What is this hole on the transmission for? (JD 5085E)

Magicman710 · Aug 30, 2014

I noticed a small puddle of hydraulic fluid on the concrete below my new (5 hours) 5085E this morning. I found where it was coming from, this hole on the bottom of the transmission case. I initially thought it was leaking at the seal, but after I wiped the area I saw it puddling around this hole.

It's very similar to other holes around the bottom of the tractor, but all those holes have a end. It's threaded like the others but looking up into there is no end, its just black. I'm able to stick a nail through the hole and it comes out with hydraulic fluid on it.

beenthere · Aug 30, 2014

Maybe a drain hole to allow oil to exit, but leaves the question why is there oil there to drain. I'd stuff a shop towel into the hole (so it doesn't drip on the floor) and watch it over a period of time (as well as notify the dealer in case later it is a warranty issue).

I must say, that area is sure clean and spotless, save for the oil drips.

MattLynch · Aug 30, 2014

LOL, welcome to owning an E! To answer your question no, it should not leak there or anywhere else. But it does and it will. Call the dealer and they will hopefully fix it up for you.

Magicman710 · Aug 30, 2014

I realize it shouldn't leak, I'm just wondering why in the world is there an open hole there in the first place.

beenthere · Aug 30, 2014

To let out any oil that is leaking ?? Likely don't want it pooling up where it is not needed. Check with your dealer..

You can go to jdparts.com and see just what is inside this part of the tranny. May help you to know.

Soundguy · Aug 30, 2014

fords and many other have a bellhousing weep hole to keep rear main leaks and tranny input shaft leaks drained.

MattLynch · Aug 31, 2014

I checked mine and it has the same hole, doesn't leak. If you have a leak out of that hole I suspect either a crack, porus casting, or the hole is drilled just a touch too deep. Proper fix is a new trans case, but some dealers will want to do a quick and easy fix.

beenthere · Aug 31, 2014

MattLynch said:
I checked mine and it has the same hole, doesn't leak. If you have a leak out of that hole I suspect either a crack, porus casting, or the hole is drilled just a touch too deep. Proper fix is a new trans case, but some dealers will want to do a quick and easy fix.

Not sure how you came to those conclusions that a proper fix is a new transmission case. Doesn't seem to add up to an oil leak. Maybe a seal or gasket or nut not tight.

MattLynch · Aug 31, 2014

beenthere said:
Not sure how you came to those conclusions that a proper fix is a new transmission case. Doesn't seem to add up to an oil leak. Maybe a seal or gasket or nut not tight.

If the leak is coming from a threaded hole which is only drilled part way through the casting where is the fluid coming from?
I would however make sure that the oil isn't coming from somewhere else and pooling around that hole. I had several oil, coolant, and hydraulic leaks on mine at 20 hours, mostly due to fittings/clamps not tight, and poor quality clamps.

Zebrafive · Sep 1, 2014

MattLynch said:
If the leak is coming from a threaded hole which is only drilled part way through the casting where is the fluid coming from?
I would however make sure that the oil isn't coming from somewhere else and pooling around that hole. I had several oil, coolant, and hydraulic leaks on mine at 20 hours, mostly due to fittings/clamps not tight, and poor quality clamps.

In the first post he states it is not a blind hole. Is it a blind hole on your tractor?

MattLynch · Sep 1, 2014

Didn't realize it wasn't a blind hole, my bad. I looked at mine and thought it was a blind hole, just drilled longer then the rest. I will have a closer look to be sure. It may be as Soundguy says, a hole in the bellhousing to let a mainseal leak drip out. I have never seen a hole this big for that purpose however. Usually just a small slit or hole to let oil out and not let debris in.

Soundguy · Sep 1, 2014

It's a Common practice to put a weep hole in the bellhousing...

Magicman710 · Sep 1, 2014

I've ran the tractor 3 times since I posted the OP, since my dealer won't be open until tomorrow.

The first time, I ran it about 30 minutes. No leaking.

The second time was about 1 hour, there was some dripping afterwards.

Ran today for about 2 hours, no dripping.

Leejohn · Sep 1, 2014

Trans input shaft seal bad, or vent on trans not working and putting undue pressure in case.

Magicman710 · Sep 2, 2014

Been looking on JD parts. I suppose it could be the oil pump seal that's bad. My dealer is backed up with service calls so they won't be able to come out until late this week or next week.

beenthere · Sep 2, 2014

Maybe your service guy can take a look in that hole with something like an endoscope camera and see what is happening.

Soundguy · Sep 3, 2014

easier to just see if it is hydro oil or engine oil.

1Lawman · Sep 3, 2014

I have the same threaded hole on my 5093E..I have no idea why there would be a threaded hole there but I'd sure like to know..

JD3520Turbo · Sep 5, 2014

Is it possible that your hydraulic system is overfilled and this is a vent or something and it is purging the over flow out of this hole?
Check your site windows in the back by the pto shaft and see how much oil is in there. With all hydraulics in the down position, you should see fluid line half way up on the upper site glass. If there is oil all the way to the top, then you might be overfilled from the factory. Not likely, but possible.