522xi overheating

[jbouldin 0]

I have a 522xi that after 15 min with the mower deck engaged it starts to overheat and this is the only time it gets hot. Anyone have any ideas?

[Jeff-C175 7,206]

What symptoms lead you to believe that it's overheating?

[wh500special 2,262]

I assume you're looking at the temperature gauge on the dashboard to determine the overheat condition.  Mine was running hot too.

 

Have you checked the screens below the dashboard for schmutz that might be blocking airflow?  The air flows from the operator's position forward through the engine compartment and out the grille in the front.  Obstructions in the inlet (or outlet) can restrict airflow.  Blow the entire underhood out to remove any trapped clippings and other debris to free up the airflow.

 

I've noticed my 522xi seemed to run hotter on the gauge than I expected it would when mowing.  I put a tach on the output shaft of the engine and clocked my full throttle RPM at about 3000 rather than the specified 3400.  A little adjustment to the carburator linkage brought the engine speed up and seems to have fixed the symptom.  Might not be the case with yours, but an easy thing to check and do.

 

If the engine is running lean, it will also run hotter.  I'm no carburator expert, but it is possible yours is running too lean and may require adjustment.  Hopefully someone else can consult you on that issue.

 

If the hydraulic system is dirty or restricted it will be running hot too and may be loading the engine excessively.  If a fluid change wasn't done recently, you might want to perform that PM service as well.  Be sure to replace the filter with an OEM Toro unit AND clean the power steering filter too.

 

Finally, is it only overheating when mowing heavy grass, or is it pretty much any time you're using the thing with the mower engaged?  Toro certainly verified hot weather performance with these things, but it is possible the deck is asking too much of the power available.  I took the mulch plug out of my 48" deck and was astounded by the difference in load the mower exerts on the engine.  I'd bet the 48" mulcher puts more load on the tractor than the 60" side shooter.

 

Good luck,

Steve

[Jeff-C175 7,206]

 

Have you checked the screens below the dashboard for schmutz that might be blocking airflow?  The air flows from the operator's position forward through the engine compartment and out the grille in the front.  Obstructions in the inlet (or outlet) can restrict airflow.  Blow the entire underhood out to remove any trapped clippings and other debris to free up the airflow.

 

Steve, would the engines in the 522 be subject to having the cooling fins under the tins full of schmutz too?  Would it be advisable if the basic checking of air flow doesn't fix the problem to suggest pulling the tins?  I'm not familiar with these machines so I'm asking partly out of my own curiousity.

[Rick_in_CT 156]

Below is from the 5xi service manual:

 

Models 518xi, 520xi, and 522xi are equipped

with air-cooled engines.

The engine is cooled by air drawn through the

air intake screen by a fan attached to the

flywheel. Engine heat is carried away when

shrouds attached to the engine direct the air

flow through fins located on the cylinders and

cylinder heads.

 

Inspect air intake screens often. Keep cooling

and combustion air paths free of debris at all

times.

Consult the engine manufacturer.s service

manual for specific instructions and service

intervals.

NOTE: Operating the engine with a blocked air

intake screen, dirty or plugged cooling fins,

and/or cooling shrouds removed, will cause

engine damage due to overheating.

It is preferable to blow dirt out, rather than

washing it out. If water is used, keep it away

from electrical items.

 

Engine overheats.

Possible Cause Corrective Action

(3) air intake screens are dirty Clean with every use

Restricted air flow into the engine or radiator Inspect & clean the (3) air intake screens & radiator screen

The crankcase oil level is incorrect Fill or drain to the full mark

The fuel mixture is lean Clean carburetor, check float level, and inspect main jet

Excessive loading Reduce load; use lower ground speed

 

If you only overheat when you have the mower active, have you checked all of the moving parts associated with the mower to make sure that the deck is not loading down the engine.  This would include the pulleys in the mule as well as the all of the decks spindle bearings.  Do you have the deck belt correctly tensioned, not too tight?

 

When you see that the motor is overheating, besides the gauge going up, do you have any other indications that you are really overheating?  Smells hot, engine starts to get sluggish, new sounds?  Just wondering if the gauge or sender is giving a false indication once it reaches a certain point.  I have two 522xi and the gauge readings are significantly different between the two machines.  One will show heat much faster than the other, and will always read quite a bit higher.

 

Rick

 

 

 

 

[Challenger 27]

Several years ago I had an overheat problem with a  520xi that I bought used.  My Wheel Horse dealer took apart all of the engine's exterior tin and found the machine was FULL of grass and other debris.

 

Once cleaned and reassembled the engine never overheated again and ran like a champ.

[Jim_M 179]

The commands tend to collect a lot of grass and debris on the backs of the cylinders and heads. They look nice and clean until you pull the tins.

[wh500special 2,262]

 

Steve, would the engines in the 522 be subject to having the cooling fins under the tins full of schmutz too?  Would it be advisable if the basic checking of air flow doesn't fix the problem to suggest pulling the tins?  I'm not familiar with these machines so I'm asking partly out of my own curiousity.

Absolutely, they could be full of grass. Unfortunately, it probably isn't very easy to remove the engine shrouds while the engine is still in the tractor. I've not tried to disassemble the engine shrouds in mine, but it looks like you'd be best served by removing the engine or completely disassembling the hood/side panel/hood framework.

Routine maintenance on the 5xi's is easily done, but anything beyond that becomes more involved.

[Challenger 27]

 

 

Steve, would the engines in the 522 be subject to having the cooling fins under the tins full of schmutz too?  Would it be advisable if the basic checking of air flow doesn't fix the problem to suggest pulling the tins?  I'm not familiar with these machines so I'm asking partly out of my own curiousity.

Absolutely, they could be full of grass. Unfortunately, it probably isn't very easy to remove the engine shrouds while the engine is still in the tractor. I've not tried to disassemble the engine shrouds in mine, but it looks like you'd be best served by removing the engine or completely disassembling the hood/side panel/hood framework.

Routine maintenance on the 5xi's is easily done, but anything beyond that becomes more involved.

 

 

Following-up my earlier post, my Wheel Horse dealer DID remove the engine in my 520xi to be able to clean it of the very large amount of grass/debris concealed by the engine tin.  This turned my "good deal" purchase price of the 520xi into a just OK  deal.  (To the credit of the seller, he did send me $100 to help with the repair costs).

[Jim_M 179]

You can get enough of the tins off to clean the engine without pulling the engine out.Obviously you can't completely remove the blower housing because of the drive shaft, but you can move it back far enough the clean things up.