Need Help, frozen Hydro

[pbraig]

Well ive been lurking mostly for a while and have gotten some good advice from a few folks here. I got a big problem with water in the hydrolics of my old l245DT.
I don't think the fluid was ever changed before I got it. I have drained and filled 5 times now warming and cycling things each time and I still have lots of water in the fluid. How can I get it all out once and for all without taking the whole thing apart? Anyone ever try a water separator?

 

[85Hokie]

Well ive been lurking mostly for a while and have gotten some good advice from a few folks here. I got a big problem with water in the hydrolics of my old l245DT.
I don't think the fluid was ever changed before I got it. I have drained and filled 5 times now warming and cycling things each time and I still have lots of water in the fluid. How can I get it all out once and for all without taking the whole thing apart? Anyone ever try a water separator?

How the moisture got there is a huge problem? Have any ideas?
As for changing the fluid, that is huge amount fluid change!
I would think that the water would settle to the bottom since the oil should float to the top and water would drain out of the bottom.

I would drain the fluid, and somehow "clean it" via a water separator....but if that amount of water is there, better find out where it came from!

 

[pbraig]

Well I think some of it has been there for awhile. I have kept it tarped outside for the last year. The first fluid change was horrible. They have gotten better but it still freezes up, but then again at -25 so did I. Shifter seals seem ok.

 

[Daren Todd]

Did you happen to get all the drain plugs? If it's similar to my l1501 (l185 equivalent) there are four plugs to drain all the fluid. Two under the tranny and one on the back of each housing for the chain drives for the rear tires.

Is it just milky fluid? Or straight water coming out?

 

[pbraig]

Yes I have drained the lower drains each time. Its more than milky fluid. you can see ice in it when its cold thu the fill plug. Ive been watching coolant and have not lost any. I think that it was just full of water when I got it and just are stuck with the other guys problem.

 

[Daren Todd]

Hydraulic and tranny are separated from the coolant. Plus if it was antifreeze you wouldn't have the icicles or freezing issue. I'm leaning towards either the previous owner left the fill cap off, used contaminated oil, or decided to see if it would float and failed miserably Do you have a heated shop you could leave it in for about 24 hours to let it thaw completely before draining. And with all the plugs out, just let it set for a couple hours to make sure most of the funk comes out. Sometimes with water in the oil, it will get really thick and sludgy, and not want to drain very well. You get almost the same effect as whipping the hell out of heavy cream

 

[85Hokie]

Hydraulic and tranny are separated from the coolant. Plus if it was antifreeze you wouldn't have the icicles or freezing issue. I'm leaning towards either the previous owner left the fill cap off, used contaminated oil, or decided to see if it would float and failed miserably Do you have a heated shop you could leave it in for about 24 hours to let it thaw completely before draining. And with all the plugs out, just let it set for a couple hours to make sure most of the funk comes out. Sometimes with water in the oil, it will get really thick and sludgy, and not want to drain very well. You get almost the same effect as whipping the hell out of heavy cream

"decided to see if it would float and failed miserably"

NOW I didnt think about that !

Good call!

 

[Tooljunkie]

Needs heat,and lots of it,hydraulics need to be flushed. Near impossible. In my opinion would need to remove return line, dump into drum and keep refilling with fresh while cycling all hydraulics. A massive amount of oil i would think. Or a total teardown. Kerosene flush? Without running fill it to the brim and drain after a few hours.if it has hydraulic cylinders,pull them off and physically drain them.

 

[Russell King]

See this link for a method to use to flush the pump out. You should be able to adapt it to your tractor.

http://www.orangetractortalks.com/forums/showthread.php?t=812&highlight=fast+transmission+flush

I imagine that water is getting into your transmission through the shift levers seals or the filler cap. You may need to fix those or at least cover them with a plastic bucket or pan.