Oil & Fuel Leaking Oil Cooler

[dmp437]

Do only eHydros have the cooler??

Yes, only eHydro equipped machines have the extra cooler in front of the radiator. The cooler is Deere part number AM122482, manufactured for Deere by Modine.
The corrosion in the pictures was absolutely caused by the battery based on my multiple experiences with the same problem. The problem only goes away when the stock battery is replaced by a sealed "gel" type battery. Deere provided me with a sealed Interstate battery on the tractor's second trip to the dealer for a corroded cooler and battery tray.
4000TEN owners still running the stock battery would be wise to swap to a sealed battery as soon as possible; the new hydro cooler retails for around $180.

 

[DarinRay]

do you have a paert number on that gelled battery? My 2004 4310 needs a battery and figure I should put a good one in it.

 

[ohioboy]

IMHO, a gel-type battery is needless expense. A good maintenance free 22NF battery such as Interstate ($52) works well and is less than 1/2 the cost.

 

[dmp437]

do you have a part number on that gelled battery?

The battery Deere gave me is an Interstate DCS-500. It's rated 50AH (amp hours).

a gel-type battery is needless expense.

Deere didn't think so (in my case), they gave me one. The battery, in the 4000TEN series, is mounted in direct contact with the hydro cooler allowing for ample heat transfer. The result is a hot battery with acid that boils out, either in liquid or vapor form.

 

[ohioboy]

Good for you if the battery cost you $0, but I was buying mine. I bought my tractor used an the PO didn't notice or care about the issue while under warranty.

I don't have the oil cooler in front of the rad (12-12 ePRT trans), but my tractor still had the vapor/acid corrosion problem at the lower area of the radiator and at the tray assembly from the battery being out in front. This would indicate that it wasn't heat from an oil cooler that causes the battery boil out problem, but that it was the battery design/choice itself.

The battery mounted in direct contact with and in front of the hydraulic oil cooler seems like a bad design to me. It essentially defeats the intent of an air-to-oil heat exchanger by location. JD should have mounted this oil cooler somewhere else, such as up higher or oriented vertically at the side of the radiator. For that matter, the battery partially blocking the radiator doesn't help its effectiveness either.

I've had no further corrosion issues since switching from the JD battery to the maint. free and really don't think you need a gel cell. Just my $.02.