operating temps

Forum Forums Tractor Troubleshooting operating temps

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    • #46139
      DavidPrivett
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        I have a 2005 dong feng le204a . It has always ran well and given me no trouble but it has always had a problem getting it to operate hot enough. I have it now to run at 70 c. I guess about 157 f. pulling a 5 ft finish mower. it has as best as I know 180 f . thermostat. When I look inside the radiator neck I see circulation at  120f. it has a thermostat bypass I guess to help air work around the thermostat , I have threaded it and bushed it down to restrict the flow and it helped some. should I leave it alone ? or add a valve in the bypass tube so air can be worked out then shut it off?

      • #46140
        Bob Rooks
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          Actually that’s not the purpose of the by-pass circuit. The main reason for it is to allow coolant flow while the thermostat is closed to prevent pump cavitation. I would double check your thermostat to make sure it isn’t sticking open, and also to see what it’s actual rating is. You should have no air in the cooling system at all because air can’t transfer heat like coolant can. Ideally you want a one quart coolant recovery bottle connected to the radiator overflow tube. This will assure that air is not sucked back into the system.

          70° C = 158°. You should be running at least 85° C = 185 ° F. Running the engine “cold” like that prevents moisture from being evaporated from the oil, but also allows more soot to form in the combustion chamber and contaminate the oil. Those two items are just a tip of the iceberg as to why engines should run very warm.

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        • #46141
          DavidPrivett
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            ok the recovery bottle might be a challenge but I shall see if I can come up with something and I will just replace the thermostat with a 180 , what do you think about drilling a small hole in the thermostat and not using the bypass?

          • #46142
            Bob Rooks
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              Thermostats usually come with a small hole in them. Some even have a tiny rattler type check valve. I would not block off the by-pass at all. Coolant recovery systems usually run about $10. at most auto parts houses. Even a Mason jar will work with a hose to within 1/2″ of the bottom, and half  full when cold. Do you have this type of thermostat?

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            • #46144
              DavidPrivett
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                I can not remember it has been a few years since I was in there , but I am glad to see that about the rubber ring I had forgot about that thread that could be the problem in its self. how many pound of spring do you think on the rad. cap?

              • #46145
                Bob Rooks
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                  I believe the radiator caps should be 7 psi, or .48 bar. Double check that.

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                • #46147
                  DavidPrivett
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                    well I just pulled it apart and it has a 72c thermostat now it make sense it ran at 70 c the rad cap was marked 0.6 . I will put in a 180 f thermostat and a recovery bottle and see what happens.

                  • #46148
                    Bob Rooks
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                      .6 bar = 9 psi. You’re good with that.

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                    • #46151
                      DavidPrivett
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                        well ran it with a mower for a hour stayed at 180 f . hopefully it will run warmer in the winter now. but I did not like how I had to place the coolant tank to get it high as possible if it does not do much reclaiming ( with the extra 20 degrees f.) might move it to a different tractor that it will fit better.

                      • #46154
                        Tontosgold
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                          Aha, now I know why my dozer was losing coolant this week.  The radiator cap rusted out so I scrounged another one from my junk pile but it has a weaker spring. I started root-raking a paddock and after 20 minutes  noticed the temperature creeping up over 90C.  I shut down and popped the hood and saw coolant running out the overflow. It lost over 2 litres.  Better get the right cap.

                          Dozer YCT306S shuttle shift - root rake, tree-pusher, backhoe
                          Excavator Hyundai 17 ton

                          QLD, Australia

                        • #46155
                          DavidPrivett
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                            just do not get one that has to strong of a spring , the Chinese radiators are really thin

                          • #46158
                            Bob Rooks
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                              The coolant recovery reservoirs can be mounted almost anywhere that’s convenient. They don’t even have to be near the engine as long as the tube remains full. The tube should always be located below the coolant level in the reservoir. If it goes in from the top it should go to within 1/2″ from the bottom. The reservoir must be vented to the atmosphere. The radiator cap allows coolant to be drawn back into the radiator during cool down.

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