T320 radiator leak

[Timark80]

Slow leak at the seam/crimp where the aluminum meets the plastic,right side.
Three months ago only a coolant smell,now it's about 16 oz per day so it's getting worse. Temps are good so far while mulching and using other attachments.Of course I keep it topped off each day.
Was hoping Bobcat had a recall on the 09' models.No luck. They gave a new rad. price of $430 for a new one.Suprised it was not more.
Does anyone have a remedy for this or am I stuck with replacing it myself?
It looks simple except for the hyd. cooler on top of it.It has hi-flo hyd.with forestry kit if that makes a difference.

 

[fishfactor]

There was a recall on them a few years ago, but I don't think it was advertised. It was just covered if you brought it in. We had two replaced under warranty and had the same problem. My dealer put different O-rings in and no leaks.

I changed one in the woods before and it's not too bad, but I put our hydraulic cooler on hinges. Just be really, really careful when you put the cooler back in or you will knock a hole in your radiator. You will need the special wrench to take apart the hydraulic lines on the cooler. Bobcat has them, but I ordered one online for about $8.00 vs their $50.00.

Everything is pretty straight forward if you have done any mechanical work except the bolts that hold the radiator in. Remove the side panels under the lift cylinders and reach in and up to find the 9/16" bolts, 2 per side. You can see them if you stand on your head on one side, the other side not so much, but I can't remember which side.

Don't forget you will need to recharge your A/C as well. While you have the condenser out, take a pressure washer to it and get all of the crud out from between the fins.

Or just send it up and I'll build you a custom rear cover, put your cooler on hinges, and install a wire mesh screen over everything. We clean our radiator once every 4-5 days in 95 deg weather and it takes less than 5 minutes.

 

[Timark80]

Thanks,but my ac condenser lifts out of the way with plenty of room.Did you have to disconnect the lines to it?Can you send some info on the $8 hyd wrench?
I do all of the "routine" maintenance on my vehicles and equipment and this looks kinda easy.If they have a shop manual I'll buy one tomorrow.I wonder if black pepper works? haha

 

[fishfactor]

Thanks,but my ac condenser lifts out of the way with plenty of room.Did you have to disconnect the lines to it?Can you send some info on the $8 hyd wrench?
I do all of the "routine" maintenance on my vehicles and equipment and this looks kinda easy.If they have a shop manual I'll buy one tomorrow.I wonder if black pepper works? haha

I tried all of the stop leak products. Problem is you can't dump in straight into the radiator and it never makes it out of the overflow tank. You might can do it with the condenser in, I didn't try.

I have no idea where I found the wrench as it was 3-4 years ago. It's a cheapo chinese copy of these that I just found for $20 or less, but I can't remember which size it is. If you have a good relationship with your dealer ask them to borrow one.

Aeroquip STC Tools

 

[Digdeep]

I just got this from one of my friends that still sells Bobcats. He said to replace the covers around the cylinders when they get torn in the woods and really take the time to clean your engine compartment. He knows of quite a few that have burned and thinks that the forestry kit gives the operator a false sense of security.

 

[Timark80]

I tried all of the stop leak products. Problem is you can't dump in straight into the radiator and it never makes it out of the overflow tank. You might can do it with the condenser in, I didn't try.

I have no idea where I found the wrench as it was 3-4 years ago. It's a cheapo chinese copy of these that I just found for $20 or less, but I can't remember which size it is. If you have a good relationship with your dealer ask them to borrow one.

Aeroquip STC Tools

My local dealer is really helpful so far.
The stopleak stuff like "bars" brand etc... are only a temp fix and will clog alot more than the little leak.
Looks like I will replace the radiator since it's only about 3 hrs pay for a mulching job.
Thanks fishfactor.

 

[Timark80]

I just got this from one of my friends that still sells Bobcats. He said to replace the covers around the cylinders when they get torn in the woods and really take the time to clean your engine compartment. He knows of quite a few that have burned and thinks that the forestry kit gives the operator a false sense of security.

Covers around the cylinders? Mine are covered with steel plates and I always blow radiators and engine/turbo compartment out at least every 4-8 hrs per day depending on conditions.
No debris accumulating to speak of in that short of time unless you work under tall pines with a lot of dead pine needles raining down on you.
I guess some use a type of cover on the rear lift cylinders?

 

[fishfactor]

Just looked at my tool. It's size 16.

 

[Timark80]

Thanks for the tool info.Around here they go for about $97 from bc.
I found a pattern for the tool and will eventually get around to it.

 

[yellowdogsvc]

Had the same problem on '08 s330. Just replaced radiator a few months ago before trading machine.

It's common for the bobcat radiators to leak or get damaged from what I have been told. Three of my machines over the last 6 years had radiator leaks. I know I damaged the fins removing the condenser and oil cooler but the other two leaked at the seam that you described.

Changing in the field can be a chore if you have high flow and installation can damage the new one. Kind of a PITA.