7020 running warm

define wiggles?  does the shaft move, or you can just flex the fan a bit?

Edited by Orange Blood - 14 May 2017 at 7:03pm

Well if the shaft moves side to side, or up or down, then it definitely needs attention, before it comes apart.

I have had thermostats stick closed. I take them out and put them in a pot of water on a hot plate with a instant read thermometer in the water and watch to see if the thermostat opens at its rated temperature, probably 180F. I have so poor a trust that I run new thermostats through the same test before installing. I don't use that pot for cook food after that test, nor that thermometer with food because antifreeze isn't a health food.

I have also had thermostats stuck open.

Gerald J.

Might as well go over everything in that area:  rad, water pump, stats and hoses to prevent any future down time.

Before you spend any money pull the radiator and carefully pressure wash it. Made all the difference with my 8030.

Cold lower hose means the radiator is doing its job. You might get this kind of indication if the radiator is clogged inside or if the thermostat isn't working. If the temperature is 210+ with the radiator cap off and the water isn't boiling, I'd suspect a faulty temperature sensor or gauge.

my 7020 I had to pull the rad and wash it, the mud dobber wasps had 3/4s of the fins full of mud for making there hives, took me an hour of gently soaking and washing with a low pressure washer, once clean it runs normal operating temp no matter what I do with it! oh I also installed new thermostats!

I have a 7040 and can't figure out where the thermostat is located? I replaced hoses, water pump, pulley and belts and wanted to do the thermostat but couldn't find the old one?

i recommend a fail safe thermostat when possible.  they stay open when they go bad.

Our 7020 has 2 Robert Shaw thermostats in it. A 180 and 185. It would be unlikely that both would go bad at the same time. You could take the cap off while the engine is cold and watch as it heats up and see if it looks like it's circulating when it gets to temp.

Edited by fourthgeneration - 30 May 2017 at 9:52pm

I use coil clean to foam on the debris out of the radiator but sounds like you are thinking the pump shaft is broke.

That's what came in it new. Dad bought it new in 81 or 82.

How do you know it's overheating if you don't have any working coolant temp gauge???  Step #1 is a working temp gauge. Step #2 is two new thermostats and be careful not to twist off any of the 6 bolts to the stat housing. Use a torch to warm up the bolt thread pockets. Step #3 is to remove both coolers (set them off to the side or wire them up out of the way) ahead of the radiator. Remove the plastic fan shroud and it better not be broken as it will need to be replaced if it is. Get a 90 degree pipe elbow on the end of your power washer wand tip and gently pressure wash the radiator from the back to the front and front to back for about an hour or maybe more. Especially in the corners will be dirty. When you can shine a trouble light thru the radiator core EVERYWHERE it should be clean enough. Tight fan belts and probably new fan belts would be better as old belts can slip using old pulleys that are worn out. Now see if you have any overheating issues.

Edited by DrAllis - 6 hours 48 minutes ago at 8:32am