nbryan
Well-known member
Equipment
B2650 BH77 LA534 54" ssqa Forks B2782B BB1560 Woods M5-4 MaxxHaul 50039
I have noticed a small loss of coolant i.e. the reservoir level gets a bit lower every once in a while over the 5 years since new. Checked the pressure cap, seemed ok, so let it go until yesterday when the obvious smell of coolant steam made me stop to check it out.
Opening the hood with engine hot I found a steaming film of coolant evaporating from the top area of the rad but the reservoir level and dash temp gauge were good so finished snow blowing and parked in shelter to cool to look further for the leak. it turned out all 4 rad hose clamps needed tightening.
No leak was visible so I grabbed the top rad hose and it easily twisted around on its mount so was no where near tight enough! Then closer inspection showed a green scum buildup around the thermostat housing below the hose clamp too.
I tightened all 4 coolant hose clamps a fair bit. No more coolant loss!
So as a hint for newer tractor owners:
Snug down those rad hose clamps! Mine were factory tightened but were no longer holding rad pressure at operating temps.
Opening the hood with engine hot I found a steaming film of coolant evaporating from the top area of the rad but the reservoir level and dash temp gauge were good so finished snow blowing and parked in shelter to cool to look further for the leak. it turned out all 4 rad hose clamps needed tightening.
No leak was visible so I grabbed the top rad hose and it easily twisted around on its mount so was no where near tight enough! Then closer inspection showed a green scum buildup around the thermostat housing below the hose clamp too.
I tightened all 4 coolant hose clamps a fair bit. No more coolant loss!
So as a hint for newer tractor owners:
Snug down those rad hose clamps! Mine were factory tightened but were no longer holding rad pressure at operating temps.
