What is the reason for the high water temperature of the excavator?
Recently, one of the hot topics in the field of construction machinery is the problem of excessively high water temperature in excavators. Many machine owners and operators reported that in hot weather or when working for a long time, the water temperature of the excavator increased abnormally, and even "boiling" occurred. This article will use structured data analysis to summarize common causes and solutions of high water temperatures in excavators to help users quickly troubleshoot problems.
1. Common causes of high water temperature in excavators

According to the maintenance cases and technical discussions on the entire network in the past 10 days, the main reasons for the high water temperature of the excavator can be summarized into the following categories:
| Cause classification | Specific performance | Proportion (sample size: 200 cases) |
|---|---|---|
| cooling system problems | Radiator clogged, water pump failure, thermostat failure | 45% |
| Improper operation | Long-term high-load operation and excessive throttle | 25% |
| Hydraulic system abnormality | The hydraulic oil temperature is too high and is transmitted to the engine | 15% |
| Other mechanical failures | The fan belt is loose and the cylinder gasket is damaged. | 15% |
2. Detailed cause analysis and solutions
1. Cooling system problems (most common)
(1)Radiator clogged: Dust, catkins, etc. block the heat sink, causing the heat dissipation efficiency to decrease. Use a high-pressure air gun to clean from the inside out.
(2)Water pump failure: The impeller is damaged or the bearing is stuck, which is manifested by poor coolant circulation. The water pump assembly needs to be replaced.
(3)Thermostat failure: The normally closed state prevents the large cycle from opening. Detection method: Remove the thermostat and put it in hot water to observe the opening of the valve.
2. Improper operation (avoidable)
(1)Long-term and high-load operations: It is recommended to shut down the engine every 2 hours to cool down to avoid overrunning the engine.
(2)Throttle control problem: The economic speed range is generally 1700-1900 rpm. Excessive stepping on the accelerator will increase heat generation.
3. Influence of hydraulic system (easy to ignore)
When the hydraulic oil temperature exceeds 80°C, it will affect the water temperature through the shared radiator. Need to check:
| Check items | normal value range |
|---|---|
| Hydraulic oil level | Oil dipstick center line |
| Hydraulic oil contamination degree | NAS level 10 or below |
| main pump pressure | 34-36MPa (brand difference) |
3. Reference of recent hot maintenance cases
The following is a typical processing solution for statistics of a maintenance platform:
| Model | Fault phenomenon | final solution | Time consuming repair |
|---|---|---|---|
| CAT 320D | Water temperature 110℃ alarm | Replace thermostat + clean hydraulic oil radiator | 3 hours |
| Komatsu PC200-8 | The water temperature is normal when idling but soars during operation. | Replace water pump and adjust fan belt tension | 4.5 hours |
4. Prevention Suggestions
1.daily checklist:
• Coolant level (check the auxiliary water tank scale when the engine is cold)
• Radiator surface cleanliness (purge at least once a month)
• Tightness of the fan belt (it is better to press the middle part to sink 10-15mm)
2.seasonal maintenance: Pre-summer advice:
• Replace high boiling point coolant (such as -45℃~130℃ specification)
• Install auxiliary cooling device (optional hydraulically driven fan)
Through the above structured analysis, it can be seen that the problem of high water temperature in the excavator needs to be systematically investigated. If self-treatment fails, it is recommended to contact professional after-sales personnel in time to avoid serious failures such as engine cylinder pull due to high temperature.
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