OrangeBuggy
Active member
When I go to the shop I'll get you a part number. But for now, it's the old round can that has a brush build-ed in to the lid. The stuff is dark brown/red and is thick.
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Another Coolant Leak
- Thread starter pop58
- Start date
CornerstoneFarm
Member
pop, interesting PDF, there is a difference in part numbers based on the machine serial number. Wonder if they realized there was a problem and they changed hoses and clamps.
I am fed up with both dealers in this area. Just spoke with the one and he said there is no bulletin on the problem.
I am fed up with both dealers in this area. Just spoke with the one and he said there is no bulletin on the problem.
Now you know why I don't take mine to the dealer, for anything.
Scheduled maintenance I do myself. Front CV-Joints, new bed, replace 2 piece front drive shaft with a one piece front drive shaft, electrical problems, just do it myself. I don't let those clowns touch it. The parts department is great, the shop, not so much. If I need to buy a tool, so be it. I buy a good one and don't look back.
If I have to do the rear U-Joints, it may give me an excuse to buy the hydraulic press I've always wanted.
Your leak is not something I've ever seen before. I suspect they got a load of faulty hoses. They may have had a quality control problem related to hose clamp torque as well. Those stainless screw type clamps are usually very reliable.
"Knock on wood," but my 2004 RTV, with 2,022 hours on it, hasn't had a single coolant leak. Every hose and clamp is factory original. I've drained and replaced the coolant, but it never leaks. The radiator is under the driver's seat. Nice short hoses. I don't know why they moved it to the front in the new models.
Fitch
CornerstoneFarm
Member
Fitch I never had a problem with my old one! I forget how many thousands of hours I had on it but it never leaked!!!
It's okay, I am taking this dang thing to my John Deere dealer, they will fix it! Take that Kubota!!! Last piece of Kubota crap I ever buy.
It's okay, I am taking this dang thing to my John Deere dealer, they will fix it! Take that Kubota!!! Last piece of Kubota crap I ever buy.
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I'm sorry to hear of your problems.
My 2004 RTV is one of the best equipment purchases I ever made. It was early production model (Purchased June 2004. It was the 3rd. one the local dealer sold) and had some teething issues (it would almost pitch an unsuspecting passenger over the hood if the driver released the fuel feed too fast - I had to add a 'kit' to fix that) but it's been very reliable. It always starts and runs. I replace the fuel filter every six months because the old Diesel tank isn't the best, but the RTV doesn't complain.
It's getting old enough that rubber parts are starting to fail. I should probably just replace all the radiator hoses.
One CV joint boot went so I replaced them all, rubber horn button split and fell off, so I got a new one. The two piece drive shaft was upgraded to the new much better design one piece design. The horse manure rotted the bed so I made a new one. I'm expecting to have to do the rear U-joints sometime in the next few years so I'm doing the research. Stuff like that, but nothing that made me dislike it.
The dealer service mechanics are pretty bad so I don't use them. But the parts department is great.
Nobody should reach for my RTV with anything they aren't willing to lose.
Fitch
New member here. New to me '06 RTV900 (1800 hrs), bought on eGag out of Phoenix, supposed to be in great running shape. The delivery driver said they drove it out and loaded it on his trailer. When he got here to Texas we started it, unloaded it and drove it to back yard. Next day I found the radiator and it was only moist inside. I bought a gallon of antifreeze and cut it to 50% and poured well over a half gallon in before I started seeing a leak under the engine. Best I can tell it is coming out of the water pump.
Gotta pull the pump off from the bottom? I have the skid plate off but too cold outside this week to get the pump off. If it is just the pump I believe I should replace the hoses at the pump also.
Bryce
Gotta pull the pump off from the bottom? I have the skid plate off but too cold outside this week to get the pump off. If it is just the pump I believe I should replace the hoses at the pump also.
Bryce
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I agree, replacing the hoses is a good move. I've never removed a water pump. When I head for the barn to feed the horses I'll take a look at the access. Looking at the RTV900 Workshop Manual, I think you can get at it if you do the disassembly shown on pages S18 and S19.
What they suggest on those pages is: Remove the seat back, seat assembly, seatbelts, left and right center covers, and center cover. From the pictures that will give you access to everything under the seat, the radiator, hoses, and I'm pretty sure to the water pump.
I definitely recommend getting the Workshop Manual. It sucks compared to those from Ford, GM, or Dodge, but it's a lot better than nothing and it gives torques for important bolts. One of the best things I ever did was buy the Workshop Manual for the RTV900 and the ZD21.
You can go on-line to Messicks and see the parts manual for your machine. I've printed the applicable pages for repairs. The exploded views help a lot to understand what's there and anticipate problems.
Fitch
I also highly recommend a service manual. Be sure it's a repair or service manual though. They run about $100 but for under $15 you can find them on Ebay and elsewhere on DVD or downloadable. That's what I have and while it's more difficult to page through quickly, the advantage is you can print out the pages you need and if they get messed up just pitch them and start over.
It's also nice to only have the important page or two in front of you when you are working on them.
I bought an 04 last year with 850 hours on it and I keep finding more uses for it all the time. Great little machine. Bob
The PDF is for the 1100.
I am fed up with my dealer also. They don't know how to take care of costumers.
I don't know why your dealer said there is not a bulletin, I read the bulletin myself.
It's going to take a while to see if mine keeps using coolant or leaks. It is so cold out side I haven't been able to use the machine much.
CornerstoneFarm
Member
It's been really cold below 0. Snow. Love that heater! Darn dogs don't even get out unless I have to yell for the young one to come and hold back sheep or watch the rams.
But interestingly the gauge doesn't get above 2 bars AND there hasn't been a leak. I've done nothing to it since the last leaking except stick a bigger pan under it at night. So it's a pressure issue? Maybe?
Pop, mine has to work, cold or not. Sometimes it just nice to sit in that warm cab while the tractor warms up.
But interestingly the gauge doesn't get above 2 bars AND there hasn't been a leak. I've done nothing to it since the last leaking except stick a bigger pan under it at night. So it's a pressure issue? Maybe?
Pop, mine has to work, cold or not. Sometimes it just nice to sit in that warm cab while the tractor warms up.
I am so jealous of your cab. It was a tropical 8F here this AM with a breeze. Driving into the wind I thought my face would fall off and shatter into tiny pieces.
I was just glad the RTV started and ran - the stalls need to be cleaned regardless of temperature.
CornerstoneFarm
Member
Fitch, it's so nice!!! Up until last spring I was like you, cabless. But I did have a windshield and that was worth every penny! Look around on the threads here and you will see some ideas for building your own windshield. Keeps you from freezing your face in the winter and eating bugs in the summer!
Fitch, I was the same way. I made one of the cheap windshields for my 900 and it is amazing not to have my nose about freeze off. I used the window film on my wood frame top and found an old piece of scratched up Plexiglas for the separate bottom. . I am going to go for some type of Plexiglas when I run across a good buy to put in the top part so I don't have to be as careful.. for right now though , as long as I avoid poking limbs, the plastic film is great ! collie
CornerstoneFarm
Member
temperature went up into the 30's yesterday and the leak returned!
Not good.
CornerstoneFarm, ride around with the two skids plates and the radiator shroud off (the one on the backside of the radiator). Thats what I did until I found leaks. I had more then one. Hope I don't have anymore.
I seams my coolant level is going down some but no leak. Can't figure that one out yet.
I wiped all the coolant off each time it leaked to better locate the next leak.
It sucks but best way to pin point it.
CornerstoneFarm
Member
Pop I know exactly where it leaks from...
was talking to a friend today and we are thinking it's a pressure problem. We are thinking I should ride around for a few days with the radiator cap loose.
With it being 24 degrees the engine isn't going to overheat. So the pressure can't build up so it should leak...
was talking to a friend today and we are thinking it's a pressure problem. We are thinking I should ride around for a few days with the radiator cap loose.
With it being 24 degrees the engine isn't going to overheat. So the pressure can't build up so it should leak...