Signs of Tractor Water Pump Problems and How to Correct It

A tractor cooling system comprises of several components, including a water pump and a radiator. These two major components of the tractor’s cooling system differ is its functions, breakage problems, and corrective and preventive maintenance procedures.

A basic pump is made up of three major parts, and a series of smaller minor parts.

The major three components are the outside housing, the central shaft, and the water impeller. One end of the impeller shaft fits into the circular impeller, and the other end of the impeller fits into the housing. The impeller shat fits into the housing via a sealed bearing and a copper bushing called a shaft slinger.

A section of the impeller shaft protrudes from the housing, and onto that is fitted a single or double groove pulley. A key is used to ensure that the pulley does not slip o the shaft.

The continuous rotation of the shaft, which turns the impeller, pulley and fan blades, will wear out over time due to normal wear and tear. The sealed bearing will damage over time, as are the copper bushings. The impeller can corrode overt time by the continuous cavitation of the coolant fluid passing through it.

These damaged bearings and bushings, will give rise to slight vibrations initially, and then to small leakage of coolant through the bearings area. At this time, its advisable to change the water pump.

In older Allis Chalmers, Case, IH, John Deere, Massey Ferguson, Ford, New Holland, Kubota, Deutz, David Brown, Farmall tractors, the water pump pulley is attached to the fan hub. If the leaking water pump is not changed, then there is the risk of the bearing completely breaking apart. This complete braking up will render the pump pulley and hub to rotate in a hap hazard fashion, and the fan blades can actually cut into the radiator, producing additional failed components i.e., the radiator and the damaged fan blades.

In newer tractors the fan blades are electrically driven, and is separate from the hub and pulley system.

Regular inspection of the pump can prevent this, or better yet, the pump should be changed after a certain amount of operational hours. A leaking pump can be quickly repaired using a water pump repair kit. The repair kit components can include an impeller, impeller shaft, gasket, bushings, bearings, and retailer clips.

If the housing of the pump is damaged, then the entire water pump needs to be changed.

On some housings are stamped a number. Get that number and call your parts supplier.