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X485 Coolant Leak?

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CBX485

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
I just purchased a X485 with 746 hours. Machine overall looks to be in great shape. I bought it about a week ago and have only had it running a few times to move it around the garage as needed.

I was out in the garage today and noticed a coolant leak. I traced it upwards as far as I could see (pictures attached).

I was told this machine has been stored inside a heated garage its entire life. It's now in my unheated garage which gets down into the teens the last couple of weeks. Could the 'unusual' cold for this machine be causing this?

I was looking forward to getting some seat time soon but fear I have a bigger problem now... any help is MUCH appreciated!
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Discussion starter · #3 ·
I'm not really sure, I've attached a few more pictures, hopefully that helps...
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#4 ·
Hey CBX485,
My experience is that leaking antifreeze externally is much better than leaking antifreeze internally. Check your antifreeze level before starting. Figure out where the leak is. change the hose or gasket as necessary. Relax. I'm sure it wasn't cheap, but things are going to break. Just fix it and move on.
 
#5 ·
You've taken great close-up pictures, but they are so close that I'm not sure what I am seeing. I believe that the last two pictures are showing the same general area. My guess is either the thermostat housing or the smaller "heater hose" is leaking. It shouldn't be hard to tell when its running, but be sure to top off your antifreeze first.
 
#6 ·
I've always figured the 'metal bits' often shrink more than tired old 'rubber bits' that have stiffened with age.

Gear clamps can sometimes they can be tightened to compensate.

(working theory is that newer 'rubber bits' are springy enough to compensate....?)


Anyway, check for clamps that need a little tightening before trying anything more drastic.
5/16th's socket from a 1/4" drive set is your friend.
 
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Discussion starter · #7 ·
Here are a couple from father away. If the item I circled in red is the thermostat housing, it looks like the leak is coming from farther above. I labeled a couple shots of the hoses #1 & #2... looks like maybe its coming from there?
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#8 ·
The item you circled (for future reference) is the oil pressure switch. The thermostat housing is the big aluminum can with 4 hoses going to it, to the left of the oil filter and directly below the spark plug. I would say that #1 and #2 hoses probably just need new screw clamps. They both go to the water pump/water pump housing at the front of the tractor.
 
#9 ·
More of an annoyance than anything...as long as you don't have anti freeze in your oil...and not blowing white smoke it should not be something really bad...most likely a clamp ate through a hose, or just a loose clamp
 
Discussion starter · #10 ·
Thanks guys, much appreciated! Would you recommend getting new hoses if I'm going to replace the clamps? Any tips or tricks to consider while replacing? I've only had the tractor on a few times since purchasing about a week ago. It definitely 'blows white smoke' but I don't think the engine has even had a chance to warm up fully, so I figure that's normal? This is my first liquid cooled tractor so I definitely have a lot to learn. How would I know if there is antifreeze in the oil without doing a complete oil change/drain?

Last question for the night, for hose #1, should I try and find a screw clamp instead of what's there now? Not sure of the proper name but its the 'self tightening' type.

Thanks again
 
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#11 ·
I prefer stainless steel worm gear type of clamps.....take a look at oil dip stick...if the fluid is in the oil it is quite apparent on the stick.......hoses can get a little expensive, but worth it if you have any doubts to their integrity...Spring is coming, go over the machine yourself ...GREASE every fitting you can find on the machine...if you have a manual, consult it and make sure you got them all....spending the money and doing the work will give you some piece of mind, and familiarize you a bit with the tractor
 
#13 ·
While replacing hoses can become expensive, not replacing them when they need it is even more expensive. I would check the hoses and see how stuff they are. If they are not very flexible, I would replace them. The hoses are at least 15 years old if original.


You can get longer life than 10 years, but rubber does age even if not in use.
 
#14 ·
Agreed with my comrades... I guess the first thing I'd do is wait for a warm enough day and then give that engine a good wash. That will help you find the leak and you won't have to get all grubby fiddling around in there.

For giggles you might also try putting a wrench on those bolts and make sure nothing's loose.

Also yes... those hoses are reaching the end of their life span. You might get a few more years out of them... but you may also bust one, dump your coolant and then a whole 'nuther can of worms is possibly opened.
 
Discussion starter · #15 ·
Thanks guys. Anyone happen to know part #'s for #1 and #2 hoses/clamps?
 
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#16 ·
No part number needed for the clamps really... go online to ebay or Amazon and order yourself up a boxed assortment, they come in a range of various sizes and qualities. Get the good ones with the rounded edges that don't bite into the hoses.

The extras always come in handy... for fuel lines, or when the car needs one replaced, whatever. A good thing to keep in stock.

Dunno about the hose part #s... someone will.
 
#17 ·
Would be a good time to drain the coolant, do a flush and replace. I used distilled water. Fill up and run for about 30 minutes. Drain a d fill up with coolant. I use JD 50/50 mix. Only needs to be done once every few years unless you really accumulate hours every year.

when I purchased my 445 this summer, I had coolant leaking from the weap hole. The water pump went bad. New water pump and gaskets might have been $70. Just something to keep an eye out in the future. As a new guy to all of this, the actual work to replace was quite simple.

JD parts catalog is a good site to bookmark.
 
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#18 ·
It looked like your weep hole on the water pump was wet. But, the fan will blow coolant all over.

In my experience, all the hoses on my X485 needed to be tightened. They all leaked a bit. Once tightened, the leaks were gone. I had gotten that tractor with 33 hours on it. My X750 had seepage on the main hoses. Tightened them and the leak was gone.

I use the premix coolant from John Deere.
 
Discussion starter · #19 ·
I just picked up a 47 snowblower this morning from someone who happens to work on JD garden equipment a lot. I showed him a picture and he immediately said the waterpump needs replacing. He also mentioned the hoses might need tightening but the coolant at the weep hole led him to his diagnosis. He said he's done about 20 of them, anywhere from 300 hours to 2000. I'll let you know how everything turns out. Thanks again!
 
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#20 ·
This might be a good read..........and might help.

www.greentractortalk.com

New to me x485 w/62" deck

Well here she is. I picked it up this morning. It is leaking some antifreeze on the front side of the engine. Which i knew before i purchased it. I am assuming it is the water pump and will be replacing it and the thermostat if it has one. And also replacing the coolant temp sensor. It also...
www.greentractortalk.com www.greentractortalk.com

....
 
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CBX485
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