection with age.

fastfarmall · Oct 18, 2020

Yes i remember watching a film in Vo-Ag class, that told that same very thing, so i don't feel bad threwing away nice looking Anti-Frezze! And that was many years ago, Long before we high powered diesels like we have now,when i was in high school!

Steve@Advance · Oct 18, 2020

Anti freeze always!

Even a drained block, if it really does fully drain, and most won't, still contain enough water to sit and condense and turn into a rusty mess.

Also if there are O ring seals on the cylinder liners, and any other gaskets, pump seals, will dry out if left exposed to air.

And if they have been drained, or question about what's in them, best to flush and refill with 50/50 antifreeze, and start and run until the thermostat opens to be sure there is not untreated water trapped in the block.

Mark-Mi · Oct 18, 2020

My Grandpa run water in his Farmall H spring till fall and drained it. Then in the spring he would put a fresh charge of well water in it. Now the water jacket looks like it has stalactites in it.

banjoman09 · Oct 18, 2020

Ok and good to know- I will anti-freeze them all. Steve....just tell me why 50/50 ? I usually buy full strength and mix it 50/50. Thanks

Stephen Newell · Oct 18, 2020

You shouldn't be running straight water. Antifreeze has rust preventives in it which would keep your cooling system in good order. Keep in mind if you do drain the water out it won't drain 100%, there will be places where water will remain and could freeze and cause damage. You should at least run some antifreeze through it even if you drain the coolant.

old · Oct 18, 2020

70/30 is the best protection but not needed in most of the U.S. 50/50 is the most common mix and if you look at an antifreeze jug it will have a chart explaining the mixing

showcrop · Oct 18, 2020

(quoted from post at 18:06:16 10/18/20) Ok and good to know- I will anti-freeze them all. Steve....just tell me why 50/50 ? I usually buy full strength and mix it 50/50. Thanks

Mixing yourself is fine so long as your water is good. very hard or very soft water is not good for the motor.

Ken Loewenhagen · Oct 19, 2020

I have an Oliver 880 that Pa bought new. I don't know why but, every spring he would drain and save the anti freeze, flush the system with well water and fill it with well water. In the fall he would flush and put the anti freeze back in. Five years ago, I was blowing snow with it and the engine came to a sudden stop. Tried to start it but, I all I heard was a clunk from the starter. A half an hour later it fired right up. I've worked on enough engines to know what happened. I tore it down and behind the rear cyl. the crud was packed in 3/4 to the top of the sleeve and it had seized. Cause, well water. My JD D which I overhauled in 68 always had water put in every spring and drained in the fall. Two years ago I replaced the head gasket. I removed 3/4 of a coffee can of sludge out of the block. Cause, well water. I've always kept anti freeze in all my tractors except the D. Do yourself a favor and put in anti freeze with distilled water or use the premix.

Determined · Oct 19, 2020

I have parted out many vehicles over the years and have removed many a used but good fuel tank or radiator.
Once they sit empty for a few years most of them will leak when you try to use them again.

Fordy20 · Oct 19, 2020

Anti-freeze for sure but use distilled water which at around a dollar a gallon is well worth the money. And, if diesel especially, include additive to prevent cavitation - use test strips to check. Test strips have an expatriation date so check that too.

Meangreen · Oct 19, 2020

(quoted from post at 16:51:49 10/19/20) Anti-freeze for sure but use distilled water which at around a dollar a gallon is well worth the money.

+1

banjoman09 · Oct 19, 2020

Sounds good to me and thanks!

Anti-freeze ....or drain?

banjoman09

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old

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