Cold running L2501

[Stomper]

I was out playing on my kubota L2501 HST today in -18c weather and I noticed that the engine temp gauge was still in the cold range. I felt the rad hoses and the the one was barely warm and the other was actually cool to the touch. I know this isn't a big engine by no means but is this normal to run this cool in winter. I typicaly only run it in the 1500-1800 rpm range could this be why. What should I be running it at, I'm new to this tractor thing. The pto is running 540rpm when the engine is idling at 2000 rpm.

 

[85Hokie]

I was out playing on my kubota L2501 HST today in -18c weather and I noticed that the engine temp gauge was still in the cold range. I felt the rad hoses and the the one was barely warm and the other was actually cool to the touch. I know this isn't a big engine by no means but is this normal to run this cool in winter. I typicaly only run it in the 1500-1800 rpm range could this be why. What should I be running it at, I'm new to this tractor thing. The pto is running 540rpm when the engine is idling at 2000 rpm.

Diesels do run colder than gas engines, especially in the cold! And that is not a good thing, after warm up - an engine should run (antifreeze and engine oil) about 200 degrees if not a smidge more.

What does the tach point to for 540 pto? I would imagine it is a bit higher than 2k...then again I am not familiar with that engines rpm.

Run it up in the rpm's - work it good, and while doing - use an infrared thermometer (now under 20 bucks) and read multiple places along the radiator route.

Report back your findings.

An engine that runs cool is bad, and a engine that is not worked "hard enough" is bad too.

 

[Dave_eng]

Another suggestion is to hold your hand on the top radiator hose just after starting the engine. There is a temperature controlled valve called a thermostat located where the top radiator hose leaves the engine. It is in the engine.

If it is NOT working correctly you will feel the upper hose gradually warming up and the upper part of the radiator starting to warm up too.

The thermostat should confine the antifreeze liquid to circulating within the engine block until it reaches the thermostat design temperature which is going to be between 180 and 195 F depending upon the machine and area where it is working. A machine working in the tropics faces different issues than one located further north.

After the temp reaches around 130 F, you cannot hold your hand on the hose so this should guide you while waiting for the infrared temp gun suggested by 85Hokie.

Try this test and report back

Dave

 

[tlefire]

1500 rpms is to slow to be running your pto.

On the L2501, 2000 rpms will give you 540 on the pto.

At -18 my a$$ would be sitting by the fireplace

 

[JerryMT]

Unlike a spark ignition engine, a diesel won't warm up very quickly at idle. A gas engine has relatively constant peak gas temperatures so it will warm up at idle. With a diesel You have to put load on it to increase the peak gas temperature in the cylinders. Once you get it started, let the idle speed stabilize so it isn't clattering and clunking. Then put it under some load and it will warm up.

 

[Blondie70]

I think covering the grille with something to make the engine run warmer is a bad idea. The thermostat is supposed to be in control of that. When the engine warms up, you could end up overheating it with the stuff in front stopping air flow.
Good Luck
Pete

 

[Bulldog]

I don't know what the actual temp is but my L3000 runs just barely about the "C" all the time.

 

[Dave_eng]

I've seen big-rig truckers cover up their radiator in winter... anyone every use cardboard to partially cover up a tractor's radiator in super cold weather??

Wise or not?

For the OP, you might want to bump up the RPM's

Volvo cars from the 1970's, P544 was the model I think, had a roller shade, like a windows shade. There was a small chain running into the car. Using the chain, the driver could pull the shade up thus blocking air flow and then gradually lower it down as the engine warmed up. I made one for my Nuffield 465 many years ago. It offered the best of both worlds in that it was adjustable without leaving the drivers seat.

Dave