L2650 overheating

[mickey harmon]

This has been an issue for me since I purchased an l2650, new in 1991. The tractor seems to run hot under what I would consider a little bit of a heavy load ,cutting grass a little taller than normal,with grooming mower, or brush hog. It is my understanding that the L2650 runs in reverse so that air is pulled across the motor and then thru the radiator. I was just wondering if this is just a bad design on Kubota or am I just expecting too much from an L2650.

 

[mattwithcats]

Putting a larger oil filter on may help.

You have an HH164-32430 oil filter, try Wix 51515, 51515XP, or even larger 51773.

Look on RockAuto for good prices...

What oil viscosity are you running?

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

This has been an issue for me since I purchased an l2650, new in 1991. The tractor seems to run hot under what I would consider a little bit of a heavy load ,cutting grass a little taller than normal,with grooming mower, or brush hog. It is my understanding that the L2650 runs in reverse so that air is pulled across the motor and then thru the radiator. I was just wondering if this is just a bad design on Kubota or am I just expecting too much from an L2650.

How hot?
And how have you measured it?
Does it burp into the overflow?

 

[rbargeron]

This has been an issue for me since I purchased an l2650, new in 1991. The tractor seems to run hot under what I would consider a little bit of a heavy load ,cutting grass a little taller than normal,with grooming mower, or brush hog. It is my understanding that the L2650 runs in reverse so that air is pulled across the motor and then thru the radiator. I was just wondering if this is just a bad design on Kubota or am I just expecting too much from an L2650.

Kubota has used forward air flow some models and rearward on others. There shouldn't be much difference in performance if the thermostat is working ok and the screen/debris net isn't plugged. In the old days some tractors had reversible blades for summer/winter operator comfort. Air flow direction was a customer option on Caterpillar.

 

[mickey harmon]

I just watch the temp gauge, and it has red lined in the past but I don't let it go that far now. I let it cool off. I use the specified oil 10 w 30 I think. and I clean screen and radiator after each use. using a different size oil filter sound interesting. I even have thought of an oil cooler but haven't seen one.

 

[mattwithcats]

Try Shell Rotella T6 in either 5W-40 or it's hard to find little brother, 0W-40...

Advanced Auto can order the 0W-40...

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

I just watch the temp gauge, and it has red lined in the past but I don't let it go that far now. I let it cool off. I use the specified oil 10 w 30 I think. and I clean screen and radiator after each use. using a different size oil filter sound interesting. I even have thought of an oil cooler but haven't seen one.

You need to get a separate physical measurement on it, as it could just be lying to ya.
Top and bottom of radiator is good measurement locations to get and idea what is really going on, using a laser temp gauge.

 

[mickey harmon]

It could be lying a little, but when you can hear it boiling, I think its hot. Other than the over heating, its been a great tractor. I just can't let my pasture go an extra week or two. It's only 10 acres, so I just have to stay on top of it. I was wondering if I should put some kind of in line temp gauge on it.

 

[rbargeron]

Letting it boil isn't doing the engine any favors. A temp sensing tool like these is under $10 - a lot cheaper than a head gasket and/or warped head.

Is the thermostat still in it? Try running without it. It only takes a few minutes to take it out - located where the top radiator hose connects to the engine. Unbolt the 110 cover (see attachment), take out the thermostat 140 and put the cover back on without it.

Assuming it will now run cooler, put the thermostat in a saucepan of water and bring it to a boil - see if it opens. If it doesn't a new one is around $17.

 

[man00]

I remember reading dozens of I think my bike is running hot in the motorcycle forums. The question was always ask if the bike puking antifreeze? 99.9% of the time the answer was no...In that case it was determine the fix was black tape.
Out black tape over the gauge and that seem to fix most issues. Not saying that is your problem

 

[mattwithcats]

Have you changed the antifreeze recently?

I would flush/fill with Zerex G-05 every ten years...

 

[lugbolt]

If it's boiling, either it's REALLY hot (like 260+)--assuming 50/50 mix of green antifreeze and distilled water, OR it could be that the system is not holding pressure, which will affect the boiling point. That could be a pressure cap not working correctly or the top of the radiator not sealing against the pressure cap, or obviously a leak somewhere causing pressure loss.

 

[Pau7220]

Have you changed the antifreeze recently?

I would flush/fill with Zerex G-05 every ten years...

That's too old of a machine for HOAT coolant (Zerex G-05).
As lugbolt said, regular, green, ethelyene-glycol, 50/50 coolant.
https://www.valvoline.com/our-products/antifreeze-products/zerex-original-green-antifreeze