Hydraulic tank leak

tonyoz · Dec 29, 2014

I've had a leak on the hydraulic tank on the C140 for a while and it's been a PIA trying to find it until today. It's been letting moisture in so it above the oil level. This is how I found it, using an old truck inner tube I cut the rubber around the valve, drilled the holes and fitted it to the filler, connected some air then went looking and listening. Found it after 10 min. Rayco's great welding (NOT) is the problem. Don't use more than 10psi or it could blow the delivery hoses off the pumps.

:thumbsup:

PILOON · Dec 29, 2014

Using some air pressure is a neat trick to find minor leaks.
Thanks.

redprospector · Dec 29, 2014

I've "rigged" a lot of different ways to pressurize tanks before. But I think I like your idea best of all Tony. I've got to remember that for my next pressure test. Pretty slick. :thumbsup:

tonyoz · Dec 29, 2014

The other good thing about using a tyre valve is that it's easy to pressure test after the repair is done, a tyre pressure gauge is all that's needed. I just love KISS

APSmulching · Dec 29, 2014

That's a great idea Tony, very creative. Where was the leak? Did you get the stress crack in the hydraulic tank or fuel tank that Most of the Rayco's have?

tonyoz · Dec 30, 2014

APSmulching said:
That's a great idea Tony, very creative. Where was the leak? Did you get the stress crack in the hydraulic tank or fuel tank that Most of the Rayco's have?

The crack is behind the cab mount running along the weld. The cab needs to be removed to reweld and I don't have time for that so Locktite radiator repair putty will do the job for now. There are pin holes in the welds on the lower fuel tank, the engine and pumps have to come out to fix. Gees even the Chinese can do a better job of building machines than Rayco who should change their name to ANCNRCO (A No Care No Responsibility Company).

treemuncher · Jan 8, 2015

Use that fill valve you made up to purge the tank of air if you want to weld it. I've had to weld the hyd tank and the fuel tank on my 140. I filled the tank with argon and left enough pressure in it at all times so that a rubber glove with a 1/16" hole in a finger would stay well inflated at all times, proving positive pressure but keeping it just above atmospheric. Without oxygen, the fuels can not burn and you can grind & weld the tank somewhat safely.

I did get Fecon/Rayco to send me the patch plate kit to fix the issue, but no compensation for the labor of installation. This cracking at the tanks has happened on many 140's. Since the patch was installed, no more leaks and no more cracks.

APSmulching · Jan 8, 2015

treemuncher said:
Use that fill valve you made up to purge the tank of air if you want to weld it. I've had to weld the hyd tank and the fuel tank on my 140. I filled the tank with argon and left enough pressure in it at all times so that a rubber glove with a 1/16" hole in a finger would stay well inflated at all times, proving positive pressure but keeping it just above atmospheric. Without oxygen, the fuels can not burn and you can grind & weld the tank somewhat safely. I did get Fecon/Rayco to send me the patch plate kit to fix the issue, but no compensation for the labor of installation. This cracking at the tanks has happened on many 140's. Since the patch was installed, no more leaks and no more cracks.

How long ago did they send you the fish plate kit? I asked them about it and they said that they don't use them anymore they use the slotted holes on the lift arm instead. The Rayco service guy said he didn't think they crack the tanks after they did that update. He said they used the fish plates when the problem first started happening. I would like to add them to my 140.

tonyoz · Jan 9, 2015

It's not surprising Rayco haven't sent me any updates since my last conversation with John Bowling many moons ago.

treemuncher · Jan 28, 2015

APSmulching said:
How long ago did they send you the fish plate kit? I asked them about it and they said that they don't use them anymore they use the slotted holes on the lift arm instead. The Rayco service guy said he didn't think they crack the tanks after they did that update. He said they used the fish plates when the problem first started happening. I would like to add them to my 140.

April of 2012 according to the pictures that I have. I still have copies of the drawings that were sent to me if those would help you. Send me a PM with your email and I can send you the PDF files that I have of all of the stitch plates.

Typical cracking of the C140 machine: