Hydraulic Fluid

[gerlacr]

I drained the hydraulic-gear fluid out of my Yanmar 1500D that I purchased recently and was a bit shocked at what came out. I am not sure exactly what I expected but the fluid was a brownish yellow and had clumps that felt like the consistency of fine dirt. What can I use to flush the gear box out to remove any lingering yuk before I refill it?

[MDNick]

Gerlacr,

About the best thing for that is kerosene. Don't use diesel and DON'T use gasoline. Kerosene is light enough that it will act as a solvent, cleaning agent, but should completely drain out of the transmission, with the lingering yuk. With the kerosene in there, you could briefly operate it (a few minutes) to circulate all bearings and gears. After that, drain the kerosene, refill with fresh cheap oil, operate for long enough to get it hot, and drain again. Then put in good oil and your good to go.

One has to wonder where the yuk came from and if any damage has been done to bearings, etc. For your sake I sure hope not.

Having said all the above, I am not a professional mechanic, but I have played one on TBN.[img]/w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif[/img]

Nick

[justractors]

I am a practicing mechanic (Drs practice so why can't we).
Nick said it all. I have used diesel fuel to do the same thing however. I have also done the same thing to flush contamination out of an engine.
Bill

[Kodiak]

A word of caution on the use of kerosene. It may effect some of the newer hydraulic seals used in cylinders. Some seals are may become to soft allowing bypass and reducing their useable life.

[JohnMiller3]

<font color=blue>...What can I use to flush the gear box out to remove any lingering yuk before I refill it? ...</font color=blue>

I'd be careful of the kerosene/diesel fuel incompatibilities with internal seals... or you could open up a real can of worms for the future... [img]/w3tcompact/icons/eyes.gif[/img]

Instead, I would use "more" hydraulic fluid you can pick up @ Walmart or Sams Club for say ~~$11. for a 5 gallon pail... run the unit for a few hours with that and drain it and replace with the factory recommend fluids... [img]/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif[/img]

[gerlacr]

I'm not sure about your parts of the country, but out here in Southern Cal, Walmarts don't carry hydraulic fluid. I live in a predominately metropolitan area. The only place I have found it is at tractor dealers and the going price appears to be in the range of $28 for a five gal pail. I guess I'll just have to bite the bullet and spend a few bucks on fluid.

Thanks for the advice.

[Ozarker]

If you can't get cheap hydraulic fluid to do it, get cheap transmission fluid.

[Frosty]

My grandfather had an old 6 cyl. Chevy (1949 I think). Every oil change he would add a gal of diesel, start and idle it a minute; drain again and fill 'er up with fresh oil. That old car ran like a Swiss watch!

[art]

I like John Millers answer to your problem. Definitly use Hydraulic oil only! Fill to appropriate level use for an hour or so and pull the filter and see what you have. If totally contaminated again, start over until you get a good sample.

[s1120]

try looking tn an auto parts store, a lot sell it also.

JMIII,
Your right on the mony. I do the same thing when I am working on an old car. If the motor needs cleaning out, I get out what I can, then fill it up with cheep oil, and run it for a bit. Drain it, and replace the filter, and your ready to go.

One more thing. When you drain it out, make sure its warm. That will floot out more crud.