Dang dang dangit. 4100 foam in radiator.

GreenAcre

Member
Brought a 4100 back from a long rest last
spring. Radiator and water when I changed
it was terrible. Got it going, runs like a
spotted ape, no smoke, no blowby, sounds
like bells ringing when the governor kicks
in... put about 100 hours on it over the
summer, no problems. Loaned it to sister
who worked the dog out of it over the winter
mowing 15' high grass in south texas. Said
she had to keep adding water and that it was
rusty... Knowing what she was doing with it
I told her to add it and keep running it.
Yes I had block treatment and new antifreeze
in it. Just got it back, spent a day
tilling gardens, working it, was full when I
started, couldn't see it when I finished.
Went ahead and drained it and flushed it,
was very rusty. Was scratching my head
while refilling, and noticed it has little
bubbles, like in well water or soda... makes
a little bit of foam on top in the
antifreeze. Does not have oil in the water
or water in the oil. Just bought a square
baler and was making big plans to set my son
up with a summer job with this tractor.
Please tell me I don't have a perforated
block... Thanks ahead.
 
It could be a head gasket.
If it were me I would probably put a new head gasket in it. Gasket is not expensive and not a real big job to change. It's a gamble but given the cost of a bore and sleeve it's one I'd be willing to take.
You could inspect the bores too if you did that.
Might find evidence of perforation that way.
 
Thanks, was hoping you'd chime in. Will do... If that doesn't fix it, am I correct in thinking that unless it starts getting water in the oil it won't hurt to keep running it, sure had high hopes for it. -If it does end up needing a sleeve and rebore, could the 183 be tured into a 201 almost as easily?
 
Probably won't hurt to run iy for a while if you keep water in it. Myself, I'd want to know what was wrong and once I knew would want to fix it.
I think a 183 is 4.2 bore by 4.4 stroke.
So youre not going to get a 201 without a block change as I doubt you can overbore one to get that extra .2"
 
(quoted from post at 07:06:27 04/11/17) It could be a head gasket.
If it were me I would probably put a new head gasket in it. Gasket is not expensive and not a real big job to change. It's a gamble but given the cost of a bore and sleeve it's one I'd be willing to take.
You could inspect the bores too if you did that.
Might find evidence of perforation that way.

Also inspect head for cracks, check for warpage of block and head... becarefull pulling head so you can preserve the head gasket. check the gasket carefully for any signs of leakage between ports.. sometimes the gasket will tell you, sometimes not.

you say 4100.. a '65 to '75 all purpose, or the later derivative..
 
I think it's the latter, and thought it was
a '75. Has 4600 rear end, little wishbone
frontend, and a 183. Oil bath air filter.
 
Probably a head gasket... it happens. I'd pull the head, have it magna-fluxed and install a new gasket. Might not hurt to have the valves gone through and lapped or ground depending on the hours and wear.
I would expect if the block was pinholed you would have water in the oil...

Rod
 

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