Losing Hydraulic/transmission Fluid

[BJ Grimmett]

I have a New Holland TC35d, and It keeps losing Hydraulic/transmission fluid. I put a full gallon of hydro/tran. fluid in it the other day to fill it up, ran it about 3 hours and now its down to the very tip of the dipstick again. Everything seem to work fine and I cant find any where on the lines where it is leaking and no spots on the ground where I park? Any suggestions about what is going on?
B.J.

 

[davesl708]

Hi. Welcome.

Look closely at the hyd. lines. The leak maybe a crack that leaks under pressure. Quick connects can leak under pressure as well and leave little evidence when not under pressure.

Any spots after it sets?

 

[BJ Grimmett]

I don't see any spots when I leave it set. That is what is puzzling me. The hoses going to FOL are all clean there is a little gunk around connection points. Would it lose a gallon of fluid at these points in just five hours of work and sitting a couple of days? How do I check them under pressure?

Hi. Welcome.

Look closely at the hyd. lines. The leak maybe a crack that leaks under pressure. Quick connects can leak under pressure as well and leave little evidence when not under pressure.

Any spots after it sets?

 

[Leejohn]

Make sure you are parking on level ground and try to use the same parking spot. Check the engine oil level.

 

[J_J]

I have a New Holland TC35d, and It keeps losing Hydraulic/transmission fluid. I put a full gallon of hydro/tran. fluid in it the other day to fill it up, ran it about 3 hours and now its down to the very tip of the dipstick again. Everything seem to work fine and I cant find any where on the lines where it is leaking and no spots on the ground where I park? Any suggestions about what is going on?
B.J.

Check your engine oil level. The pump shaft seal may be leaking into the engine.

 

[Billrog]

When your parked on level ground and the bucket flat and level on the ground as well. Any high pressure leak spraying a fine mist you'll smell the hot hydraulic fluid .

 

[BJ Grimmett]

The engine oil is almost brand new and it is staying up well. I don't think that has anything to do with it. I do smell a hot smell sometimes when I am putting the FOL under a lot of pressure digging up roots. If this is a high pressure leak, what is the best way to find where the leak is?

 

[davesl708]

The engine oil is almost brand new and it is staying up well. I don't think that has anything to do with it. I do smell a hot smell sometimes when I am putting the FOL under a lot of pressure digging up roots. If this is a high pressure leak, what is the best way to find where the leak is?

If you are putting the attachment under load in a stationary position a puddle of fluid should be near the leak.
Loosing as much fluid as you stated should be leaving a trail or it is pooling somewhere in the tractor as stated earlier checking the engine oil is to see if that is where the fluid went.

 

[BJ Grimmett]

So how would I be able to tell if hydraulic fluid is going in the engine oil. Would the engine oil level just be higher?

 

[Leejohn]

So how would I be able to tell if hydraulic fluid is going in the engine oil. Would the engine oil level just be higher?

Yes it would.

 

[Billrog]

When working the loader if it's a pin hole leak with a fine spray that you can smell it would take a long time to loose a gal. and there would most likely be evidence some where on the machine from the mist. I've had a few over the years on the backhoe it took a few mins. to find but never lost a gal. of oil before doing so.

 

[BJ Grimmett]

I am really wondering if the hydro/trans. oil is leaking into the engine oil from some where. I have noticed that the engine oil is very full when I check it. How could I check to see if this is the problem for sure?

 

[Coyote machine]

First, if checking for hydraulic fluid leaks, NEVEr use your hand, ALWAYS use something like cardboard or a piece of wood. High pressure hydraulic fluid acn cause need for amputation if under the skin.

The oil level could easily be increasing; to check it read the dipstick before starting the tractor, then after stopping for the day, after waiting at least 10-15 minutes to allow all oil from upper engine to settle back into the pan.
It has to be going somewhere, so unless you can see it pooling on a piece of cardboard under the tractor, or see it spraying from a fitting or line, (using cardboard), the only other place to loose a gallon of hydraulic fluid is into the engine.

 

[BJ Grimmett]

Is it going to damage my tractor to put more hydro/trans. fluid in to bring it up to level and run it, then check the engine oil to see if it has raised?

 

[Billrog]

If you've lost a gal. and the engine oil is still close to where it should be might be an indication the H. oil is going some place else.

 

[BJ Grimmett]

Hey guys, thanks for all of your help. I think I have figured things out. The Hydro/trans fluid is not as low as I thought. I don't think I was giving it enough time to settle back down after running the tractor. However I did find a hydro fitting that was leaking a few drops whenever I put the loader under pressure. I hope when I tighten up the fitting it will be fixed. Thanks again for all of your help.

 

[Coyote machine]

Careful not to overtighten the fitting in question. Depending on what type of fitting it is, you mey not be able to get it any tighter without damaging it and making for a worse leak. Sometimes the best approach is to loosen the fitting- NOT while under pressure, and re attach it snugly, and see what the results are.
Post back any findings, results.
Hopefully that fitting is the problem/leak.

 

[BJ Grimmett]

I tightened up the fitting and it did fix it. I also found another smaller leak around the hydraulic quick connects that go to my FOL. How do you go about stopping that leak?

 

[Coyote machine]

I tightened up the fitting and it did fix it. I also found another smaller leak around the hydraulic quick connects that go to my FOL. How do you go about stopping that leak?

Same process: remove all hydraulic pressure, with tractor off, move FEL lever around to all positions. Carefully loosen fitting- check for signs of Teflon tape in the connection. If present remove fitting, clean off all tape on male and female fitting, use approved hydraulic fluid sealing liquid, available via Locktight and other brands. If you must reuse Teflon tape, make sure it is only on the male threads and does not enter the orifice at the end of the fitting- if it gets into the hydraulics it can reek havoc.

 

[Billrog]

If the quick connects are actually leaking and not just dripping residue from taking them on and off there's an O ring in the female connect that you can replace. Other wise it's what Coyote m said.