JD 4300 - Cloudy Hydaulic fluid

[emc2000]

Through the sight window I saw my fluid looked cloudy. Did a full drain with new main filter..cleaned and tightened fill cap. Ran for about 10 min. Still cloudy. I THINK it is water...could it be air? When i leave it overnight, the fluid (through the sight window) clears up...but after running for a few min, gets cloudy again.
Thinking water got in (its stored outside) and is still present after the single change. Now I am covering the machine...and thinking about another change...to get more out of the cylinders etc.

How many changes will i need to perform to get clear again?

I am thinking of replacing the low pressure supply side hoses and pipes as well.

I read somewhere, I can use 50/50 diesel/hydraulic mixture to cycle the system for a few minutes without harming the system before performing the final change with 100% hydraulic fluid.

Any way to "cook off" the moisture in the fluid? Or let it settle and drain it off (assuming it settles to the bottom) from the lowest drain point?

Thoughts?

 

[skipperbrown]

If it is water, it should all be gone by your second drain. Water typically turns oil milk chocolate brown in color.

 

[emc2000]

OK thanks - Ill try another change out...mine was a creamy color. Wondering if it could be air?

 

[jthibodeau89]

Fill a 1qt mason jar with the cloudy oil and let it sit overnight. Water will settle to the bottom. A 500cc graduated cylinder is even better.

 

[emc2000]

Fill a 1qt mason jar with the cloudy oil and let it sit overnight. Water will settle to the bottom. A 500cc graduated cylinder is even better.

thank you - good idea...i will give that a shot.