Suspected Oil Cooler Leak - How to fix "spring clip" joint?

[Chaldaean]

My B3030HSDC sprang a leak and I think it is coming form the "spring clip" joint on the hydraulic oil cooler.

Best case, the fix is to install a new $1.54 o-ring and I'm good to go.

I don't know what the worst case is, but I'm here to try to avoid it.

Does anyone have any previous experience with this?

Thanks!

 

[William1]

Oring should do it, noting looks bent.
As long as the pipes are square to one another and appear undamaged, the oring will most likely fix you up. Over time, they harden and deform, losing elasticity.

 

[Smokeydog]

I’ve had the same problem on the B26 oil cooler twice, same side as yours. Don’t think a very sturdy design. Get a pair of o-rings and replace both sides as it is easier to disconnect both sides to replace one o-ring.

Short pieces of hose with hose clamps connects metal tubing to the coolers on other tractors. Gives flexibility, vibration resistance no leakage issues.

 

[Russell King]

There are upgraded types of o-rings.

I recall they are called x-rings. If you buy new o-rings then you might be able to go to a hydraulic shop and ask if they can get you anything better to seal that joint by using the o-rings for sizeing.

Good luck

 

[Chaldaean]

The first step was to clean all the gunk. Here's a "before" picture:

Here's an "after" picture:

I used a Lisle "Radiator Genie" and it worked great. I also used some foaming engine cleaner.

Replacing the o-rings was straightforward and I also took the opportunity to repaint the cooler.

I think I found something that contributed to this failure. When I was reinstalling the cooler and the fasteners were loose, I noticed that I could wiggle the cooler up and down quite a bit (1/8" or so). Looking further, I noticed that the rubber sections circled in yellow had migrated away from the hold-down over time and this was allowing the wiggle room I was feeling. I suspect that this wiggle room allows the vibrations to move the lower section of the cooler tubing relative to upper section, causing o-ring wear and eventual leakage. Above the spring clip, the cooler tube is tightly affixed via bolts. Below the spring clip, the pipe can move/vibrate. There is a tiny bit of movement permitted at the spring clip joint that is inherent in the design.

I installed eight zip ties to act like collar clamps to help keep the rubber sections under the hold down (the red/black wire is the feed for my phone charger):

Fingers crossed that this does the trick! I will keep an eye on it for any leakage. Thank you for all the support!

 

[GreensvilleJay]

Looks like tractor will run a LOT cooler now !