Need help. Temp issue

Ray in CT · May 22, 2009

I have just recently picked up a '39 styled JD A. Im not to familiar with it yet. but it seems to be operating around 200-205 degrees. is that to high or normal operation temp. it was 80 degrees outside today. please any information will be appreciated

shaun wallace · May 22, 2009

Does sound high being as how dont have thermostat or water pump. Id look for stopped up water tubes in radiator.

Andy Motteberg · May 22, 2009

That's pretty high. Were you working it hard? The old 2 cylinder JD's without water pumps get hot if working really hard. If it was not being worked, take off the grilles and take a look at the radiator core, if its packed with dirt or trash, use a air gun and clean the junk out of the core. Also make sure the engine is clean. Make sure the inside of the radiator / water pipes are not clogged. Make sure the temp gauge is working properly. Good luck!

Ray in CT · May 22, 2009

will do. thanks guys ill repost after i drain and flush the coolant.

wijim · May 22, 2009

remember, you have to mix water and coolant before you put it in. jim

2t2@IA · May 22, 2009

Our 1950 gas JD A would run about that hot when working hard. It was just using the thermo syphon cooling system. We also have a 1939 JD B (a two fuel tractor) that also ran about that hot when working hard. I think that type of cooling system was to some extent a carry over from the JD's which ran on distilate or kerosene after starting on gasoline. They were more effecient at those temperatures. Good advice on other posts, though. Just be sure that the coolant is not boiling away.

Jerry/MT · May 22, 2009

Don't know much about those tractors but if it has a pressure cap on the radiator, makes sure it's working correctly.

Bob · May 23, 2009

Simply put, nnalert... it will mix just fine.

Anonymous-0 · May 23, 2009

That's rather naked,couldn't you use a @ or $ in there somewhere while screaming.Probably too simplified for some.A small dose of Decorum shouldn't be too hard.

MarkB_MI · May 23, 2009

I'm not familiar with the pre-war John Deeres, but that seems pretty high for a tractor of that vintage, which probably doesn't have a pressurized cooling system. I'm with Shaun; the radiator probably needs to be rodded out.

buickanddeere · May 23, 2009

They are supposed to run hot. Any engine wastes less unburned fuel up the stack when running at 210 instead of 160F.
160F and is too cold and increased ring/bore wear due to raw fuel diluting the lube oil.
Those all fuel engines would stall if switched from gasoline to kerosene if the temp was under 180F.
When burning oil in a spark ignition engine. The intake manifold, ports, heads, piston, cylinder walls must be hot.
210-230F never damaged an engine.Boil overs when the coolant flashes from liquid to vapour does damage engines.
a 50/50 mix in a non pressurized system is good for at least 220F.

Bob · May 23, 2009

AW, come on! We're not a bunch of girlie men here are we? I don't suppose the guess you're around everyday ever let a mild cuss word slip out?

Goose · May 23, 2009

Other than driving a few for my uncles when I was a kid, I haven't much experience with John Deere.

However, also when I was a kid, my dad had an old Fordson with an unpressurized cooling system. He always said it ran best when the radiator was boiling over.

Ray in CT · May 23, 2009

thanks everyone for all your help. i blew out the fins and put a new gasket in the cap. its staying steady between 190-205 now. thanks

Paul from MI · May 23, 2009

The engine was designed to run 190-210 under load. Pretty hard to get them up to temp without a load if everything else is right. Check for plugged radiator tubes and good flow thru the block & head. No one else has mentioned it, but does it still have shutters and are they open or closed? They should be closed to start and adjusted to provide correct temp.
Paul

Ray in CT · May 23, 2009

it doesnt have shutters, i havent put it under a heavy load since ive owned it, more or less just toyed around town on it. i ran it today around the block and it stayed around 180. so i am going to assume its just a bad gauge, i ordered one this afternoon so after it comes in and i install it ill repost if there is still an issue. next weekend im going to flush the system. and hope it works. but thanks for the info paul much appreciated

Need help. Temp issue

Ray in CT

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shaun wallace

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Andy Motteberg

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Ray in CT

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wijim

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2t2@IA

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Jerry/MT

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Bob

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Anonymous-0

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MarkB_MI

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buickanddeere

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Bob

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Goose

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Ray in CT

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Paul from MI

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Ray in CT

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