BX2200 won't go to operating temp

[arml]

Will only reach about 1/8th on gauge. Rad is full, pump is spinning....engine sounds a bit louder than norm. it's 52 out here so it should rise I would think, been using it for the better part of 2 hours. Any thoughts ?

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Gauge could be fibbing to you, use a thermo gun to see where it's at and get a temp.

 

[arml]

Gauge could be fibbing to you, use a thermo gun to see where it's at and get a temp.

Yea, should of thought about that, I'll fire it up and check that. On the rad I presume.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

rad, both rad hoses, block in several places......especially where the temp sensor is of course...

 

[arml]

OK, out here in the shed, temp dropped outside to 38 now...fired the tractor, been running mid speed for 25 min....engine sounds normal, rad temp @ 138...exhaust manifold @ 156....engine at valve cover 128. gauge shows @ 1/8 with a bounce like thermostat is opening and suddenly closing.....I don't know what to think about this....never did this to me before. I'm going to the house, have a tea and going to bed . Too old to have these worries.

 

[MapleLeafFarmer]

OK, out here in the shed, temp dropped outside to 38 now...fired the tractor, been running mid speed for 25 min....engine sounds normal, rad temp @ 138...exhaust manifold @ 156....engine at valve cover 128. gauge shows @ 1/8 with a bounce like thermostat is opening and suddenly closing.....I don't know what to think about this....never did this to me before. I'm going to the house, have a tea and going to bed . Too old to have these worries.

when you said warmed up mid speed for 25 min. was this just sitting or was it under load (making some work)??

 

[GreensvilleJay]

simple test.
remove wire from sensor and ground it
what does gauge now read ?

read both upper and lower rad hoses. they should be different !

 

[85Hokie]

As everyone has mentioned - you need to run it UNDER load, yeah cutting grass may not be possible, but you need to LOAD the engine!

Then take readings - top of radiator at top hose, bottom of radiator as hose and report back numbers.

IF your engine is not getting to 200 F under a 20-30 minute workout - something is wrong!

Many say the infrared gun is not accurate - even at 10 degrees off, that is good enough - and most are off only 1 or 2 degrees!

 

[BX'r]

Will only reach about 1/8th on gauge. Rad is full, pump is spinning....engine sounds a bit louder than norm. it's 52 out here so it should rise I would think, been using it for the better part of 2 hours. Any thoughts ?

My bx2370 is the same.
When I replaced the coolant there must have been air in the system because the temperature reading bumped way up.
Added the required coolant and it's reading low temperature again.
I think it's normal.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

FWIW according to 'google et al.... the thermostat is 71*C aka 160*F.
You may want to block off a portion of the rad to get engine temp up to 'normal'.

 

[Henro]

Easy enough to block off the radiator on the BX2200. Remove the screen and slip in a piece of aluminum flashing (cardboard would work too, but if it ripped taking it back out you would spend some time fishing maybe).

Be careful NOT to overheat the engine. You certainly want to be there watching what is going on. Don't want to overheat and crack the head while you are looking for that beer you set down somewhere! LOL

 

[arml]

Thanks gentlemen for all the replies and, suggestions. I'm going to take a break for now, to cold to do anything anyway...I'll let you know how I make out. Henro...I don't drink beer...I'm a Bourbon man. LOL

 

[armylifer]

It sounds like a faulty thermostat to me. A bad thermostat that does not close fully will cause the symptom you describe.

 

[RCW]

It sounds like a faulty thermostat to me. A bad thermostat that does not close fully will cause the symptom you describe.

I agree 100%, but put the tractor under load and see where things go. Double check it with a laser thermometer.

I've had some wonky things go on with the electrical connection at the temperature sending unit.

Tractor gauge said it was HOT after only running 5 minutes or so. Thought it was a bad thermostat (closed), but it wasn't even warm yet. Even the block was only 130 degrees or so.

A couple minutes of cleaning the connection and a little dielectric grease often fixes my issue.

 

[arml]

OK, got out yesterday....moving lots of logs and, such....worked that little mule like a Clydesdale.. 4 hours... gauge is still sitting on 1/8 to a minuscule 1/4 ....all the coolant is topped, engine sounds fine, couple times it got louder but, not alarming.
I can't figure this , maybe I will check the connector to the gauge...can't hurt. I parked it for today, wind and rain here, pretty ugly....just noticed that my front right axle is leaking....oh give me strength, I'm tired, worn out and, old. More worries.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

my test in post #7, will quickly show if gauge is bad.

2nd test, get 100r rheostat to replace sensor.
11r = 120*C
18r = 100*C
32r = 80*C
81r = 50*C

seems same sensor used in BX23S(according to several suppliers...), my numbers are from the BX23S WSM

 

[arml]

my test in post #7, will quickly show if gauge is bad.

2nd test, get 100r rheostat to replace sensor.
11r = 120*C
18r = 100*C
32r = 80*C
81r = 50*C

seems same sensor used in BX23S(according to several suppliers...), my numbers are from the BX23S WSM

I have no clue what you are telling me, now I was a radio operator in Vietnam, repaired many radios in the field, called in some air strikes....but never had to fix a tractor in the field. All in all....thanks for the tip....can't say I'll be able to follow that. Not my forte....

 

[Henro]

Bottom line is you need to do some testing and evaluate the results. You already did one test, worked the tractor hard and the temperature indication did not change. Did the engine water temperature change? Sounds like you don't know.

You can simulate working the engine hard by blocking air flow through the radiator. But if you do this how will you measure the result? Hand on the radiator as time goes by, maybe. Thermal measurement device, better.

You could also remove the thermostat from the tractor, and put it in a pan of water on the stove and measure the water temperature as the water is heated and watch the thermostat and see if it opens. I have done this in the past and it works.

BUT you need to do something that gives you a pointer as to which direction you should go...

 

[RCW]

While it’s hindsight, would have been great if @arml checked some temperatures of radiator hoses, block, etc., with a laser thermometer at the end of the work session.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

OK
very simple test

1) disconnect temperature sensor wire
2) get tractor up and running, work it until you feel it should be 'normal'
3) turn off engine
4) connect ohmmeter to sensor and ground
5) record the value (should be between 10 to 100 ohms
6) post what you wrote down.