John Deere 550 dozer problem

[ernemats]

I have an older John Deere 550 dozer (year 1979) and it starts right up but after a few minutes of running it starts shooting water/antifreeze out the overflow vent where the cap is. I have filled it with water to the top of the radiator core and check it after running and it is down so I think it is a problem with the cooling system. Someone I talked to suggested it might be a head gasket. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[redman135]

Preassure is getting from the cylinder into the radiator.
Likely culprints: 1) blown head gasket
2) cracked head

 

[TnAndy]

Preassure is getting from the cylinder into the radiator.
Likely culprints: 1) blown head gasket
2) cracked head

Yep....most likely that's it.

 

[atsah]

Pull you're dipstick look at and smell the oil?

 

[ernemats]

If it's a head gasket how big a job to repair? Is it something I can tackle and also does it hurt to run it for a short time to get it to the shop or loaded on a trailer?

 

[redman135]

If it is a head gasket and you are handy with tools you could it your self.
However if you opt to have it done professionally then you can drive it for short periods to load/unload, and get into workshop. HOWEVER if the water pissing out of the overflow stops SHUT DOWN IMMEDIATLY. You have run the radiator dry and are about to sieze the engine. Refill the radiator then continue movement.
If you opt for do it yourself: Get a workshop manual BEFORE you start anything.
Do you have a shed that can fit the dozer? If the floor is concrete, lay down 2" thick timber to save the concrete.
A head unit is heavy. I reccomend you use a block and tackle to do the initial lift.
Be aware that when torqueing a head down there may be a particular order to torque down the studs.
good luck.

 

[ernemats]

Still cannot decide what I want to do. Another person I talked to said it could be something simple like a clogged hose or radiator. I cannot see any sign of a leak on the engine or no smell of antifreeze in the oil.

 

[Peter 315]

You can rent or buy a radiator pressure test kit to see if the head gasket is bad ....

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Preassure is getting from the cylinder into the radiator.
Likely culprints: 1) blown head gasket 2) cracked head

That would be my guess too...

To the OP, IF you pull the head, get it checked professionally including magnafluxed, to look for cracks ect., to eliminate more problems on down the road.

SR

 

[RedNeckRacin]

Have you checked whether the coolant to water ratio is correct? have you done a pressure test on the radiator? You could certainly drain the radiator and have it checked. That would be a lot cheaper than pulling the engine. Just be careful, the nose on those machines is not light.

 

[Ortimber]

Pull the radiator cap and see if water bubbles out when the engine is running. If so, there’s a good chance the head gasket is done for.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Have you checked whether the coolant to water ratio is correct? have you done a pressure test on the radiator? You could certainly drain the radiator and have it checked. That would be a lot cheaper than pulling the engine. Just be careful, the nose on those machines is not light.

Why would he need to "pull the engine", to replace (if needed) a head gasket???

SR

 

[1010]

Replace the radiator cap as it might not be working correctly. If still have leaking do a pressure test, make sure the radiator is clear/clean for air flow. Make sure the anti freeze is close to 50/50 as possible, I have seen a CAT D3 run hot from almost pure anti freeze.
If you don't have water in the oil, or bubbling in the radiator while at hot idle, your head is fine more than likely. Run the cap loose and see what happens when hot.
The other culprit I'd replace is the thermostat.

 

[RedNeckRacin]

Why would he need to "pull the engine", to replace (if needed) a head gasket???

SR

there are many reasons why a head gasket could go bad and if its been run (which is sounds like it has some) for a length of time, there could be a multitude of issues caused that would require the block to be taken out to address.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

there are many reasons why a head gasket could go bad and if its been run (which is sounds like it has some) for a length of time, there could be a multitude of issues caused that would require the block to be taken out to address.

Could that happen, sure it could, but pulling the head and having it checked is MUCH easier and most times will take care of the problem.

SR

 

[RedNeckRacin]

Could that happen, sure it could, but pulling the head and having it checked is MUCH easier and most times will take care of the problem.

SR

Could, but its not a guarantee. I wanted to make sure all bases were covered whether highly likely or not. YMMV

 

[ernemats]

My grandson and I were fooling around with the dozer yesterday and we have arrived at the conclusion that it is not the head gasket but a problem with the oil cooler. The oil in the crankcase looks good but the oil in the transmission looks like a milkshake the same as the engine coolant. We believe the oil cooler at the bottom of the radiator is leaking somewhere so we are going to pull the radiator and oil cooler out and check them for leaks . Does it sound logical?

 

[1010]

Is it blowing all the fluid out or does it stop after it reaches a certain level. I had a JD that would blow out a good bit of fluid like that, if I filled it up to the neck. A a hour or two it would stop.

 

[redman135]

Re post 17, if the radiator and oil cooler are integrated , then yes, this is logical. Look on the net. There are certain models of car that had integrated radiator/oil coolers that leaked ,mixed coolant and oil and destroyed the transmission as a result.
There is 1 anomaly, and that is , how is the radiator preassurizing?