L2501 Coolant leak - possible engine block damage

[Repair]

Solution - OrangeMAn suggested it might be behind the loader frame and the block - I pulled the lower bolts on the loader mount and antifreeze trapped in the blind pocket behind the frame came out!

So I was doing some maintenance on my sons 2017 L2501 and I noticed it has a coolant leak that looks like it is coming from the side of the engine block behind the frame.

I had installed a coolant heater and replaced the coolant since the unit has almost 200 hours but you can see it's bone dry.

I was a professional mechanic for 30 years so I'm good at finding leaks but I can't find where it is coming from, it looks like it's coming from the engine block between the bock and the engine frame.

Has anyone seen this before?

.

 

[Daren Todd]

I'm thinking the coolant is traveling along the frame and your leak is in a different location.

 

[mdhughes]

Have you checked the overflow hose going to the overflow tank?

How much are you loosing? If you wipe off the bottom of the frame and oil pan, does it show back up while the tractor is just sitting?

 

[Repair]

I'm thinking the coolant is traveling along the frame and your leak is in a different location.

That's what I thought but I looked very thoroughly and the rest of the engine is dry.

I removed the loader, hood and side covers to get a better look.

 

[Repair]

Have you checked the overflow hose going to the overflow tank?

How much are you loosing? If you wipe off the bottom of the frame and oil pan, does it show back up while the tractor is just sitting?

I have looked everywhere, I removed the loader, hood and side cover looking for it.

Yes, it shows up while sitting, this it from sitting one day.

 

[Orange man]

There are open pockets on both sides of the block that do not drain, maybe from when you put on the block heater you spilled some in that spot. Pull the front loader bracket bolts out and see if it drains out. When I first got my 2501 I had oil dripping out on other side, When I pulled the the loader bolts out oil ran out. It toke weeks of spraying brake kleen in holes to get it all dried up. Lots of places for stuff to get trapped between frame and block

 

[Repair]

Here are some additional images.

 

[Repair]

There are open pockets on both sides of the block that do not drain, maybe from when you put on the block heater you spilled some in that spot. Pull the front loader bracket bolts out and see if it drains out. When I first got my 2501 I had oil dripping out on other side, When I pulled the the loader bolts out oil ran out. It toke weeks of spraying brake kleen in holes to get it all dried up. Lots of places for stuff to get trapped between frame and block

Thanks, I blew in between the frame and the block but I haven't tried removing the loader mounting bolts.....I will and report what I find!

 

[Orange man]

They should have left a way for stuff to drain out. I drilled two tiny drain holes in mine. There are several low spots along the side of the casting, so very hard to get all cleaned out.

 

[swpflipper]

I would suggest using a pressure tester to confirm that a leak exists.
I also use dye to trace difficult leaks.
Possible that a blind bolt hole was compromised by one of the loader bolts.

 

[Lil Foot]

Possible that a blind bolt hole was compromised by one of the loader bolts.

That was my first thought.

 

[Orange man]

The loader bolts do not go into the block, the welded blocks on frame are through holes.

 

[Repair]

There are open pockets on both sides of the block that do not drain, maybe from when you put on the block heater you spilled some in that spot. Pull the front loader bracket bolts out and see if it drains out. When I first got my 2501 I had oil dripping out on other side, When I pulled the the loader bolts out oil ran out. It toke weeks of spraying brake kleen in holes to get it all dried up. Lots of places for stuff to get trapped between frame and block

I can't thank you enough!

I pulled the lower bolts on the loader mount and antifreeze came out of the blind pocket behind the loader frame!

 

[swpflipper]

Simple fix. Clean surfaces and proper torque.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Solution - OrangeMAn suggested it might be behind the loader frame and the block - I pulled the lower bolts on the loader mount and antifreeze came out!

Clarification please.
Are you saying:
When you pulled the bolts antifreeze came out of the block
or
When I pulled the bolts trapped antifreeze in the pocket behind the frame came out?

 

[Repair]

Clarification please.
Are you saying:
When you pulled the bolts antifreeze came out of the block
or When I pulled the bolts trapped antifreeze in the pocket behind the frame came out?

Sorry I was unclear, trapped antifreeze in the pocket behind the frame came out.

I updated my post.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Ok excellent to hear!

 

[dlundblad]

I know this is a little old, but I’m having the same issue. I’m curious when the heater was installed vs when the leak was noticed.

I installed my block heater November 2020. Noticed a leak like in the photos early spring. I thought it cleared up, but I noticed some coolant drops while it was parked over my oil change pan just yesterday.

I have no other signs of leaks beside what’s in my photos. No coolant lose either. I would think if it was a left over mess, the coolant wouldn’t appear so clean though.

 

[McK9]

Just received my L2501 w/ implements this week. I was concerned when I discovered coolant on the oil pan, but couldn't find an obvious source. I stumbled across this thread; I pulled the bottom loader bolt - presto, a load of coolant dumped out the hole, fixing the 'problem'. Thank you!

edit: [I had a block heater installed at the dealership before delivery - so I'm 99% certain that's where the coolant came from. Seems like a weep hole in the loader should be added - or at least a step added to the block hear install process to drain by pulling the bottom loader bolts]

 

[lugbolt]

often the lower radiator hose leaks a little-they may not have gotten the clamp tight enough. The engine cooling fan blows everything backwards so if there's a fluid leak of any kind, it gets blowed around, and the source can be tough to find.

Usually the best option is to pressurize the system via cooling system pressure tester. You may be able to rent one at your local auto shack or oreily advance bumper to bumper napa they're basically all the same stuff. Once you have 10-15 psi (max 15) the leak should be mostly apparent and from there you can decide whether you are going to take care of it or the dealer is going to.

The standard L's (2501, 3301/3302/3901/3902) the loader bolts dont' really go into the block. Some of the older tractors did.