Cooling System Capacity

[Kick]

Did some cooling system repairs on my 4630. Had the radiator re-cored, rebuilt the water pump, changed thermostats and hoses, etc. Completely drained block. Filled system with new coolant. The book says coolant capacity with heater is 38 quarts. I can only get 32 quarts in it. This sounds crazy, but is it possible I have air in the system somewhere? Also, when I warmed it up and ran it under load, it blew out coolant from the overflow hose. The temp gauge never showed it got close to being hot. I originally filled it completely full to the top of the neck. After it cooled down, the level is about an inch over the baffle in the radiator. I lost quite a bit of coolant through the overflow, which leads me to believe I'm 6-8 quarts low on coolant according to the manual?!? Am I missing something? I can't remember any special procedures for a coolant change? Hmmm...

 

[Bob]

"Also, when I warmed it up and ran it under load, it blew out coolant from the overflow hose."

Typically, that translates into a blown head gasket or cracked head.

Or, if any coolant in the "basement" POSSIBLY a perforated sleeve.

 

[Kick]

The motor was just overhauled in frame less than 200 hours ago by the local shop here, with a reman cylinder head put on it. No coolant in oil is apparent. I used it this spring to plant 250 acres of beans with no problems! Any other tests I can do to troubleshoot? It sounds odd because I think there's not enough coolant in it, but maybe it was just too full? That's why it blew it out the overflow? I didn't see any bubbles in the radiator when it was running...

 

[Kick]

I should clarify that I only lost a quart??? through the overflow. I was meaning that I'm 6-8 quarts low, cause I never got the system filled to the spec to begin with.

 

[Tx Jim]

I think especially if heat control valve is in off position it would be difficult for all coolant to drain out of heater core & hoses from a simple coolant draining process.

 

[Kick]

I did have the heat control valve open when I drained it. Does anyone know how full the radiator should be over the baffle when cold? I only have a service manual for a 4230. It states coolant should be about 1 1/2 inches above the baffle, which is about where I am. Also, when it was purging the coolant through the overflow, I brought it up to operating temp, and then put it in 8th gear while braking to apply a load. Probably not the best idea, but I couldn't think of any other way of pulling down the engine without driving the tractor 3 miles to hook up to a piece of equipment. What Bob said about the head/gasket kinda has me worried!!

 

[matthies]

If you think you have an air pocket in you engine, just remove the temp sender from the back of the head. Preferably cold and just slowly unscrew won't need to take it completely out just loosen enough to see coolant around the threads, this will remove an air from the back of the engine. Should be a single wire sender between valve cover and front of cab, step side. 15/16 socket.

 

[David G]

I think you just overfilled it, if it maintains that level, then do not worry.