Boiled my radiator?

[tallguy104]

So I was mowing our field with my B2301 and it was dry and windy…a lot of grass clippings were getting caught in the radiator as it turned out.

Suddenly engine is running a bit funny and I look down to see the temp gauge is max temp.

I immediately shut off engine and I hear bubbling sounds. Open hood and the radiator overlow tank is literally boiling/bubbling.

I allowed to cool then blew out all grass, cleaned filter and left it overnight to cool fully.

Next day it starts okay and seems to be running fine. I’ve used it about 20 hours since and no obvious issues, but…

Have I likely done some damage to the motor or significantly accelerated the wear on it since I did this??

 

[Vlach7]

After overheating your engine, you don’t wanna make sure you’re radiator fluids full, and it doesn’t hurt to change the oil, if it’s been running normal, you probably did OK

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

If it overheats again your odds of major issues has gone WAY up.

There engines are known to crack heads when they overheat.

Keep an eye on the coolant levels.
If the level keep dropping your at the very least looking at a head gasket.

 

[MapleLeafFarmer]

well... you didn't do it any favours but since you can't go back in time and since all seems to be fine best you can do is keep on keeping on.

If you were thinking of selling or trading it in I might consider making that decision sooner as opposed to later since all seems good today.

I would worry about problems to come a little bit but wouldn't loose too much sleep over it.

Bottom line is who will really know what will happen in the future. You didn't do it any favours but thankfully all seems OK today.

welcome aboard and check your oil and water levels every day and if they change then time to worry.

 

[jyoutz]

I had a small JD tractor that I bought new in 2000. That happened to me the first year I had it because of the mid mount mower throwing dry grass into the radiator. I used that machine for another 21 years before selling it to upgrade to my current Kubota. I never had any issues, but I did jettison the mid mount mower and bought a 3ph rotary cutter. Mid mount mowers are for green lawns, not dry field grass.