Thermosiphon system

[Anonymous-0]

Hi,I am looking for info on the thermosiphon system of a 1941 John Deere L A . When it runs for awhile such as a parade it smells hot, (water,and antifreese smell) The oil pressure comes way down, almost to the red line.While checking the radiator water, it isn't boiling. I was wondering if the system can be plugged,cuasing the engine to over heat, and the radiator water is as normal. No temp gage is with this tractor. Thank you Les Warner

 

[Janicholson]

The primary cause of thermo siphon system grief is a plugged radiator.
Drain the system and remove the bottom connection to the radiator, and tape up/plug the top engine connection. Pour in hot water at the cap.(assumes it is indoors, or in moderate climate, not freezing). If just a trickle comes out, the radiator is plugged.
it should take water faster than it can be poured in.
If not, the radiator needs to be cleaned ( I recommend a radiator shop, but some flushing products might work if back flushed, (in the bottom, out the top. JimN

 

[Bob]

If it's not boiling/steaming, it's NOT overheating!

 

[Anonymous-0]

Thank you for the info. I will start working on the tractor, when time allows, summer parade time will soon be here. Les Warner

 

[Anonymous-0]

Your block probably has lots of crud lefy from yrs of use. I would drain it and fill with vinegar and let set for maybe a week then back flush. Why dont you add a guage then you can be sure of the temp.

 

[dave guest]

Try heavy oil. Cures a lotta stuff.

 

[RayP(MI)]

Did you happen to put antifreeze in and then top off with water? If so, drain collant, mix well and put back in. If you don"t mix antifreeze and water prior to installing it will fail to circulate properly.

 

[rustyj]

Henry Ford used the thermo-siphon system in the early Model T Ford cars and trucks. Later on, after-market stores sold a water pump that the owner could install in place of the block side goose-neck, and there was a pulley and belt furnished with the pump kit. Seems those old T's would heat up on long mountain roads, and the water pump helped the water stay cooler.

 

[Anonymous-0]

Thanks for all of the help about the L A. A plugged cooling system could be the easy way out. Maybe that is just wishful thinking though. I have my work cut out when the weather get's better. Les warner

 

[Bob Kerr]

One way to check it is let it run a while and feel the lower pipe vs the upper pipe. The upper should be hot and the lower should be cold. You can also feel down the fins and see where it is cooling off at. The top pipe must be under water for the system to work. If you think it is plugged up, get a barrel under a downspout and collect rain water. Use that water and nothing more and give it as many changes as it takes to get clean water to come out after a days running. It will dissolve the lime and not corrode the brass in the rad. It is ammazing how well it works! The water in my H Farmall came out cloudy with lime for about 5 changes till it cleared up. When it clears up use ditilled water and antifreeze only. Run the engine a while with the cap off to let any dissovled oxygen from the water escape, and you will be good to go.