Hy-Gard Turned Blue

[hillbilly rick]

I recently changed my hydraulic fluid, and when I went to use the leftover fluid from the last time I changed it, it had turned blue. Is this caused by contamination? The building I keep it in is damp, so I thought that maybe this is water contamination. I just opened the new bucket to use this time, but I'm wondering if the blue fluid needs to be recycled or used for brush pile burning. The fluid in the tractor from the same bucket was the normal color.

 

[Tx Jim]

I've never witnessed Hy-gard be blue in color. I became a JD dealer employee in '65 & stayed until Fall of '87. Then I started custom farming/baling with a JD tractor utilizing Hy-gard. Hy-gard in my JD 4255 tractor is pinkish in color from utilizing JD oil dye part # MT3668

 

[oosik]

I looked at the Hy-Gard web site. No mention of "turning blue". If the "turning blue" was an indicator of something major - contamination or age - you would think it would be so stated on their web site. ??????

 

[zzvyb6]

Its not Hy-Gard. I bought fluid specifically for my JLG T350 man-lift and it's blue. This makes it easier to see the oil level in the sight-glass, btw.

You can also buy dye to add color for the same reason.

 

[hillbilly rick]

This seems to be an unusual thing. I have yet to find anyone that has seen this. I have a different bucket for drained fluids, so I am sure I did not accidently dump old stuff in this bucket. Plus, it looks clean, just blue. I am not going to use it to be safe, but I'd like to know what causes it. Like I mentioned, it is stored in a damp building.

I did find mention of being able to buy blue dye to add so you can see it better in the sight glass, but I don't think anyone is messing with me that way.

 

[Diggin It]

Metal or plastic bucket?

I've seen some comments about diesel turning bluish-green due to algae.

 

[hillbilly rick]

Metal or plastic bucket?

I've seen some comments about diesel turning bluish-green due to algae.

It is the plastic 5 gallon bucket it comes in from the store. This is almost a sky blue.

 

[hosspuller]

Look at it under a different light source. Some lights have a high degree of ultra violet that could cause fluorescent oil to glow. Even better compare two samples of oil in identical bottles ... to confirm your eyes.

 

[3gunr]

Hoospuller is right. i have been a house painter for 40 yrs and can tell you that light sources can change a color signifigantly. A blue bucket can make the oil look blue.

 

[caver]

I think it means your tractor is pregnant...

 

[hillbilly rick]

I think it means your tractor is pregnant...

That's the one that makes the most sense. I had both buckets outside side by side, so there is no disputing the color. I was going to finish off the old bucket before opening the new. I will have to take a picture of it.

 

[ruffdog]

I would pour some in transparent containers to get a better look at it. Is there water or other junk in the bottom of the pail? Do you see floating stuff in the oil while holding a light behind it? Does it look pure or mixed?

 

[Ford850]

Did you break the seal to open the bucket, or was it opened previously? Could it have been refilled with used fluid, either by you (and you forgot) or by someone else (and they returned a bucket of used fluid for a refund and you bought it)?