radiator test

[andy stockmaster]

is there a way to test a radiator without taking it off the tractor? thanks

 

[old]

Ya fill it with water and if it leaks you have problem if it does not leak your probably good to go. They do also make testers that go in place of the cap but that only works well on pressurized radiator system which most of the older tractors do not have

 

[Anonymous-0]

A bicycle innertube between the inlet and outlet and a rubber plug that you can tighten up with a wingnut. Fill with water and add a few pounds(3-5) of air in the valve stem. Should show a leak or cause one with too much air pressure.

 

[John M]

Ive used my pressure tester on several brands and types of cooling systems, never had a problem with it working right. Only thing I couldnt use it on is say the F series and the like.

 

[andy stockmaster]

well it is on a 656 gas and the other day after running idle in the drive way for maybe 15 min. when i shut it down it was making noise i am not sure if it is full of water probably is a little low since it has boiled over a few times but have not checked it lately.

 

[mike1972chev]

What are we checking for?

Are we checking for leaks,or are we checking for flow?

Is it overheating???? If it is boiling over,but no visible leaks externally,then it probably has some plugged up tubes in it.(A radiator shop would have to "flow check" it.)

 

[Janicholson]

There are two good tests. If it has a pressure cap and it is good, and the radiator does not leak, the integrity of the metal is good.
A thermal Infared sensor (Northern tool or Harbor freight) hand held gun can sense cool spots and plugged up cores in a radiator when the tractor is warmed up.
The tractor should have about 1.5 inches between the water level, and the bottom of the neck of the fill hole.
Over filling is common as this is usual practice in a car with an overflow. These have none!! Jim