Hey Guys I was brush hogging my front field nothing to strenuous when I heard a loud Pop. And then Fluid everywhere when I shut down and had a look I have the top tank completely blown off? I thought it was just a hose.. The unit only has 1200 hours on it and never been worked hard at all.. Does this sound like a Head gasket? Or maybe just a bad rad cap. Unit ran fine all the time temps barely getting close to center of Heat gauge? If it is a head gasket why would the Rad cap not relieve the pressure? I need some help.. Thanks. How big of job to change a head gasket on a L48?
L48
- Thread starter coptordoctor
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North Idaho Wolfman
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L3450DT-GST, Woods FEL, B7100 HSD, FEL, 60" SB, 743 Bobcat with V2203, and more
Am I reading this correctly, you popped the top of the radiator off?
That's an odd one to have happen!
I'm thinking you probably had a bad cap and/or a plugged overflow.
Now as to why it built up that much pressure, plugged radiator core (inside or out) can do that, bad water pump, blown head gasket, and a multitude of other things.
Your going to need to get the radiator replaced or repaired to know where to go next.
Also check the oil for water, it will require you to drain it and look for water, if you do have water in the oil then you have a problem!
That's an odd one to have happen!
I'm thinking you probably had a bad cap and/or a plugged overflow.
Now as to why it built up that much pressure, plugged radiator core (inside or out) can do that, bad water pump, blown head gasket, and a multitude of other things.
Your going to need to get the radiator replaced or repaired to know where to go next.
Also check the oil for water, it will require you to drain it and look for water, if you do have water in the oil then you have a problem!
Well I purchased a new rad at an unbelievable price of $425. I filled the rad up and left a funnel in the top with fluid in it as soon as I started the tractor the water blew bubbles big time. No water in the oil which was good.
Sad thing is it runs great.
I ordered a gasket kit and now to pull the head.. Can't believe it with only 1200 hours on it. I have run the tractor since 600 hours on it and never a problem never been even close to hot. You have to work it really hard to get the temp gauge to half scale.. Will let you know what I find. Still can't believe that the Rad cap would not relieve Pressure but the amount of Bubbles must have happened faster than the cap could react..
Sad thing is it runs great.
I ordered a gasket kit and now to pull the head.. Can't believe it with only 1200 hours on it. I have run the tractor since 600 hours on it and never a problem never been even close to hot. You have to work it really hard to get the temp gauge to half scale.. Will let you know what I find. Still can't believe that the Rad cap would not relieve Pressure but the amount of Bubbles must have happened faster than the cap could react..
If your gasket blew in such a way as to dump exhaust or compression right into the water jacket, I'm unaware of a radiator cap built that could vent that kind of gas build up.
Just a head gasket is usually a day long job and not too bad, but odd that it blew like that. Double check where it blew on both the block and the head side of things to make sure there isn't something mis-manufactured there. The tolerances should be equal to the rest of the block/head. I'd do a scrape test to make sure one or the other doesn't have a low spot right there.
If either or both have a low spot, warranty repair it if you can.
Just a head gasket is usually a day long job and not too bad, but odd that it blew like that. Double check where it blew on both the block and the head side of things to make sure there isn't something mis-manufactured there. The tolerances should be equal to the rest of the block/head. I'd do a scrape test to make sure one or the other doesn't have a low spot right there.
If either or both have a low spot, warranty repair it if you can.
North Idaho Wolfman
Moderator
Staff member
Lifetime Member
Equipment
L3450DT-GST, Woods FEL, B7100 HSD, FEL, 60" SB, 743 Bobcat with V2203, and more
Well Guys for sure it was a head gasket. Hard to imagine I have run this tractor for 5 years and never has it even come close to the mid range on the temp gauge.
I pulled the head and for sure it was blown.
I sent the head out to get checked for Straightness and it was warped bad. had it machined new Gasket associated other o-rings and such. New Rad running like new. still amazed it blew the top completely off the rad.. Oh well..
I pulled the head and for sure it was blown.
I sent the head out to get checked for Straightness and it was warped bad. had it machined new Gasket associated other o-rings and such. New Rad running like new. still amazed it blew the top completely off the rad.. Oh well..