Tractor Repair: Massey Ferguson overheating, massey ferguson, bush hog

Question
I have a 1950 something Massey Ferguson.  It has started overheating.  It runs fine (I only use it to mow with a bush hog) but when I turn it off, the antifreeze starts to come out from under the cap and somewhere lower in the radiator.  It does not all leak out.  The antifreeze level only goes down about 1-2 inches.  This tractor has never done this before and I haven't experienced any problems prior to this.  Do tractors have thermostats?  Do you have any ideas on what this could be?  Thank you for your time!
Vicki

Answer
Hello,

  If it's OK while you're using the tractor and only does this after you shut off the engine, then it's probably not overheating. Watch the temperature gauge while you're running it to see if it actually shows that it's too hot.  After you stop the engine, it's normal for the coolant in the engine to get hotter before it gets cooler because the water pump is no longer circulating the coolant through the engine and radiator.  The coolant inside the engine is still absorbing heat from the engine but can't get rid of it because it can't get to the radiator.  After 5 minutes or so, it will finally start to cool back down.  During the time that it gets hotter, it expands slightly and if the radiator has been filled up to the top, it will push some out under the cap and overflow tube.  The radiator should only be filled until it is about one and a half inches below the filler opening when the engine is cold to allow room for expansion when it is hot.  Yes, tractors have thermostats, but if that was the problem, it would overheat within a few minutes after starting the engine because it would not allow the coolant to circulate at all.  It's also possible that the radiator cap needs to be replaced.