• Thank you for visiting HeavyEquipmentForums.com! Our objective is to provide industry professionals a place to gather to exchange questions, answers and ideas. We welcome you to register using the "Register" icon at the top of the page. We'd appreciate any help you can offer in spreading the word of our new site. The more members that join, the bigger resource for all to enjoy. Thank you!

John Deere 550G Oil in Coolant

B

bradleyt0515

Member
Joined
Apr 17, 2020
Messages
11
Location
NY
Have a 1987 550G w/ 5500 hrs.

Noticed I'm getting some oil (appears to be engine oil) in the coolant. Getting a film and some residual at the filler neck of the radiator.

Machine is running great. Does lose a bit of oil after 8-10hrs of use. Oil looks clean. Seems to be leaking into coolant somewhere.

Any ideas where to start looking?
 
mg2361

mg2361

Senior Member
Joined
Jul 5, 2016
Messages
5,124
Location
Pennsylvania
Occupation
Equipment Mechanic
My money says either the engine oil cooler, or your cylinder liners. When the engine is cold from sitting overnight, crack the drain plug loose enough to let a little fluid drain. Does pure oil come out or a little antifreeze?
 
Mcrafty1

Mcrafty1

Senior Member
Joined
Oct 12, 2019
Messages
445
Location
Central Maine
Occupation
Earth work
My money is on the oil cooler, there's more oil pressure than water pressure so if the oil in the base doesn't appear to have water in it it's probably the oil cooler, oil in the base should appear milky if checked during the operation of the engine if there is much water in it. However like mg2361 stated...after sitting overnight the water will sink to the bottom of the base.
 
B

bradleyt0515

Member
Joined
Apr 17, 2020
Messages
11
Location
NY
The oil in the crankcase looks perfect and nice and clean. It just get's a little low after some use and I top it off as needed.

What parts am I looking at getting here? I'd like to make sure I have everything I need when I pull it apart so I'm not waiting on any gaskets or O-Rings I missed.

I'm thinking the following:

Qty. (6) of Part-1
Qty. (1) of Part-2
Qty. (1) of Part-3
Qty. (2) of Part-4

Thanks

upload_2022-8-19_11-9-33.png
 
mg2361

mg2361

Senior Member
Joined
Jul 5, 2016
Messages
5,124
Location
Pennsylvania
Occupation
Equipment Mechanic
Was that checked at the drain plug?

If you order RE522821, it will it should include #'s 1, 3, 4 and 5. You will also need #8 and 18. The assembly should also upgrade to a cast iron housing (#5) and not the aluminum housing.

oil cooler.png
 
mg2361

mg2361

Senior Member
Joined
Jul 5, 2016
Messages
5,124
Location
Pennsylvania
Occupation
Equipment Mechanic
You should let the engine sit overnight. Then crack the drain plug loose and see if any coolant comes out. There could be enough coolant in there to drip out without turning your oil milky. While I don't expect you to find any coolant in the oil with an oil cooler failure, it is worth checking just the same.
 
B

bradleyt0515

Member
Joined
Apr 17, 2020
Messages
11
Location
NY
Well Plan A failed miserably. Ordered the new Oil Cooler Parts from John Deere and I got the wrong parts because I have an older engine model.

I'm thinking I need part #10 and few gaskets now. Part #26A (housing) is discontinued and no longer available. The housing seems to be fine, I'm hoping it's just the cooler inside which looks to be a small heat exchanger.

Turns out the oil cooler is this model:
upload_2022-8-31_10-59-57.png
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top