2007 T1510 Losing antifreeze

[78CJ]

About a year ago I smelled a little antifreeze while standing behind my 1510. I let it cool and it in fact was low so I added some. After that I have continued to smell it and for the life of me can not figure out where it is leaking. I had borrowed a pressure tester but could not adapt it to the radiator. There is never a drop of coolant on the ground. Yesterday I crawled under it again and finally did see some coolant (one drop) on the bottom of the oil filter but now idea where it came from. The was also a little on the oil pan near the drain plug. The trouble is that this is the side with the overflow and it could have probably blown back too because some was dripping out of the overflow. I don't believe it is burning it because you only smell it (very strong) standing at the three point.

Any thoughts?

Thanks

Ryan

 

[the old grind]

Overflow bottle/expansion tank isn't very big. If it isn't petty much empty when cold you might just be over-filling the system. Make sure the hoses to the bottle's cap don't get reversed, or warming up will empty whatever is in the bottle. If there is no second hose from the cap to 'spill over' low to the ground it'll pretty much dump/spit AF onto the injection pump when you're running.

Like with a roof leak, where you see the drip easily misleads to where the problem is. I'm not saying you wouldn't know the difference, but the best way to test a system's integrity is to see that the coolant overflow bottle level changes often between a warm and cold engine. It should be nearly empty when cold, and nearly full when hot. That's it's job. btw, "UP North"? jon

 

[ArtMech]

I have exactly the same issue right now. It was difficult to find where a coolant leaks from. I took a light and went around an engine very accurately until have found a source. It was a water pump pulley's axle. The leaking coolant was evaporating and gave a smell while driving, but no drops when engine stopped. After the belt removal, I've noticed a pulley is a bit shaky, what actually mustn't be.
Now waiting for the new water pump to come.

Not sure if your issue is the same, just shared what has happened in my case.

 

[78CJ]

Overflow bottle/expansion tank isn't very big. If it isn't petty much empty when cold you might just be over-filling the system. Make sure the hoses to the bottle's cap don't get reversed, or warming up will empty whatever is in the bottle. If there is no second hose from the cap to 'spill over' low to the ground it'll pretty much dump/spit AF onto the injection pump when you're running.

Like with a roof leak, where you see the drip easily misleads to where the problem is. I'm not saying you wouldn't know the difference, but the best way to test a system's integrity is to see that the coolant overflow bottle level changes often between a warm and cold engine. It should be nearly empty when cold, and nearly full when hot. That's it's job. btw, "UP North"? jon

No overflow on this model, just a hose to the side of the tank. I Bought it new.

 

[the old grind]

Bottle/tank same thing. Apologies for confusion/terminology. '14 or so T1520 here. White bottle/tank is overflow/expansion. Mine is always full when I park and empty when I start up, vetting the o'all integrity of the cooling system. I don't have a 'spillover hose' from the expansion tank, but I've never seen a drip on or under the tractor. When I took this pic with mere drops of AF in that (this AM) I checked the radiator. It was full to the cap.


btw, I bought this NH new, but there are small differences from the earliest models in the series. If you don't have an expansion tank/bottle, add one. Top it up when hot, only. If it siphons empty when cold, there might not be a leak to worry about. Some things we take for granted when new and don't fret about until we notice something 'different'. There are only so many places coolant can leak from, and I hope yours doesn't lead to downtime. Merry Christmas. t o g

 

[RickB]

Check the block drain fitting near the engine oil filter. They were skimpy on thread sealant in that location for several years.

 

[78CJ]

Check the block drain fitting near the engine oil filter. They were skimpy on thread sealant in that location for several years.

That is the info I am looking for, I did not know there was a block drain by the filter.

 

[78CJ]

Bottle/tank same thing. Apologies for confusion/terminology. '14 or so T1520 here. White bottle/tank is overflow/expansion. Mine is always full when I park and empty when I start up, vetting the o'all integrity of the cooling system. I don't have a 'spillover hose' from the expansion tank, but I've never seen a drip on or under the tractor. When I took this pic with mere drops of AF in that (this AM) I checked the radiator. It was full to the cap.
View attachment 584256

btw, I bought this NH new, but there are small differences from the earliest models in the series. If you don't have an expansion tank/bottle, add one. Top it up when hot, only. If it siphons empty when cold, there might not be a leak to worry about. Some things we take for granted when new and don't fret about until we notice something 'different'. There are only so many places coolant can leak from, and I hope yours doesn't lead to downtime. Merry Christmas. t o g

I had not considered adding my own overflow, that is a great suggestion that will rule out maybe a bad cap.

Thanks

 

[RickB]

Put me on record as saying adding a coolant puke tank is a waste of time and money.

 

[78CJ]

Put me on record as saying adding a coolant puke tank is a waste of time and money.

Duly noted.

However, I am thinking it would consist of a temporary coke bottle zip tied to the frame just to see whats going on. plus, I can use the coke with a little bourbon!