Leaking oil from cooler?

[erkme73]

Today I used the tractor to remove a gravel pile that was used as a berm to seal off a secondary driveway entrance. When I put her away, I noticed oil just below the driver's side engine panel, on the frame. Upon removing it, I found what looks like a leak on one of the FOUR coolers stacked in front of the engine.

I was able to pull the part and model number off the cooler, and have a message in with my local dealer (Mountain Farm Int'l in Crossville, TN).

In the meantime, I figured I'd ask here if this is the first time anyone has seen this, or if it's a known issue. My 2 year warrant ran out in February, and I had them go over the system. Of course, they didn't say anything (or it wasn't leaking then).

 

[erkme73]

I guess this is not a common issue.

I received the replacement oil cooler with FedEx today. $220 w/shipping, no tax from Big Red's Parts in TX.

Getting to the cooler wasn't particularly easy, as it involved removing the battery, the frame above the battery, the ECU, and the AC compressor coil. Using just a 10 and 12mm socket, I was able to get everything out of the way, and accessed/swapped the coil in under 2.5 hours.

While the original coil was warped a bit, I couldn't identify any leaks. In fact, I'm not convinced the coil is bad. Instead, I think what happend is that when the branch yanked on the steel lines, in not only bent to cooler, but it actually loosened the adapter fitting at the coil input. The aluminum coil has a parallel fitting that uses a very thin copper crush gasket. When I went to remove the fitting, it was barely finger tight. I think the tubing may have torqued it to loosen it - which is perhaps where the oil originated.

I replaced the coil anyway. At $200, it's cheap insurance, and since the expense is in the effort it took to access it in the first place, I wasn't going to gamble.

Hopefully this helps someone else.

FWIW, the PN shown in the picture provides ZERO results on Google. Removing the hyphens will reveal a number of sellers (PN 14721062003). The source I used provides authentic TYM parts, drop shipped.

ETA: added these pics...

 

[mikeman1]

thanks for the info. its nice when people put the end result in after they solve a problem. someday i hope to use an old pickup bedliner as a skid plate for the entire bottom to minimize branches and such from doing too much damage.

 

[sdoubledub]

Thank you so much for the post it helped me immensely. I have a similar problem, or maybe the same. Mine is leaking from the smaller cooler- the trans hydraulic cooler. Was yours leaking from the smaller one, or engine oil from the larger one directly behind the small one?

I guess this is not a common issue.

I received the replacement oil cooler with FedEx today. $220 w/shipping, no tax from Big Red's Parts in TX.

Getting to the cooler wasn't particularly easy, as it involved removing the battery, the frame above the battery, the ECU, and the AC compressor coil. Using just a 10 and 12mm socket, I was able to get everything out of the way, and accessed/swapped the coil in under 2.5 hours.

While the original coil was warped a bit, I couldn't identify any leaks. In fact, I'm not convinced the coil is bad. Instead, I think what happend is that when the branch yanked on the steel lines, in not only bent to cooler, but it actually loosened the adapter fitting at the coil input. The aluminum coil has a parallel fitting that uses a very thin copper crush gasket. When I went to remove the fitting, it was barely finger tight. I think the tubing may have torqued it to loosen it - which is perhaps where the oil originated.

I replaced the coil anyway. At $200, it's cheap insurance, and since the expense is in the effort it took to access it in the first place, I wasn't going to gamble.

Hopefully this helps someone else.

FWIW, the PN shown in the picture provides ZERO results on Google. Removing the hyphens will reveal a number of sellers (PN 14721062003). The source I used provides authentic TYM parts, drop shipped.

ETA: added these pics...

View attachment 559378

View attachment 559379

View attachment 559377

 

[Browneyesvictim]

Yes. I see there is a trend on these. https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums...ing/380062-oil-cooler-leak-hydraulic-max.html

 

[erkme73]

Yes, the smaller one. It's the hydraulic cooler - not engine cooler.

 

[dqgaddis]

Got the same problem with my Mahindra 2555 HST.

I don't have a cab so I don't have to move the AC compressor coil. I'm pretty sure I have a leak in the coil. The oil starts showing about 5 fins down on the left side facing the cooler. I did a pretty through clean and run test till leak check and it's always about 5 fins down.

I still have a warranty so the part and labor would be free but it will cost me between $220 if I rent a trailer to deliver transport my tractor to/from dealer and $400 if the dealer transports. The cooler is only $209 with tax to order new from Mahindra. So I ordered the cooler and I will replace it myself.

Thanks for the pictures and description of your experience replacing the cooler.

 

[erkme73]

Glad it was helpful. Just to underscore, I was pretty sure the leak was at the parallel-threaded fitting that screws into the cooler - not the cooler itself. It can be hard to tell where the source of the leak is, but if it's easy to get to your cooler, you may want to pressure test it under water to verify. Might just save you $$$...

 

[erkme73]

Got the same problem with my Mahindra 2555 HST.

I don't have a cab so I don't have to move the AC compressor coil. I'm pretty sure I have a leak in the coil. The oil starts showing about 5 fins down on the left side facing the cooler. I did a pretty through clean and run test till leak check and it's always about 5 fins down.

I still have a warranty so the part and labor would be free but it will cost me between $220 if I rent a trailer to deliver transport my tractor to/from dealer and $400 if the dealer transports. The cooler is only $209 with tax to order new from Mahindra. So I ordered the cooler and I will replace it myself.

Thanks for the pictures and description of your experience replacing the cooler.

I just noted where you call home. I'm about 15 miles due west of you in Wilder... Small world.