tractor radiator leak

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MattSillinois

Member

• Dec 27, 2011

• #1

On my 706 Gas tractor I have a small leak towards the top of the radiator. Is that radiator stop leak stuff ok for a fix or should I pull it out and have it repaired? Pros and cons of each is appreciated.

Matt

 

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thurlow

Well-known Member

• Dec 27, 2011

• #1

If it's a working tractor, I'd get it fixed; otherwise............ otherwise. I assume it's not or you wouldn't be asking a bunch of crackpot strangers for advice. :>)

 

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rustyfarmall

Well-known Member

• Dec 27, 2011

• #1

(quoted from post at 07:55:03 12/27/11) On my 706 Gas tractor I have a small leak towards the top of the radiator. Is that radiator stop leak stuff ok for a fix or should I pull it out and have it repaired? Pros and cons of each is appreciated.

Matt

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Silver Seal is inexpensive enough that it is definitely worth trying. I've had very good results with it myself.

 

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gene bender

Well-known Member

• Dec 27, 2011

• #1

good answer

 

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641Dave

Member

• Dec 27, 2011

• #1

Pros for pulling it off is it's done right and you get a paint job to boot. Con, cost.

I think mine was around the $125 mark to have two or three cores repaired, pressure tested and cleaned out and painted.

I'm not a big fan of leak additives.

 

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rrlund

Well-known Member

• Dec 27, 2011

• #1

I'd pull it and have it patched if you can do without it for a few days. Using anything to seal it from the inside plugs the core and you'll start running hot. Trust me on this one. Voice of experience.

 

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641Dave

Member

• Dec 27, 2011

• #1

Here's a pic of what I think is bars-leak that accumulated in the thermostat housing in my old jeep.

 

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caterpillar guy

Well-known Member

• Dec 27, 2011

• #1

If it is not a big hole a box of pepper ,yes pepper will seal it up with no core plugging. I have done this several times. Now it would really be best to pull it and have it fixed right. The pepper would get you to a warmer time frame if that is the issue.

 

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mkirsch

Well-known Member

• Dec 27, 2011

• #1

The hard part is finding a GOOD radiator shop.

Most shops these days will tell you that radiator is a lost cause, even with such a minor leak. They will sell you a new radiator, or nothing at all.

 

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rustyfarmall

Well-known Member

• Dec 27, 2011

• #1

(quoted from post at 08:34:39 12/27/11) good answer

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Silver seal is about $3 per container, and it'll probably take 4 containers for that 706, so $12 compared to about $500 to $600 for a new radiator.

 

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oldtanker

Well-known Member

• Dec 27, 2011

• #1

If you try some kind of stop leak only one try! Most of the problems you see with it plugging a system is repeated applications. Problem with used stuff is you have no idea how many times it was done before.

I know how to fix a radiator so for me it's no problem, I pull it and fix it. If it's a worker and not a shower I'd lean toward doing it right the first time.

Rick

 

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buickanddeere

Well-known Member

• Dec 27, 2011

• #1

"Pour int the rad" fixes are for emergencies just to get you home. Or to get the crops in or off.
Only solution is to pull the rad and repair/replace.
Odds are the old rad is rotten due to oxygen entering through the cap and depleting the coolant's corrosion inhibitor.

 

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Jonak

Member

• Dec 27, 2011

• #1

Mine is a 1964 model. One year ago had the radiator off to replace water pump. It had a small leak at the throat. Took it to shop for fix. Got fixed, painted and pressure tested --$60.00, and He gave me a pocket knife. Very Happy with results!!

 

super99

Well-known Member

• Dec 27, 2011

• #1

My John Deere 70 was leaking water faster than I could pour it in. I put some pepper in it and it stopped immediately! Ran it the rest of the year and then drained for the winter. Come spring, I filled it with anti freeze and poured in some more pepper. It's been 3 years, no leaks. Yes, I use it, plant, spray and take to shows. Chris

 

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Fred Martin

Member

• Dec 27, 2011

• #1

The last radiator I had repaired (15 years)the fellow talked me into removing the top and bottom part and putting new in place of the working part. It was a Ford 8N and the cost was $165.00. I picked it up the next day and thought I had made out like a bandit. ohfred

 

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donjr

Well-known Member

• Dec 27, 2011

• #1

Talk to a few of the local guys and find a decent radiator shop. Most of them can repair and test a radiator and repair it in just a few minutes. If it's totally shot, many can pull the tanks and recore one fairly quickly. They're cheap in comparison to what a new one is.

 

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James Williams

Well-known Member

• Dec 27, 2011

• #1

Ill bet you have a radiator problem that caused the leak at the top,Mostly cloged radiator,It probally could use a good rodding out.My neighbor who has a RAD.shop is shutting down after 50 yrs,hell be missed

jimmy

 

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MattSillinois

Member

• Dec 28, 2011

• #1

(quoted from post at 15:55:03 12/27/11) On my 706 Gas tractor I have a small leak towards the top of the radiator. Is that radiator stop leak stuff ok for a fix or should I pull it out and have it repaired? Pros and cons of each is appreciated.

Matt

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Since its a haying tractor I will go ahead and tear it down and fix it correctly then. Have another to chore with so I have all winter to do correctly.
Thanks guys for the replies!

 

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donjr

Well-known Member

• Dec 29, 2011

• #1

By the way, I rebuilt the radiator on my 806 when I had a problem with the water pump seals, and it's an easy take out- hoods, two bolts, loosen the hoses and and it slides right out of the top.