Why a Tractor Overheats And What You Should Do

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There are a number of reasons why tractors overheat, so it’s important that owners understand the symptoms of an overheated engine. Tractor users should also understand how to prevent and fix overheating issues.

Tractors often overheat due to radiator malfunctions, coolant-related issues, low engine oil, and malfunctioning temperature gauges. These issues usually have simple solutions, but you should have a knowledge of the warning signs of an overheated tractor and know how to handle the situation.

Not only should tractor users have a firm knowledge of how to handle overheated engines, but they must also understand that prevention is often the key to keep the vehicle in the best working condition for the longest amount of time.

Warning Signs

When driving a tractor, you should always look out for the warning signs of an overheated tractor. The temperature of the tractor’s engine should range anywhere between 150 to 180 degrees Fahrenheit. Once an engine reaches temperatures of at least 220 Fahrenheit, the temperature warning light will come on.

Some models have temperature warning alarms, but others may only have a light on the dashboard. These temperature warning lights are useful, but they are often hard to see when working in the middle of the day. Depending on the make and model of the tractor, the cap of the radiator can whistle if it is reaching a high temperature.

If the light is not clearly visible or there is not an alarm sounding, it is important to look out for other warning signs.

Take a look at the temperature gauge. If the needle is pointing towards the hotter end of the spectrum, even after a few minutes of driving, it could be that the coolant system is not working like it’s supposed to and is making the engine run hot.

A high temperature on the gauge can also mean that the head gasket has blown. This can cause a host of problems, with an overheating engine as one of the main symptoms.

Be on the lookout for any leaking coolant. It could be leaking into the oil or completely out of the engine. The coolant is one of the main sources of keeping the engine in the normal temperature range. One of the tell-tale signs of leaking coolant is when the liquid drips onto the ground or you have to constantly top off the coolant.

If you feel like your tractor’s engine is overheating, take a look inside the radiator. The coolant inside of the radiator should be a translucent yellow-green or red, translucent color. If the color resembles more of a rusty, opaque sludge, this may be a sign that the radiator is causing overheating problems.

If there are any changes in the sounds, smell, or blow-by, then it could be a sign that the engine is overheating or there could even be another mechanical issue.

When the tractor is overheating, never push the vehicle past its limits. It’s best to turn the vehicle off and assess the situation.

Reasons a Tractor Overheats

There are a variety of reasons that a tractor may overheat, but most of the time, the radiator is the main culprit. The cooling fins could be clogged with dirt, constricting the airflow and causing the engine to reach high temperatures. It can also cause the steering power to not work properly.

A simpler reason that a tractor overheats is because there is not enough coolant inside of the radiator. Not having the main source of cooling the temperature will definitely cause the engine to overheat.

It is also important to check the hoses for the coolant. If overheating, it may have a small hole in the pipes or it can even have a blockage. This can come from normal wear and tear of the engine and is most likely to present itself as the hoses deteriorate and age. Blocked or damaged hoses are not easy to diagnose and it sometimes takes a professional to fix the issue.

There are cases when it seems like the tractor is overheating, but the temperature gauge’s needle is not moving at all. This means that the thermometer of the engine is malfunctioning and is not allowing you to see that the engine is overheating.

Another part of the engine that needs to often be checked is the oil level. This helps the engine to be well lubricated, causing the engine to stay cooler. If there are low levels of oil, then it will cause the engine to overheat due to the high friction of the mechanical parts moving on top of one another and a variety of other issues.

The radiator fan and water pump systems are crucial to keeping the engine of the tractor from overheating. When these systems underperform or malfunction, it will always cause the engine to overheat. Water pump issues are rarer for tractors, but they are still a possible cause.

Simple Fixes

If your tractor is overheating, it is always best to take the vehicle to a professional. Of course, this can make the diagnosis and treatment costly. Unless you have experience maintaining vehicles, it is best to leave engine problems with mechanics so that they can properly treat the engine.

If you would like to bypass going to a professional and resolve the issues on your own, there are a few simple fixes that you can try at your own risk.

Radiator Issues

Since radiators can cause most of the problems with an overheating tractor, it is important to clean the radiator out if it is dirty. Dirt can constrict the airflow, making the radiator not work properly. All it takes is a good spray of water through the vessel, but be sure to spray the water straight through, not sideways.

If there is not enough coolant in the radiator, you should allow the engine to cool down completely. Once it is cool, check for fluid by removing the radiator cap and checking the levels of the coolant. If more needs to be added, be sure that you refill with the same type of coolant that is already in the radiator.

If the coolant hoses have minor holes in them, you can choose to add radiator stop-leak material. However, if there are large holes in the coolant hoses, it would be best to take the tractor to a professional.

Head Gasket Issues

Another culprit is a blown-out head gasket. When this occurs, it allows the coolant into the combustion chambers.

If this happens, it is best to remove the radiator cap (while the radiator fluid is full) and then let the tractor idle until it reaches operating temperature. Observe the radiator and check to see if there are any major bubbles that come through.

If there are large bubbles, this means that the head gasket cracked and may need to be replaced. If there are small bubbles that occur that started before the engine overheated, the head gasket may not need to be replaced. Just be sure to observe it often for any changes.

In fact, check the engine oil of the tractor every time that you use it. If the oil appears milky and there are a lot of bubbles that are appearing, it is best to have it looked at by a professional.

Thermometer Issues

If you are having issues with the thermometer, it is best to take it out and run a test on it by inserting it into a pot of boiling water. If the gauge’s needle stays in place, that means that you will have to replace the thermometer.

Be sure not to throw cold water on the overheated tractor because doing so can cause the cast iron heads in the engine to crack and distort the aluminum heads.

You also run the risk of erupting and scalding the water, which can be fatal if the water lands on your body. If the engine is too hot to place your hand on, it’s too hot to place cold water on. It is better to just let the engine cool naturally, even if it is low on coolant.

Prevention

It is crucial to keep your tractor well-tuned by keeping up with your routine oil changes, regular maintenance, and changing the filters. Having a routine with this farming equipment can prevent the engine from overheating as well as protect it from a range of other mechanical issues.

Check the filters of the tractor before every use. The protection screen often catches dust, seeds, grass, and other objects. It’s important to clean this protection screen with a wire brush to prevent any of the items on the filter from getting caught inside the radiator of the tractor.

The air filter of the tractor also needs to be checked on a regular basis. Make sure that there is no dirt or other objects caked up on the filter, otherwise it can cause the engine to overheat. Underneath the air filter, there is a trap that needs to be emptied to remove all the dust and dirt that has been accumulated.

If the trap is not cleaned out frequently enough, it can cause the air filter to get clogged and can eventually cause the engine to overheat. It does not take much time nor effort to clean out the trap, so be sure to do this before or after each tractor use.

Before using a tractor, it is important to check the coolant levels. Don’t do this while the engine is running or hot. That’s an easy way to burn yourself! Check the cap to see if there is any dirt, rust, or accumulation of coolant. If you check and clean the cap often, then there shouldn’t be any build-up.

The radiator also needs to be routinely cleaned. This can be done best by either using a water hose or by using an air compressor. As mentioned before in the radiator issues section, it is best to clean the radiator straight on and from the back end rather than cleaning it from the front. Otherwise the debris can get stuck inside the engine.

You can also utilize a soft-bristled brush to clean out the radiator cooling fins. Just be sure to wipe in the direction of the fins so they don’t become distorted.

When rotary cutting, it is best to take the loader off because the loader may force the grass into the radiator.

One of the best pieces of advice is to not drive a tractor on a very hot day. This increases the chances of overheating the engine. You can choose to use the tractor on a cooler day, but if that is not possible, it is best to use the equipment early in the morning or in the evening.

Be aware and familiar with the terrain that you are driving your tractor over. Driving over slopes or unfamiliar terrain can cause items to become lodged in the engine or radiator.

Keep a close eye on the gauges of the vehicle, especially the temperature gauge. Doing so can help you understand how your tractor normally functions and when it is not working properly.

Most of all, it is important to always do an overall check before you turn on your tractor. Be sure to check the protection screen, air filter, radiator, coolant levels, and cooling fins to ensure that everything is clean and ready to use.

Effects of an Overheated Engine

Using a tractor that has an overheated engine is not always fatal if utilized for a short period of time. However if a tractor runs for a long period of time when it’s overheated, that can cause permanent and costly damage.

With minor overheating damage, there might be a loss of power and acceleration. If the overheating is mild, there shouldn’t be much damage to the engine. When the engine is sustained at a high temperature, that’s when major problems begin to occur.

If the tractor has been running with an overheated engine for a long period of time, it causes the pistons to wear down and possibly seize up.

When the pistons have worn down for some time, it causes scoring and the piston skirt, ring, and cylinder wall to deteriorate. This makes the pistons’ seals less effective and can cause oil to flow into the combustion area.

A way that you can tell if the pistons are deteriorating is if the smoke starts turning blue. This means that the oil is getting into the combustion area. (See Diesel Tractor Running Rough? The Fix Is In The Smoke Color!)

Some other issues that an overheated engine include:

• Restricted coolant flow
• Camshaft swelling and breaking
• Damage to crankshaft, bearings, radiator core, and hoses
• Expanding valves
• Cracking cylinder heads

These problems can easily be avoided when you closely watch the engine gauges and properly maintain your tractor.

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