Kubota L3000DT leaking oil out the breathe tube

[Dirk Lately]

Hi everyone,

My 3000DT with 200 hrs is leaking oil when it's warm. It shoots out the overflow, and is very thin. The oil levels are very high (it comes out when I pull the dipstick!). Also, the hydraulic fluid level is low. The tractor starts and runs fine but I haven't run it much, of course.

Reading old posts, it looks like this could be a problem with a seal on the injector pump, or the shaft seal on the hydraulic pump. Most likely the latter, right?

My question is: is replacing the hydraulic pump shaft seal something a DIY-er could do? My dealer is no fun so I'd like to do it myself if possible. But i'm not a mechanic. I've got a parts book but that's it.

If I do have to take it to the dealer, what should I expect to pay?

Thanks in advance

 

[Dirk Lately]

Okay, after more research I can no longer tell whether it's most likely the hydraulic pump or the injector pump.

The oil is thin, indicating it may be diluted with diesel. This points to the injector pump.

But the hydraulic level is inexplicably low, and had remained stable before this problem occurred. This points to the hydraulic pump.

I think I'll go have a sandwich.

 

[Willl]

How 'bout a service on the whole machine and then a test run and see what happens to your 'levels' ?

 

[some zilch]

you should be able to smell the diesel in the oil
or you could have it analyzed to see what oils/fuels are actually mixing.

 

[Dirk Lately]

Yeah, I don't smell diesel in the oil. But why is it so dang thin?

 

[Willl]

But why is it so dang thin?

Temp ?

 

[banjodunn]

G'day i think you hit the nail on the head first up, if the oil doesn't smell like diesel then you have quite possibly done the seal on the front of the pump. However with a machine with such low hours i think there is an underlying problem like a relief valve set too high or maybe even a bad pump. I would talk to your dealer about warranty at those hours, even if time is up i know kubota over here are pretty good when it comes down to the nitty gritty.


Jon

 

[Dirk Lately]

I talked to a local mechanic that agreed that the likely culprit is the hydraulic pump. What is the process for removing it?

Also, which part is most likely the problem? I've attached part schematics.

 

[DennisMI]

Do you have a filter that could be plugged?

 

[Dirk Lately]

Because I know you all are waiting breathlessly for more info on this:

It's definitely the hydraulic pump. On Saturday my 11-year-old son and I changed the oil (pretty much the definition of heaven for me is working on my tractor with my son on a sunny Saturday!) and topped off the hydraulic fluid. Ran it for a while, and hydro fluid levels decreased with nothing spilling on the ground.

Next step is to replace the hydraulic pump. Or fix it.