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Bad Advice?

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Tioga

10-15-2007 16:46:33

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Someone advised me to "toss the thermostat" on my TO30 when I was having troubles with it overheating. That seemed bad advise to me when I read later in my service manual "NEVER RUN YOUR TRACTOR WITHOUT A THERMOSTAT."

However, when I took off the hose to replace my thermostat I found the previous owner had followed this same thought. Am I taking the manual too literally? Is the machine less likely to overheat if the coolant is always circulating through the radiator? I do have a new one so is is not an issue of $. My assumption is the tractor should reach operating temperature much quicker when old man winter hits with the thermostat.

But. . . why does the manual so explicitly warn not to run w/o?

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Aaron Ford

10-17-2007 17:13:42

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Re: Bad Advice? in reply to Tioga, 10-15-2007 16:46:33

I have heard that on some applications the removal of the thermostat will actually cause engine damage due to overheating and uneven cooling. Coolant circulating to fast cannot effectively remove the heat from the head or pass it out the radiator causing an overheating situation. Not sure if this applies to Fergies or if it is even valid, but I always run the hottest thermostat that I think I can get away with. I had thoughts of running my 65 on a 15 lb cap and 195 degree thermo, but did not want to test the solder in my factory radiator. Had I had it recored, I would have. I am a firm believer in running any engine as hot as can be and still be stable. Instead I ran the stock 7 lb cap and a 160 degree thermo.

Aaron

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Jerry/MT

10-16-2007 09:50:28

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Re: Bad Advice? in reply to Tioga, 10-15-2007 16:46:33

When a factory manual says never run without a thermostat, you have to believe it"s important to do so. They wouldn"t put that in the manual if they didn"t mean it.

To just remove the thermostat when you get an overheat means you are not fixing the root cause of an overheating problem. There maybe emergency situations where this is called for but the Continental blocks are prone to cracking from overheating so one has to find the root cause of the problem and that is seldom the thermostat.

It"s usually a clogged air side on the radiator, a loose fan belt, a bad pressure cap, or a collapsed lower radiator hose. It could also be caused by the wrong timing, to lean a mixture, not using water/antifreeze coolant, or a limed (Calcium Carbonate deposit) water jacket. There are probably a few other"s that I haven"t mentioned.

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gshadel

10-16-2007 09:39:35

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Re: Bad Advice? in reply to Tioga, 10-15-2007 16:46:33

Not good advise. The engine will run, but not as efficiently, without the thermo as it will never heat-up to normal operating temps., which is not good for several reasons. That's an okay step to take if your thermo locks-up & you need to finish plowing a field, but not a good long term idea. It also sounds like you are not correcting the real problem by removing the thermo. Sounds like you need to clean your radiator, both inside & outside. It is amazing how much unseen chaf your radiator holds between the fins that will cause overheating. Blow compressed air both directions thru the fins, and maybe run a can of radiator flush thru your TO. You can also carefully look into the radiator with the engine running, and thermo out, to make sure you have good flow, the coolant enters thru that top hose. Make sure your fan shroud is installed on the radiator, that improves air draw through the fins.
Once your radiator is clean, install your new thermostat, make sure it is facing the right way. If installed backwards your engine will overheat in about 5 minutes.

George

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Brent, IN

10-16-2007 13:14:46

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Re: Bad Advice? in reply to gshadel, 10-16-2007 09:39:35

I need to install a thermostat. I assume the end with the spring goes toward the engine?

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gshadel

10-16-2007 14:53:36

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Re: Bad Advice? in reply to Brent, IN, 10-16-2007 13:14:46

Brent, there are a couple different designs of thermos out there, I don't recall off the top of my head on the springy ones. However, there should be a direction of flow arrow stamped on the side. Roll the thermo around and look for an arrow pointing one way or the other. That arrow needs to point TOWARDS your radiator.

George

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johnand cindy

10-16-2007 06:25:24

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Re: Bad Advice? in reply to Tioga, 10-15-2007 16:46:33

Is the tractor overheating do to a bad rad. cap?
check or replace the cap. I had a simular problem I tested the thermostat then the cap, I replaced it and its been fine. Be sure to purchace the correct pressure 7lb. for the TO20. Hope this helps. God bless, John

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Jeff-oh

10-16-2007 06:03:14

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Re: Bad Advice? in reply to Tioga, 10-15-2007 16:46:33

There is some thought to get an engine to operating temperature other than performance.

If you do not allow the block to heat and expand to it's designed operating temperature. Then, the cylendar bores valve sleves etc will be smaller and tighter and you can create excessive wear as the pistons etc. move in these smaller holes. My calc. shows about .010" thermal growth in the bore alone due to temperature.

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Bob (Aust)

10-16-2007 02:39:07

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Re: Bad Advice? in reply to Tioga, 10-15-2007 16:46:33

Tioga. Bad advice!!!
The thermostat ensures the engine warms up quickly and is always running at optimum temperature, regardless of the ambient air temp, regardless of throttle setting and regardless of load.
Sure the tractor won't overheat without a thermostat, but in cold weather the engine will never reach correct operating temperature.

Why remove the thermostat on the off chance it may fail, possibly causing overheating, when it may result in the engine never reaching correct operating temperature, increasing engine wear????

Thermostats are cheap. I replace mine every five or six years or so, when I totally flush the cooling system and replace the anti freeze.
I have never had a cooling system problem in my TEA20.

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Willy/30-OD

10-15-2007 17:04:36

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Re: Bad Advice? in reply to Tioga, 10-15-2007 16:46:33

I've got 2 fergy's and don't have a stat in either. I use them in the winter and have not had any problems. But might be a good time to remind everyone to check their anti-freese for the year. I guess the guy that told me to leave it out, thought no stat is better than a stuck stat. your call

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