1550 Diesel Leaking Oil

These are pretty basic questions so forgive my ignorance (Oliver newbie), but since I don't have any manuals I was hoping for some help from the experts on this forum. I acquired a 1550 diesel with a new piece of property recently and it's leaking some kind of oil and I'm not able to identify where it's coming from. So I have two questions....

1) Do these 1550s have any known or typical oil leak issues I should know about and if so, where can I look to confirm where it might be coming from? I assume that I have a bad seal somewhere and wondering if it's something serious or if I can just keep adding oil and not worry too much about it until I'm able to get it repaired.

2) What and where are all the fluid levels I should check to make sure I'm not critically low on anything? I know where the engine oil stick is and I stumbled across what I think is the hydraulic oil (below the seat between my feet). Is there anything else I should check relative to the oil leak I'm experiencing?

Thanks in advance.

Is it dripping from the engine? The middle of the tractor? In back around the PTO and remotes?

(quoted from post at 06:23:30 06/14/22) Is it dripping from the engine? The middle of the tractor? In back around the PTO and remotes?

Click to expand...

It appears to be dripping in multiple places along the bottom frame of the tractor. It's hard to identify where it's dripping from because I don't see actually drips on the tractor, only oil on the floor of my shop and it seems to be multiple drips locations based on the puddles on the floor. Mostly mid to rear of tractor.

If you have Hydrapower it will have the same cap/dipstick. It takes Dextron ATF, 6 quarts. You didn't identify where the leak is. Mine leaks from
the bottom of the steering cylinder even though I replaced the quad ring twice. I suspect the piston seals are bad causing pressure in the center
section. You really need the operator and service manuals.
Transmission/rear end oil level plug. It should be replaced with the elbow, nipples and cap to raise the capacity by two gallons.

Could also be the O-ring here.

What are the Colour and smells of fluids as well as location while sitting on level ground? The tractor will have engine oil, trans hydraulic
fluid, gear oil and straight hydraulic fluids, possible auto transmission fluid also in addition the radiator fluids and fuel. 50 year old tractors
can and will leak from multiple points, however the good news is that many of the leak points can be managed with relatively minor
intervention ( seals, gaskets, tightening bolts etc.)



There is another dipstick to check on the power shift between the engine and transmission. I think the gear oil level is checked by pulling a
plug at the back of the case. You add gear oil until it runs out of the plug hole to reach the level. At least thats how you do it on the 1550
model. Lots of fluid running out of the transmission level plug hole can indicate an internal hydraulic oil leak or water in the transmission.



Giving it a good hot pressure wash with some degreaser will help in locating leaks as the fluids can travel along the frame making it difficult
to identify specific leak points. Look above the front axel for leaks from the power steering cylinder and work you way back.



I bought a tractor a couple of years ago that was leaking like the Exxon Valdez. it has taken a bit of time but it is now leaking no worse
than an English motorcycle. Zero leaks on a Vintage tractor may not be a realistic goal but you should be able to get the leaks down to an
acceptable level.

Mike.... mine has the elbow and nipple as you have pictured also. So what is the dipstick that's below the seat (between your legs)?

Oil from the HP will travel to the lowest point of the tub and will coat the whole bottom of the main case. Wipe it dry and check often for new
drips. Rear leaks can be the lift arm supports or PTO but both will be 90 wt. gear lube.

Dave.... I will definitely pressure wash it, but is there any concern about direct pressure washing of the engine? Any components I should avoid when washing?

Thanks.

That's your hydraulic fluid. The hydraulic unit is under the seat above the rear end/tranny, separated from the rear end by a pan. If the hydraulic fluid leaks it's usually through the pan or the pump seals and into the rear end, and not usually a visible leak. You find out when your rear end is overfull and your hydraulics aren't working correctly. If you lose your steering that's not good. External hydraulic unit leaks are generally very easy to spot.

The front half of the tractor should be pretty resistant to water coming in. Blast away without worries just make sure your caps
are all on tight. The main problem with these older Olivers is the rubber boot on the gear shift lever base gets degraded and rain
can get into the transmission through cracks and sometimes they are completely missing. If you are seeing oil leaks around the top
plate of the transmission then in theory you could also blast water into that crack as well. I always try to get a bit of a
downwards angle when washing sealing surfaces to minimize damage to gaskets and seals.

The tractor manuals for the 50 and 55 series are really a great investment. Simple to follow and well illustrated with pictures and
schematics. I bet Amazon can get one to your house by Friday for less than the cost of a good steak.

That's the hydraulic. Check the level with the lift raised. The rear end fluid should be up to the cap. 80W-90.

So I found 3 dipsticks and want to make sure of my assumptions for what they are. Please let me know if not.....

This is in the front left side and should be the engine oil. It shows full but can anyone tell me the recommended type of oil to use if I ever need to add some?


This is mid-left side under the fuel sediment bowl/shutoff and should be the transmission fluid. I believe Mike said it should take Dextron ATF (6 quarts). Is that correct? This is low and I need to add some.


This is between my legs under the seat and should be the hydraulic fluid. I believe this should be 90W gear oil and should be filled until the oil starts coming out of the plug shown in the picture below. This also appears low and needs some added.




Are all my assumptions above correct?

Are there any other dipsticks or fluid levels that I should be mindful of (other than the coolant and fuel)?

Thanks again for everyone's assistance as I learn this tractor. I'll be ordering an operators manual for sure and possibly a shop manual also very soon.

The hydraulic reservoir by the seat needs hydraulic fluid (any universal) not 90w. Fill to the level shown on the dipstick.

80-90w is for the tranny. The fill for the tranny is on the floorboard by the gear shift. You fill there until it comes out the plug in your last pic.

Engine oil is whatever you like. I use 15w40. The two speed (hydrapower) takes ATF as you stated.

I should add that with that elbow plug the rear end probably holds somewhere in the range of 10-11 gallons.

Only thing I'll throw in is, pull the dipstick on that hydrapower and see if it even needs ATF. If it does, don't just start
dumping mass quantities in there. It only holds 5 or 6 quarts to begin with. Don't over fill it.

OK, I think I'm getting closer to understanding now but want to summarize for one last verification.....

1) Engine - Fill with 15W-40 (or weight of choice) into the dipstick hole until full on dipstick.

2) Tranny - Fill with 80-90W into floorboard next to the gear shift until it comes out the elbow plug.

3) Hydrapower - Fill with ATF into the diptstick hole until full on dipstick.

4) Hyrdaulics - Fill with hydraulic fluid into dipstick hole until full on dipstick.

Did I get that all right? Please advice if not.

Apologies for my ignorance. This tractor is pretty foreign to me and I'm learning slowly. Thanks.

Correct.

(quoted from post at 11:25:09 06/15/22) Correct.

Click to expand...

Great.... Thanks everyone for the guidance (and patience).

Correct. The 1550 used the same main case as the 1650 but different internals. Originally 8 gallons but the 1650 trans had an oil pump. There was a
service bulletin issued to add the elbow raising the capacity to ten gallons.