Adam Sheridan
New User
I am asking for some troubleshooting help on a perplexing Ford 8000 overheat. I was driving the tractor from a distant field yesterday when it began to knock. As I pulled into my farm and let off the throttle, the engine quit. I tried to restart but the starter labored. I assumed two separate problems: clogged injectors and failed cooling system. The engine started up after it cooled off.
I cleaned the injectors and that problem appears to be solved. I took the tractor to another field today after idling for a while to finish the injector cleaning problem. At the field the tractor died as soon as I put it under load and I experienced the same labored starter issue. I came back after lunch and it started right up. In both overheat cases, the radiator did not overflow and both the inlet and outlet hoses were very firm (under pressure).
I just finished flushing the radiator. I noticed the pump is moving a reasonable volume but not at much pressure at about 1400 rpm. I pulled the belt off the pump and it turns freely and seems to move fluid. Thermo is not stuck closed. At this point my questions are: what are the possible failure modes for the centrifugal pump? Can it fail to a low pressure state without a leak? Are there other troubleshooting steps I should try? Why would the radiator not overflow? Thanks for any help you can offer.
I cleaned the injectors and that problem appears to be solved. I took the tractor to another field today after idling for a while to finish the injector cleaning problem. At the field the tractor died as soon as I put it under load and I experienced the same labored starter issue. I came back after lunch and it started right up. In both overheat cases, the radiator did not overflow and both the inlet and outlet hoses were very firm (under pressure).
I just finished flushing the radiator. I noticed the pump is moving a reasonable volume but not at much pressure at about 1400 rpm. I pulled the belt off the pump and it turns freely and seems to move fluid. Thermo is not stuck closed. At this point my questions are: what are the possible failure modes for the centrifugal pump? Can it fail to a low pressure state without a leak? Are there other troubleshooting steps I should try? Why would the radiator not overflow? Thanks for any help you can offer.