Jimbrown
Veteran Member
yep the one that gets me is a simple project that should only need a screwdriver and pair of pliers and three hours later I got every tool I own out and it still ain't fixed.
When things go wrong, they go wrong.
- Thread starter JimR
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I use to have one of those Craftsman tractors too. It died a heavy death too. I too was always repairing something on it. Then I got smart and junked it. I went to Lechmere's and bought a brand new MTD luxury model 46" with Hydro. I still am using that one after 11 years. Cuts like a mean machine with 18 hp B&S in normal grass. My son has abused it beyond belief more than once. Broken front axle spindle, bent blades, snapped belts, broken front axle, bent mower deck hanger arms, wheel bushings and a host of other things. Now I am the only user and it has been pretty good since a major overhaul. I should have killed the kid more than once for what he did to this mower.
dancer
Bronze Member
1. When all the tools have come out, you should begin to realize that you've tackled another project from ****.Jimbrown said:
2. When you break two tools, including one that costs more than whatever you're trying to repair, you know you're working on a project from ****.
3. When you acquire the belief that no project you're working on will be complete until it has drawn your blood ...
4. Axiom: Every project takes longer and costs more.
I just pulled the oil cooler off my Cub. I did a pressure test on it by filling it with hydraulic fluid. I plugged up one end and used a rubber ended air nozzle in the other end. I put 100 psi of air into the cooler and it didn't leak. Now my thinking is that one or more of the O ring type washers on the hose ends is leaking. I'll be happy to replace four of those.
California
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I used to work construction with a guy who learned English as an adult. Apparently self-taught.Farwell said:
I SHOULDA STOOD IN BED!!! was his favorite expression.
Soundguy
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So where's that cooler leaking that it is unrepairable?
Soundguy
Soundguy
Soundguy said:
It appeared to be leaking in the top row between the fin and top mounting plate. This was when it was installed in the tractor. When I tested it on the bench it didn't leak. I washed the cooler down with carb cleaner and blow dried it with air. That has led me to think the hose connection O rings are leaking and the oil is going down the backside and onto the fins. The engine fan must be sucking the oil to the back. I checked it again yesterday and the top fin is wet again. I'm hoping that the O rings (cheap) are the problem. I had the cooler under pressure for two minutes with no sign of oil leakage when I tested it.
3RRL
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Jim,
How did you test it on the bench? Under air pressure only? Reason I ask is when I water test my injection molds for water leaks, I fill the entire system with water and then pressurize it to approximately what pressure it will operate at or a few pounds over. I have done this using only air and even under 175lbs pressure....find no leaks with the air. For some unkown phenomena, sometimes they would leak when water was put in? So either the water shows more clearly (or is noticeable) when leaking or when the system is under greater pressure the material pressurizes small leaks or folds and shuts itself (them) off? I don't know what it is, but I tell you this from personal experience. So now I only test with given media and working pressure for leaks.
How did you test it on the bench? Under air pressure only? Reason I ask is when I water test my injection molds for water leaks, I fill the entire system with water and then pressurize it to approximately what pressure it will operate at or a few pounds over. I have done this using only air and even under 175lbs pressure....find no leaks with the air. For some unkown phenomena, sometimes they would leak when water was put in? So either the water shows more clearly (or is noticeable) when leaking or when the system is under greater pressure the material pressurizes small leaks or folds and shuts itself (them) off? I don't know what it is, but I tell you this from personal experience. So now I only test with given media and working pressure for leaks.
I put the cooler in my bench vise holding it by the lower bracket. I filled the cooler up with hydraulic oil. I blocked off one side of the cooler using the original bolt and two O ring washers and a spacer. The other side I used for my air line with 100 psi to it. It has a large rubber end on it which works perfect for this. I held it there for around 2 minutes and didn't see any sign of leakage. I don't think the hydraulic oil system has anywhere near 100 psi through the cooler or it would blow up.
