BX2230 Engine Operating Temperature, Temp Gauge Indication

[dandeman]

Ever since I've had my (bought new) BX2230 (with the D902-E2-BX 22hp engine) it has always operated with the temp gauge at roughly a less than 1/4 scale indication and rarely goes above that point..

I assumed that was normal (although somewhat surprised) that the instrument gauge would not be calibrated to give a more mid scale indication.

I decided to check the engine operating temp by making IR measurements right at the thermostat housing/upper water hose area..

After checking the WSM (and first seeing the D722 engine specs) my initial reaction was that the engine is running cold, until I noticed the the engine manual covers the BX1830 engine D722-E2-BX and also the BX2230 engine (D902-E2-BX).

The 1830 engine is designed to operate with a 180 deg thermostat (opening between 176.9 to 182.3) while the 2230 engine is a 160 deg thermostat (opening between 157.1 to 162.5 deg). The measured IR temps on my 2230 match up pretty well with the 160 deg thermostat opening points so I guess all is well...

I wonder if Kubota just used the same thermostat sensor and gauge between the 1830 and 2230, meaning the gauge will alway show low temps on the 2230..

BX2230 owners, where does your temp gauge register once the engine is up to operating temperature?

Any comments in general?

 

[85Hokie]

Ever since I've had my (bought new) BX2230 (with the D902-E2-BX 22hp engine) it has always operated with the temp gauge at roughly a less than 1/4 scale indication and rarely goes above that point..

I assumed that was normal (although somewhat surprised) that the instrument gauge would not be calibrated to give a more mid scale indication.

I decided to check the engine operating temp by making IR measurements right at the thermostat housing/upper water hose area..

After checking the WSM (and first seeing the D722 engine specs) my initial reaction was that the engine is running cold, until I noticed the the engine manual covers the BX1830 engine D722-E2-BX and also the BX2230 engine (D902-E2-BX).

The 1830 engine is designed to operate with a 180 deg thermostat (opening between 176.9 to 182.3) while the 2230 engine is a 160 deg thermostat (opening between 157.1 to 162.5 deg). The measured IR temps on my 2230 match up pretty well with the 160 deg thermostat opening points so I guess all is well...

I wonder if Kubota just used the same thermostat sensor and gauge between the 1830 and 2230, meaning the gauge will alway show low temps on the 2230..

BX2230 owners, where does your temp gauge register once the engine is up to operating temperature?

Any comments in general?

I have the same engine in my BX - On the digital scale it always reads two bars......one time in very muggy hot weather it got to 3 bars, I stopped the engine and checked everything out and it was just hot outside is all.....but I have no idea what the true temperature was on the machine. I my B7100 I am installing a gauge just to keep an eye on the temps.

 

[Toyboy]

Mines like yours, always on the low side. I replaced the thermostat thinking that was the problem, but it's still the same. Never gets above 1/4 on gauge. I've been wondering if the sending unit was bad?
I checked mine with an IR gun and if I recall, it was reading in the 170's I think. I'll have to check it again after I've run it for awhile.

 

[dandeman]

Mines like yours, always on the low side. I replaced the thermostat thinking that was the problem, but it's still the same. Never gets above 1/4 on gauge. I've been wondering if the sending unit was bad?
I checked mine with an IR gun and if I recall, it was reading in the 170's I think. I'll have to check it again after I've run it for awhile.

Thanks for the feedback.. I'm now confident it's running per spec after the IR measurements and, that others see the same gauge lower scale indication the same as mine..

I've seen engines nearly ruined from running cold (sludge), so not anything to fool around with...