Water inHydraulic fluid

jlbash1 · Feb 8, 2001

Hey all

I changed out the Hydraulic fluid in my L2650 GST 4wd a while back when it was good and cold because i couldn't get the GST gear lever to move at all. That fixed er right up, and with probably less of an hour use on the oil it has turned a milkey color. I also notice that when changing gears on the go the tractor will come to a stop and slowly take off in the next gear. I am guessing there is water in the fluid and causing this. Any comments? I don't really know what the deal is on how the water would be in the fluid, i replaced it with kubota udt. So there you go.

What do you think?
Jarrod

Pks · Feb 8, 2001

Hi Jlbash1,

It has been my experience that when water gets into the oil, shifting becomes difficult. Hydraulic cylinders get sluggish or stop moving all together. Gear failure is a real possability if water is in the oil. Of course that depends on the percentage of water, temperatures, loading, time etc.

It sounds to me like you've done the right thing by changing the oil, but to see oil again.... hmmm that leads me to think there is something wrong: vent tube missing, vent tube not shielded properly (I like to put light weight foam over vent tube openings to act as a small filter), problem with a water gasket/seal in the engine etc.

OR: When you changed the oil, was the air temperature below freezing? I wonder if the water, while in the gearbox, was in the form of ice. Ice might lock the linkages. Then when fresh oil was added, the ice melted. The linkages would unfreeze and shifting would return. Also, after melting, the oil would again become milky. I know it's expensive, but I think another oil change (when the oil is hot) is necessary.

If you could get the oil-water mix analized before you change all of it again, you might be able to rule out an engine problem. An engine problem might put radiator fluid into the oil. But, if no glycol were found in the analysis then the water could possibly be coming from something external to the tractor like rain, garden hose, snow or puddles.

Normally, water does not get into the tractor gearbox et al. Somethings up for sure.

I hope my thoughts are useful.

Peter

Anonymous Poster · Feb 8, 2001

I had a similiar discoloration of oil on my L245DT. I changed the oil and the problem came back very quickly. As it turned out (at least in my case) the problem wasn't water. The previous owner had, for some reason, not installed an o-ring in a fitting on the hydraulic pump suction line. Accordingly, the pump was sucking in a small amount of air, sufficient to whip the oil into a milky white color. I would guess that your problem is indeed water, but keep the aeration possibility in mind.

Good luck.

Rch · Feb 8, 2001

I had this happen on a Bolens G214 ( same as a White Field Boss 21- an Iseki tractor with a regular shift transmission circa 1986) The accordian rubber boot around the gear shift lever and, probably more importantly, the rubber collar where the shift lever enters the transmission were kaput. Water leaked in and I went to move the tractor inside after a few cold Fall days and the FEL wouldn't raise. Water had frozen in the return circuit of the hydraulic system which happen to be the low point. There is also a vent under the seat on the differential and this was a potential entry point, especially if snow would accumulate then melt. However a tomato paste can covered this nicely. The critical thing was the shift collar gasket and to a lesser degree the accordian-like boot. The shift lever is between your legs directly into the transmission with some sheet metal over it so you can't easily see what is going on.

RCH<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by Rch on 02/08/01 05:29 PM (server time).</FONT></P>

WVBill · Feb 9, 2001

I had milky hydraulic fluid on my B6100DT FEL (hydraulic system for loader only). At the dealer's suggestion I drained it, re-filled the system with a 50/50 mix of diesel fuel (with Sta-bil additive) and hydraulic fluid, cycled all the hydraulics, drained it and re-filled with clean hydraulid fluid (which, in the case of a B6100 FEL is 10W 30 motor oil). That seems to have solved the problem.

I suspect the water got in there when my father in law had the tractor before me. He kept it outside, uncovered for many years.

jlbash1 · Feb 12, 2001

I'm not really sure where to go from here, i guess i'll take a look at the hoses and make sure everything is fitting up tight. Other than that i don't know where the water is coming from. The antifreeze level is at the tip top, so i don't think that's the problem, i keep it covered so who knows. i know the previous owner did keep it outside for a while so maybe that had something to do with it. Any suggestions on the best way to get all the water out before i change the fluid? What does the diesel fuel do for you when you mix it together?

I've already decided to but some cheap wal-mart hydraulic fluid in this time just to see if i run into the same problem again. i'd hate to spend the $$ for udt and be where i am now.

Thanks for the help
Jarrod

WVBill · Feb 12, 2001

Jarrod:

In my case, since I was flushing the system in sub-freezing weather, the diesel fuel cut the viscosity of the oil and helped flush the system.

My system uses 10W30 motor oil, though. I don't know how that compares with hydraulic fluid in terms of low-temp viscosity.

I was thinking of flushing several times with cheap oil/diesel - but then ran up against the "how do I get rid of all this old oil" question...