8n Ford antifreeze

[gblj]

I checked the antifreeze yesterday before brushhogging, it was above the core, maybe a inch, after 45 minutes to an hour steam started coming from the radiator cap, I let it cool and checked it, it was about the same as it was before about a inch above the core, I filled it to the top of the cap, finished brushhogging with no problem, anyone got a idea what's going on.
I don't see anywhere it's leaking, the oil looks good not milky,

 

[Farmall m farmer]

Does it have a working temp gauge if so what was the temp I’m not familiar with ford 8Ns but like every other tractor of that time period what it got hot it went out the overflow on the ground if there was steam coming out I would assume it’s getting hot since you were bush hogging I would blow the radiator out with air and keep an eye on the temp

 

[Non-farmer]

I checked the antifreeze yesterday before brushhogging, it was above the core, maybe a inch, after 45 minutes to an hour steam started coming from the radiator cap, I let it cool and checked it, it was about the same as it was before about a inch above the core, I filled it to the top of the cap, finished brushhogging with no problem, anyone got a idea what's going on.
I don't see anywhere it's leaking, the oil looks good not milky,

Only fill an N radiator until the antifreeze is just over the core. Fuller, and it will often do what it did to you as the coolant heats up and expands.

 

[Jim.ME]

I checked the antifreeze yesterday before brushhogging, it was above the core, maybe a inch, after 45 minutes to an hour steam started coming from the radiator cap, I let it cool and checked it, it was about the same as it was before about a inch above the core, I filled it to the top of the cap, finished brushhogging with no problem, anyone got a idea what's going on.
I don't see anywhere it's leaking, the oil looks good not milky,

If you don't have a temp gauge on the tractor, get and carry a handheld temp gun and check it some. It may not be as hot as it looked to you.

 

[gblj]

Does it have a working temp gauge if so what was the temp I’m not familiar with ford 8Ns but like every other tractor of that time period what it got hot it went out the overflow on the ground if there was steam coming out I would assume it’s getting hot since you were bush hogging I would blow the radiator out with air and keep an eye on the temp

No temperature gauge

 

[gblj]

Only fill an N radiator until the antifreeze is just over the core. Fuller, and it will often do what it did to you as the coolant heats up and expands.

It was filled just above the core and it heated up.

 

[Janicholson]

It was filled just above the core and it heated up.

Unless someone added an overflow tank, and asealing radiator cap that controls overflow, (unlikely) the correct coolant level is an inch above the cores. As noted, more coolant than that will push its way out of the overflow. Do add a temp gauge or the hand held temp sensor. A test kit for combustion gasses in the coolant are not expensive, and help assess cracks and gasket leaks. Good luck. Jim

 

[gblj]

I checked the antifreeze yesterday before brushhogging, it was above the core, maybe a inch, after 45 minutes to an hour steam started coming from the radiator cap, I let it cool and checked it, it was about the same as it was before about a inch above the core, I filled it to the top of the cap, finished brushhogging with no problem, anyone got a idea what's going on.
I don't see anywhere it's leaking, the oil looks good not milky,

Does anyone think my fan belt is to loose, you can turn the fan by hand and it just slides on the pulley.

 

[Jim.ME]

Does anyone think my fan belt is to loose, you can turn the fan by hand and it just slides on the pulley.

Don't you think that is too loose? I think it is, it might slip when you turn the fan but it should not slip easily.

 

[Non-farmer]

It was filled just above the core and it heated up.

In your first post you said it was an inch over. Believe it or not, this is a well-known issue with Ns, and that is too full. It used to happen to me. Then I learned to not fill it that full, and it has never happened again.

Bruce's 75 tips

That's an invaluable resource for any N owner. In this case, read tip 24. "Only add enough fluid to cover the core."

PS: But yes, tighten your fan belt too.

 

[gblj]

In your first post you said it was an inch over. Believe it or not, this is a well-known issue with Ns, and that is too full. It used to happen to me. Then I learned to not fill it that full, and it has never happened again.

Bruce's 75 tips

That's an invaluable resource for any N owner. In this case, read tip 24. "Only add enough fluid to cover the core."

PS: But yes, tighten your fan belt too.

Thanks for the 75 tips, I had them before but when I changed phones they didn't transfer over,.

 

[gblj]

I checked the antifreeze yesterday before brushhogging, it was above the core, maybe a inch, after 45 minutes to an hour steam started coming from the radiator cap, I let it cool and checked it, it was about the same as it was before about a inch above the core, I filled it to the top of the cap, finished brushhogging with no problem, anyone got a idea what's going on.
I don't see anywhere it's leaking, the oil looks good not milky,

Thanks to everyone for the help, you gave me some things to check and do.

 

[marloweg]

clean the front of the radiator and then clean it again with air

 

[countryman]

I always mix 50-50 good for -34 below check it with a fluid tester that stuff gets weak the water mix can change state and turn to a vapor.

 

[Tim in New York]

Marloweg may have the answer. When I used to mow with my farm tractor, I had to blow out the radiator screen several times each fall to remove the "chaff" that was causing the engine to get hot. Still an issue with my Kubota, but not as noticeable getting hot.

 

[gblj]

clean the front of the radiator and then clean it again with air

I always blow the tractor off with a leaf blower, this time I used the leaf blower then I used the air compressor on the radiator, lots of junk came out. Thhanks

 

[tractorford]

just get whatevers in stock at the local store, Ed.

 

[Richard G.]

Does anyone think my fan belt is to loose, you can turn the fan by hand and it just slides on the pulley.

Absolutely the belt is to loose.
Easy fix to check.
My 8n boils a bit nearly every time I mow in warm weather.

 

[Ray,IN]

You should find the Ford N shop manual here: https://www.n t r a c t o r club.com/forums/manuals/index.html
Manually type that web address into your browser while removing the spaces. YT doesn't like that address without the spaces.