Overheating ? (FE35)

[Scottnumurkah]

Hi guys,

Im an idiot.

I was slashing my paddock. Just as i finished the 2 and a half
hour job, i noticed smoke coming from the engine (4 cyl petrol).
I quickly drove the tractor back in the shed, and noticed that
there was some oil coming from one of engine seals (gasket),
which probably explains the smoke. She was bloudy hot. I took
the front grill off and as i was mowing down old dead oats, oats
completely covered my grill in front of the radiator. I am
guessing that she overheated as no air was getting through to
the fan to cool the engine.

I started it up after it cooled down (and after cleaning the grill
completely) and it appears to be running fine after letting it run
for around 10 mins, no more sign of oil leaking.

What should i do guys.

Any help would be appreciated.

Cheers
Scott

 

[Masseynut(Australia)]

If the damage is done, it's done. But many times, an engine can get very hot and still "survive" the ordeal.
Keep an eye on the radiator. Check before you use the tractor each time. Keep an eye out for any excess water coming from the spill pipe.
Check for oil usage. Piston rings that have been very hot, lose tension, and oil consumption will occur. If the engine starts using copious amounts of oil, or starts to blow "blue" smoke from the exhaust, it's probably unwell.
Check for loss of power, associated with "crankcase compression" in the sump. Once the engine is warmed up, remove the dipstick. If visible amounts of oil are spattered back at you, again, the piston rings may be the culprit.
Most of all, don't give up on her yet. These are very "forgiving" engines, and can handle quite a deal more abuse, than their newer cousins.
Let us know how you get on,
Evan.

 

[Bill Brox]

(quoted from post at 04:01:28 12/02/11) Hi guys,

Im an idiot.

I was slashing my paddock. Just as i finished the 2 and a half
hour job, i noticed smoke coming from the engine (4 cyl petrol).
I quickly drove the tractor back in the shed, and noticed that
there was some oil coming from one of engine seals (gasket),
which probably explains the smoke. She was bloudy hot. I took
the front grill off and as i was mowing down old dead oats, oats
completely covered my grill in front of the radiator. I am
guessing that she overheated as no air was getting through to
the fan to cool the engine.

I started it up after it cooled down (and after cleaning the grill
completely) and it appears to be running fine after letting it run
for around 10 mins, no more sign of oil leaking.

What should i do guys.

Any help would be appreciated.

Cheers
Scott

Hi Scott, no, you are not an idiot... such things happens to anyone sooner or later. Only the dead ones or not born ones does no mistakes.

What gasket were leaking oil ? That is what I am a bit curious about.


Bill

 

[Scottnumurkah]

Bill,

It was the head gasket i guess.

The first gasket from the top of the motor, halfway down on the left side. Just above where you top up the oil.

Didnt leak again after i let it cool down. I might start her up again tomorrow and let her run for 15 mins and see what happens.

Cheers

 

[Bill Brox]

(quoted from post at 04:54:04 12/02/11) Bill,

It was the head gasket i guess.

The first gasket from the top of the motor, halfway down on the left side. Just above where you top up the oil.

Didnt leak again after i let it cool down. I might start her up again tomorrow and let her run for 15 mins and see what happens.

Cheers

Ok, but then you know for later, to look for oil in the water, or water in the oil (sump), or white smoke from the "tail pipe"...

Bill

 

[Scottnumurkah]

All appears to be well.

There was bugger all water in the radiator as expected. I filled
her right up, put some fly wire screen over the front grill and
slashed a paddock for half an hour. No more sign of leakage or
smoke. The fly wire screen did wonders for keeping anything
from getting into the radiator.

Fingers crossed shes ok.

Thanks for your help.

 

[Scottnumurkah]

Couple of quick questions.

I have an oil pressure guage on the 35, but it has stopped working. Was fine a couple of months ago. Any ideas why it it would stop working or anything i can check?.

Another quick question. It looks like my 35 has only ever had water in it and not coolant. Would it be wise to flush out the radiator and put in normal car coolant?. Excuse my lack of knowledge with these old tractors.

Cheers
Scott