D-2 Cat oil cooler leaking

GeneMO · May 25, 2016

I have a leak in the oil cooler in this little Cat. I got to thinking about maybe plumbing it out of the system. Just put a hose between the outlet and inlet where it goes into the oil filter housing. Make a loop and run the oil right back in. Then plug the fittings on the oil cooler.

I rarely run this machine for more than two or three hours, and then dont run it hard. An engine that small doesn't seem like it would need to have the oil cooled.

If this is not an acceptable idea, wonder how I could test for a leak? I know it is leaking, just where is the question, and could I repair it on the machine.

I think some models had the oil cooler so it could be removed, but I dont think I can get the oil cooler out without taking the whole radiator off.

Thanks, Gene

37chief · May 25, 2016

I don't think that will be a problem. I have a AC Model M about the same size as your D-2. The motor doesn't have an oil cooler and seams to do just fine. Stan

oldtanker · May 25, 2016

(quoted from post at 13:13:36 05/25/16) I have a leak in the oil cooler in this little Cat. I got to thinking about maybe plumbing it out of the system. Just put a hose between the outlet and inlet where it goes into the oil filter housing. Make a loop and run the oil right back in. Then plug the fittings on the oil cooler.

I rarely run this machine for more than two or three hours, and then dont run it hard. An engine that small doesn't seem like it would need to have the oil cooled.

If this is not an acceptable idea, wonder how I could test for a leak? I know it is leaking, just where is the question, and could I repair it on the machine.

I think some models had the oil cooler so it could be removed, but I dont think I can get the oil cooler out without taking the whole radiator off.

Thanks, Gene

Actually bypassing the cooler on the D2 and 4's was a Cat recommended repair IIRC.

Rick

Janicholson · May 25, 2016

In addition You could put a accessory oil cooler external to the radiator, and abandon the one inside. Jim

Billy NY · May 25, 2016

What serial number pre-fix is the tractor ?

You may be able to find somewhere that it was determined these were not necessary any more. That was also the general consensus by many that posted over on ACMOC years ago.

I cannot recall the reason, improvements in oil could be part of this. Caterpillar was instrumental in improving oils as early on there were problems oil with performance in their tractors.

These I believe have an oil bypass, so that if the filters are clogged, oil will bypass the housing and continue to be circulated. My only concern would be to make sure that feature is intact when eliminating the cooler.

My newer D7 of the same period is bypassed, someone just looped a hose from the supply/return lines and connected them together.

You may be able to repair yours, but I think these coolers were all steel, (made by Modine - the same company that makes unit heaters- click on the link below) so...these may eventually be not feasible to repair, which contributed to these tractors oil coolers early obsolescence.
Modine Manufacturing

Phil in MI · May 25, 2016

Gene I have a 5U and that oil cooler is separate of the radiator, you do not have to remove the radiator to get them apart. If you decide to take it
apart I can send you a copy of the oil cooler removal instructions and tell you how I leak tested mine. My radiator and oil cooler both leaked when I
bought the tractor, I was able to repair both at the same time. I don't work the tractor enough to need the oil cooler but I'm glad I was able to
repair it.

Moonlite37 · May 25, 2016

I bypassed the one on my John Deere 450-C

GeneMO · May 25, 2016

All these replies are making me feel a whole lot better. I figured if I could find the hole it would be a mother to repair. And didn't know about the steel core issue either.

The serial # is 5u5179

Thanks, Gene

D-2 Cat oil cooler leaking

GeneMO

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37chief

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oldtanker

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Janicholson

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Billy NY

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Phil in MI

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Moonlite37

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GeneMO

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