G4200 - No Drain From Block

[kajun]

Folks :

I own new-to-me G4200 [ Kubota Z430 engine ] . Changed radiator fluid 6 running hours ago . Nothing would drain from the valve cock on the side of the block . I would like to be sure I have fresh fluid in all of cooling system .

Tractor is not outfitted with temperature gauge . But tractor , SFAICT , doesn’t overheat . [ I worked it really hard in the six hours with no issues since I changed fluid - knee high grass ].

Thoughts for a fix to valve cock ?

 

[SidecarFlip]

Remove it and insure it's not blocked with crud. You did remove the Rad cap when you opened it didn't you? Prior to removal, you might want to soak it with PBlasster or acetone and ATF for a day or 2 to break any corrosion that may have formed over the years.

 

[kajun]

Thanks SCF .

Yes to removing radiator cap ; based on amount of fluid that came out of radiator outlet [ not valve cock ] nothing drained from block .

Thanks for suggestion re crud . Will try that .

Deeply obliged .

 

[Roadworthy]

You could try opening the petcock and pushing a wire or piece of weed whacker line through to see if you feel anything in there. That may be enough to get it going.

 

[SidecarFlip]

Good idea.

 

[kajun]

You could try opening the petcock and pushing a wire or piece of weed whacker line through to see if you feel anything in there. That may be enough to get it going.

 

[kajun]

Thanks Roadworthy and SCF . I tried that before I posted . Neither wire nor small ice pick would go in . Old radiator fluid looked brand new both at cap and when I drained it at radiator bung . Hence I thought likelihood of crud blocking Valve cock was not great . Anyway , I’m dousing the bung-to-block-insertion point with PB Blaster . We’ll see what is issue once I get it backed off .

Just finished three hours mowing . Amazing little machine and engine .

 

[Dave_eng]

Thanks Roadworthy and SCF . I tried that before I posted . Neither wire nor small ice pick would go in . Old radiator fluid looked brand new both at cap and when I drained it at radiator bung . Hence I thought likelihood of crud blocking Valve cock was not great . Anyway , I’m dousing the bung-to-block-insertion point with PB Blaster . We’ll see what is issue once I get it backed off .

Just finished three hours mowing . Amazing little machine and engine .

If you have access to compressed air try blowing it into the petcock, rad cap off and the air pressure reduced to around 15-20 psi.

Leave the rad cap on or use too high an air pressure and it is goodbye rad at the least.

The block of sediment and crud may be such that the thin wire or plastic is not dislodging the crud enough to let fluid flow out.

Dave

 

[SidecarFlip]

If you have access to compressed air try blowing it into the petcock, rad cap off and the air pressure reduced to around 15-20 psi.

Leave the rad cap on or use too high an air pressure and it is goodbye rad at the least.

The block of sediment and crud may be such that the thin wire or plastic is not dislodging the crud enough to let fluid flow out.

Dave

.............sort of like an old nasty blood clot...........

 

[kajun]

Thx , Dave . Picture of whole assembly at Messick’s shows outlet hole diameter is pretty small so in retrospect easy To see how it might “ clot “ up .

 

[D2Cat]

Why not save the grief of damaging the drain valve or the lower radiator tank, and just remove the lower radiator hose to flush?

 

[Henro]

Why not save the grief of damaging the drain valve or the lower radiator tank, and just remove the lower radiator hose to flush?

I would be inclined to follow this advice, or to even do nothing at this point, since you obviously do not have a problem and could cause yourself one.

Next time do what D2Cat suggests. This is my practical side speaking, rather than the idealistic side...

 

[kajun]

Thx D2Cat and Henro. Sounds like a plan . My M4700 drains block that way .

Too bad the Unit does not have temp guage and it’s way above my pay grade to install one .


All of you guys are the best .

 

[SidecarFlip]

I would be inclined to follow this advice, or to even do nothing at this point, since you obviously do not have a problem and could cause yourself one.

Next time do what D2Cat suggests. This is my practical side speaking, rather than the idealistic side...

On both my M9's that is sop anyway. Not about to fiddle with the flimsy plastic prone to breakage rad drain plug.

 

[kajun]

Then remove lower radiator hose it is ! I couldn't resist trying to back off outlet and wrench slipped a little. I could tell the fitting was delicate.

Obliged to all .

 

[D2Cat]

Kajun, you're welcome. "Learn from the mistakes of others---you can never live long enough to make them all yourself."

It's called experience. You know what experience is? Something that is happening to you that you wish to God was happening to someone else!!