M2 w/301 Overheating

Not sure what's going on. Ran the M2 in wheat last Thursday and all went well. Temp stayed in the green, no problems. I get to the field Friday and as I'm about 2/3 of the way done opening it up, I see the temp needle has gotten close to the red. Soon after, it got to the thin white line between green & red, so I drove back to the house, let it cool off, and washed out the radiator. Checked the radiator and it was low, so I filled it up. Went back to field and ran about 2 hrs - same thing. Let it cool while I moved the truck & wagon and it was low again. Filled it back up and finished. Couldn't see any visible leaks. Filled radiator Sat. w/antifreeze & water and 1 bottle of Bars and shortly after I got it to the field, it was getting hot - didn't get 2 hrs of cool running this time. Haven't seen any water around the pump or any noticeable radiator/hose leaks. Any thoughts? Have I forgotten something simple?
 
Are your belts tight. I mean really tight. New belts might help. Maybe radiator needs vleaning. Ours needed new pulley and took radiator to town. Runs cool again.
 
My brother had that issue with his M2, it was the pulley spinning on the hub under load. The rubber had broken loose. They are very expensive, he sent his to a guy in WA state? that did it with a lifetime warranty for around $300. Did a very nice job. He was having the same issues as you are.

Ross
 
Thanks. You meaning the rubber on which pulley - harmonic balancer or water pump? Water pump even have that kind of setup? I have to check mine out and see what I'm dealing with. Thanks again.
 
I would start by cracking open your oil pan drain and see what drips out the bottom...antifreeze or oil. Could be you have a sleeve o-ring leaking coolant or cavitation has eroded a hole through a cylinder sleeve and the engine is burning coolant. Also could have a slight head gasket leak burning coolant and would be no outward sign of leakage. Mike
 
Had the same problems with my JD swather. Went to tighten the belt on the fan and noticed the alternator was all the way out. The belt seemed tight, but I put a new belt on and it cured my problems. Might be worth a check anyway - Bob
 
I'd start by carefully looking at the belt. I've had new looking belts which had a missing spot which caused it to get hung up as it was going around a pulley, turning but barely. Pulley bearings can get hot and slow down before failing. Make sure the things that should turn freely are actually turning freely.
 
First thing I checked (after confirming belts were tight) was the thermostat. Took it out and ran it for an hour last night. Stayed in the green. Thanks, all.
 
You need that harmonic balancer, if its the rubber kind the rubber gets old and dry and some comes out, or if it's the gelled filled kind the gel gets old and turn to a solid, and also will break the crankshaft.
 

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