2305 oil leak

[SI2305]

Hi all,

this is the first post I have written about a problem with my 2305. I have a very slow oil leak that appears to be comming from under the front axel. The rate of oil loss is slow--it makes perhaps a dime sized spot over the course of an evening. I am not overly worried in the immediate sense but I don't want this to get out of control--way too much money at stake. I have noticed that the tie rods are oily as is the little plastic cover that protects the forward gear connection. The oil is very clean--not engine oil. I have checked the front dipstick on the front axel and as far as I can tell, the oil is fine there, it is so clean it is actually hard to determine the oil volume, but when I tip it sideways, the oil starts to drip roughly from the safe zone--again, this is clean oil and almost invisible on the dipstick.

I also have overfilled the hydro resevoir. The little site glass is always full. I realize I put in too much, but this is a past issue now. The weather has gotten warmer and I have been told that there is an oil vent kinda under the seat to prevent excessive oil pressure.

So my questions are

1) where is this oil comming from. Is it the tranny oil migrating up front? if so I see no other indication of oil except right under the front axel

2) if it is the front axel, how did it start to leak now? Is there a gasket or seal that just now gave out? Does it need imminent replacing or can I wait for the grass to stop growing so quickly?

3) Is there a way to prevent this in the future?

4) will regular checks and additions take care of any drips

5) Am I missing any big piture?

Thanks for all the thoughts and information,

SI2305

 

[beenthere]

Check too that the front axle isn't filled over the suggested level.
Oil will warm with use and increase in volume, which may be what you are seeing.
I keep the dip stick plug loose so the increase in oil volume doesn't build up pressure against the seals.

 

[rsewill]

The front axle is sealed and will build some pressure when warm. I vented my filler/dip stick cap by drilling a hole with the smallest bit I have.

 

[SI2305]

Beenthere,

I have visually checked the front axel and it is not obviously too high. As for the dipstick, the oil is so low that I can just barely read it and I even have to turn it sideways and judge "full" by the bead of oil that forms as it starts to drip. The bead seems to be in the middle of the normal range, so all that I can tell is that it apprears to have sufficient oil.

rsewill,

Are you suggesting that ambient heating from outside and from the engine operation would be enough to force some oil out to relieve pressure. If so, this would explain its current behaviour.


This morning when I checked, I had my usual nickle sized drop that had fallen on some papers I put on the floor. I was hoping this would help me track down the leak but unfortunately the area directly above actually appeared dry. Could this mean that the oil is leaking only when the tractorruns and stops when off? If so, would this just be heating that pushes the oil out?

Thanks in advance,

SI2305

 

[jsb2b]

So where is this spot on the paper? Under the axle by a wheel? Under the boot where the FWD shaft enters the front end? There have been a couple of recent threads discussing replacement of the driveshaft seal that was leaking. This is not a oil under pressure leak. This is not a venting problem. It's a gravity leak most probably from a leaking seal.

 

[billyboy2]

jsb2b is correct....check to make sure the drop of oil is coming from the boot in front where the shaft for the MFWD goes in...I had that same problem with mine and I changed the seal just 3 weeks ago.

I took some pictures while I was doing it so I might just post them

 

[billyboy2]

Here are a few pictures...Took about an hour to change:thumbsup:

 

[SI2305]

JSB2B,

The leak appears to be right under the boot. If this is a seal, how hard is it to replace? Is it something I could do myself? (moderate mechanical skills) or would it have to be an expensive dealer replacement.

I checked again and I would say the leak is on the order of a quarter size per night. Not a huge amount but I certainly don't want it to increase.

SI2305

 

[billyboy2]

I have little to no mechanical skills and replacing was not hard. Just use the right tools..

You'll need a pair of snap ring pliers and a spring pin punch to separate the drive axle from the front differential...

 

[rsewill]

Beenthere,
rsewill,

Are you suggesting that ambient heating from outside and from the engine operation would be enough to force some oil out to relieve pressure. If so, this would explain its current behaviour.

This morning when I checked, I had my usual nickle sized drop that had fallen on some papers I put on the floor. I was hoping this would help me track down the leak but unfortunately the area directly above actually appeared dry. Could this mean that the oil is leaking only when the tractorruns and stops when off? If so, would this just be heating that pushes the oil out?

I had a leaky axle seal when I bought my used Deere 4100. After fixing it and also reading all the posts containing the search term '4100' I decided to vent the front axle by venting the filler cap/dip stick. So after drilling the smallest hole I could, then I filled the hole with my grease gun and, for other reasons, took it for a one mile drive on a cool evening. I found the gun grease had all pushed out indicating heat caused pressure build-up. I don't use my 4100 in the rain although I do in the snow. And the vent hole is pretty small so I'm not worried about dirt.

I agree your leak is a seal that needs to be fixed. Your call as to whether you next want to vent it to keep pressure from becoming a contributing factor to a leak..