Possible hose leak, but trying to figure out what it is

[hkyfsh]

Hi All,

Totally new to my Kubota L3430DT. Inherited it on a land purchase. Starts and runs fine, but after running it, a fairly substantial leak shows under it. Seems to be coming from this hose, on the rear of the tractor, and looks to be connected to a cylinder that is on the 3 point hitch. Anyone point me to a parts schematic of this area? Looked at the parts diagram on Kubota, but not sure I’m looking in the right place. Thanks in advance.

 

[hkyfsh]

Looks like its this part (020) but the only part discontinued is the hose that it looks like I need. Can this be replaced with any hydraulic hose?

 

[D2Cat]

Best to first be sure what is leaking. One easy way to clean the area with a pressure washer or some solvent and wash it off. Then, when dry, sprinkle some talcum powder ( or similar) over the area. Run the engine until it begins to show up.

If it is the hose, remove it and take to local hydraulic repair shop and have them make a hose just like that one. Same length, same fitting on the ends.

 

[Runs With Scissors]

As @D2Cat suggested, clean it off well with some sort of degreaser like simple Green or a can of “engine degreaser” first, then run it while looking at it. (I personally would use a can of brake cleaner for such a small section)

An "inspection mirror” would be very handy most likely.

They also sell UV flashlights and dye kits fairly cheap and they work pretty good at finding the “hard to detect” leaks.

Without knowing exactly whats leaking, loading the “Parts Cannon” can get very expensive, very quickly.

 

[GeoHorn]

IF…. IF….you can determine it’s the HOSE….. the suggestion to take the hose to a hyd shop ….(or NAPA makes ‘em in-house)… will be your solution.

 

[hkyfsh]

Thanks all for the replies. I already had the engine degreaser to get it cleaned up. I’ll get that going as suggested and hopefully report back that it was the hose and not something a lot bigger.

 

[D2Cat]

It may be a loose fitting. Then you can spend our money of wrenches that will reach in there.

 

[torch]

Looks like someone used pliers or vise-grips on that hose in the past.

 

[GeoHorn]

It’s an “armored” hose. That “spring” spiral-wrap is to protect the hose from abrasion of the adjacent structures …and the wrap may be “hiding” a damaged hose inside.

Cleaning the hose and wrapping is necessary to determine if it is indeed that hose….but it’s most likely the culprit.

An obvious and not-too-expensive solution is to simply Replace that Hose. It’ll either solve the problem…or help reveal what IS the problem.

 

[torch]

It may be a loose fitting. Then you can spend our money of wrenches that will reach in there.

Looking at the pictures, he might benefit from a 6 point flare nut crow's foot wrench set and a long extension.

Edit - Something like this: https://www.homedepot.com/p/SUNEX-T..._-326961462-_-1-_-n/a-_-n/a-_-n/a-_-n/a-_-n/a

 

[GeoHorn]

Looking at the pictures, he might benefit from a 6 point flare nut crow's foot wrench set and a long extension.

Edit - Something like this: https://www.homedepot.com/p/SUNEX-T..._-326961462-_-1-_-n/a-_-n/a-_-n/a-_-n/a-_-n/a

Ordinarily…that would likely be a useful excersize….. Except…that wire-wrap prevents the flare-wrench from slipping over the hose first…..which is necessary with a flare-wrench. The Wrapping will have to be moved or removed to enable such a tool. (and the hose must be of smaller O.D. than the end-fitting which, in this case, does not appear to be.)

 

[torch]

Should be easy enough to retract the protector if required, however his third photo shows the spring does not extend over the crimp portion of the fitting. (That's where I see what I believe to be plier or vise-grip scars).

 

[whitetiger]

(That's where I see what I believe to be plier or vise-grip scars).

That is just the way those crimps look.

 

[torch]

That is just the way those crimps look.

Could be. But in addition to the random teeth marks, some of the rounded corners are crushed.

In any event, I don't think the wire wrap will interfere with a crow's foot wrench. And I think the 6-point style provides a more positive engagement compared to the open wrench style. But that's just my 2¢.