Accidental Mixing of Oils

[JimMorrissey]

Question for you'll.....My uncle has a boat with "bow thrusters" to move the bow around while docking. The bow thruster prop operates via hydraulic motor. There is a hydraulic pump run by the same engine that runs the generator and a 23 gallon hydraulic reservoir. By accident my uncle put two gallons of motor oil into 21 gallons of hydraulic oil a few days after he changed the hydraulic oil to "top if off" as he said /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

My question is: What negative consequences are there with this mix of oils and should he drain the system? That's a lot of oil to drain, it's hard to do while "motoring".

I don't believe the system is under tremendous pressure.....It's just a hydraulic motor that runs a prop. The pump is in the rear of the boat and the motor is in the front. The distance is about 60'. This helps the operator to move the bow around while docking the beast and can be moved left to right depending on which direction you need to move the bow or fight the wind.

 

[Soundguy]

Take this for what it is worth... I know many hyd systems that are specced to take engine oil.

Some heavy transmissions on earth moving equipment our company owns can take a variety of oils.. like sae 30 or 40w.. or UTF.. etc.

My guess is 2g's in 23 won't hurt it. If its a horribly expensive part.. I may opt to change the oil and call it a lesson learned.. to know what you are pouring where.

Soundguy

 

[Soundguy]

To say it another way.. I'd rather have engine oil mixed in my hyd system than have hyd oil mixed in my crankcase.. etc.

Soundguy

 

[_RaT_]

<font color="blue">To say it another way.. I'd rather have engine oil mixed in my hyd system than have hyd oil mixed in my crankcase.. etc.
</font>

I agree.

 

[HuckBB62]

As expensive as parts are, I'd change the oil at first opportunity. It won't "kill" it but the two oils do have different properties.

 

[JimMorrissey]

OK, I agree too, but the question remains......What to do? He's in his early 70s and in good shape, but not a spring chicken.

I can't believe he did that. He's no dummy either....Chief of Surgury at a major hospital in NY. Maybe that why it happened, he spent too many years with his hands clean /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[BoneheadNW]

O.K., I can't resist. Maybe they should check his patient's blood for hydro fluid. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Hey, what do ya want? It's Father's Day and I'm livin like a king!

Bonehead

 

[frank_f15]

IT probably wont hurt the system, But ( there is always a but) i would change it just to be safe. i have no clue how big a job it would be(not familiar with boats) JUst my thoughts but as a lot of you know i am STRANGE /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[davefr]

Hydraulic oil is still oil. A 1:10 dilution with motor oil won't hurt a thing.

 

[RedRocker]

Bow thrusters? Sounds more like a ship! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif