550 radiator and transmission cooler

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DSG
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550 radiator and transmission cooler

Post by DSG » Sun Jan 14, 2018 6:05 pm

I asked about water in 550 dozer transmission and thank those who responeded...this 550 has a oil lines that enter/exit bottom of radiator it is a bolt together radiator top and bottom. Bottom is where oil lines enter/exit; inside the bottom is where oil is cooled by water its like a radiator within a radiator so that is where leak is.

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Re: 550 radiator and transmission cooler

Post by JWB Contracting » Sun Jan 14, 2018 9:44 pm

Can you taste antifreeze in the oil? We have continual problems with moisture in 450 and 550 transmission that are not related to the cooler.
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DSG
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Re: 550 radiator and transmission cooler

Post by DSG » Mon Jan 15, 2018 8:43 am

I did not taste the oil, never thought of that, good idea but, after we drained water and got it to radiator shop noticed specks of oil draining out of the water side of radiator, so I will now for sure when I pick it up today.

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amos
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Re: 550 radiator and transmission cooler

Post by amos » Mon Jan 15, 2018 8:59 am

I've never been one for tasting anything but food.Could probably do it for 40 years and not get cancer of the tongue but why take the risk? There are companies all over the net that will do an oil analysis and one of the reads is for glycol(anti-freeze). Around $50.00 and takes 7-10 days.They also check for iron,chromium,etc and gives you an excellent indication of what is going on with hydraulic system and engine oil system(2 different samples).
Amos
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What's ahead is what matters. What's behind is already done.
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DSG
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Re: 550 radiator and transmission cooler

Post by DSG » Mon Jan 15, 2018 10:29 pm

The 550 radiator oil cooler has a hole in it, so thats where the water is coming from, looking for a good oil cooler tank that will fit my 550 , serial # 238855T....I have no idea what year that is, local JD dealer says there not in stock anymore. I understand that there are two size cores, 56 core radiators and 58 core, it could be one or the other. The cost of a new used one is close of $3000.00. Radiator shop said nothing ever good came out of trying to fix oil coolers, factory manual says don't try and fix it, so I'm taking there collective advice.
Radiator shop has some sources there checking into.

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psprague
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Re: 550 radiator and transmission cooler

Post by psprague » Tue Jan 16, 2018 3:03 pm

Oil testing is quite common in aircraft, pilots have this thing about motors and unplanned stoppages.

I've tasted used oil before but never by choice so if it were to have the fullness of Rotella but with a bouquet of ethylene glycol, I wouldn't have a clue. I'd be more afraid of the heavy metals though.
JD 450c forestry, JD 440A cable skidder

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amos
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Re: 550 radiator and transmission cooler

Post by amos » Tue Jan 16, 2018 5:09 pm

DSG:
I build HVAC coils for a living(own the joint) and if I understand correctly your lower tank has the oil cooler passes within that part of the radiator and no where else.It would seem that replacing the tube bundle for the oil cooler would be possible,I use East Texas Radiator in Longview Texas. Their number is 903-753-7286.
Older shop (no web-site) and they've done wonders for me on old radiators.Maybe call them and tell them what you have and chances are they've done similar repair/re-tube before.
At my factory we could make a copper tube heat exchanger bundle but then it would have to be fabbed into the tank itself.
Another option would be to mount an aftermarket oil cooler to the front of the radiator and use it as primary oil cooler. On the existing oil cooler lines going to the cooler in the radiator simply cap those so you don't lose coolant via the bad oil cooler connections.
Amos
Pushin hard or diggin deep life is good.
What's ahead is what matters. What's behind is already done.
A fool of a man is he who doesn't ask questions...
God gave us 2 ears and 1 mouth for a reason...

DSG
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Re: 550 radiator and transmission cooler

Post by DSG » Tue Jan 16, 2018 9:55 pm

Amos
Thanks for the help. I pickup the radiator from shop and took the cooler tank off the bottom, and it has been patched before, new leak is about 3/4 inch from old patch. I called an outfit called Old Tractor they have one that was made by one of their suppliers $1300.00 range. Have a lead on another shop in the south (Alabama) have to check it out. I don't think it is wise to patch this one, it looks rotten.

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amos
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Re: 550 radiator and transmission cooler

Post by amos » Wed Jan 17, 2018 5:49 am

Hi DSG,
Would love to see the cooler bundle if you can post a pic.
Amos
Pushin hard or diggin deep life is good.
What's ahead is what matters. What's behind is already done.
A fool of a man is he who doesn't ask questions...
God gave us 2 ears and 1 mouth for a reason...

DSG
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Re: 550 radiator and transmission cooler

Post by DSG » Wed Jan 17, 2018 10:51 pm

amos,
I have a picture, I don't konw how to post it.

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jsal
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Re: 550 radiator and transmission cooler

Post by jsal » Thu Jan 18, 2018 5:53 am

might want to check with Detroit radiator have plants all over the US they are builders of radiators and heat exchangers I have used them for re cores best prices around.

DSG
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Re: 550 radiator and transmission cooler

Post by DSG » Sun Jan 21, 2018 10:27 am

Amos and others'
Contacted Broken Tractor ( Baton Rouge Lousiana) claimed they had the correct oil cooler for 550 G. I however have a radiator from 550 or 550 A and did not know that until I looked at there web site. They donot have a pattern for my oil cooler, but offerd to make one if I would send the cooler. Wanted to use my cooler for a pattern for future sales. Cost would be $695.00. Then after some discussion said if I would ship the complete radiator, they would clean, repair and test everything with new oil cooler attached. I had to pay freight one way $140.00. The shop in town was 225.00 to clean repair and install new gaskets, after I secured new oil cooler. I took the deal. If any one needs tractor parts seems like a good source for parts 800-909-7060 ask for Nick

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