Milky diff./hydraulic oil change

[pajudd]

Just bought a Massey Ferguson 245 diesel and note it has milky oil, a bit below the lower limit on the rear axle dipstick.

It's probably been sitting for a year +, no cracks in the trans shift lever boots.

Would like to know whether to try to flush out the old oil (how?) or just drain & refill with new (Permatran III)

I have the service manual (MF-33) but haven't found any instructions or diagrams of drainage places yet.

Thanks all,
Peter

 

[dex3361]

How milky? Do you have a FEL? If no FEL I would just change the oil and run it up to temp for a while. A tractor sitting around and not used much will draw moisture.

 

[pajudd]

Randall,
Sorry , don't know what FEL is.
I ran it for 2 hours last week and then noticed the milky oil. Since it sat before I bought it recently I am happy to replace the oil now.
Is there anything I need to know about draining & replacing?
Strangely I can't find the method in the service manual.
Peter

 

[Diamondpilot]

A FEL is a front end loaded. If its milky that means water. If no FEL just drain and refill with proper fluid. Keeping the tractor under a roof will prevent this in the future. Water will always find a way in it seems.

Chris

 

[pajudd]

Randal,
Okay, FEL = Front end loader.
Yes, I have one but it is an industrial style (yellow) retrofit, ie. the hydraulic system is completely separate and powered from a front mounted pump.

Am I correct in assuming that it would be good run it for an hour to warm it up and then drain immediately? I'm trying to get the most possible of the old oil out; or is there a need to flush it somehow?

Thank you,
Peter

 

[dex3361]

If I haven't yet let me welcome you to TBN. I should have mentioned what a FEL was sorry about that. With the separate systems do just as Chris said (I would always warm it up to enhance maximum drainage) drain and refill. If you had the FEL hydraulics in common it would require a bit more to try to get the old fluid out of the FEL cylinders.

 

[Soundguy]

Randal,
Okay, FEL = Front end loader.
Yes, I have one but it is an industrial style (yellow) retrofit, ie. the hydraulic system is completely separate and powered from a front mounted pump.

Am I correct in assuming that it would be good run it for an hour to warm it up and then drain immediately? I'm trying to get the most possible of the old oil out; or is there a need to flush it somehow?

Thank you,
Peter

dump in a bottle of trans tune seafoam.. then run her.. then drain.. if you like, dump in a couple gallons of diesel, then drain again.

When i work on old units with wet trans, diffy, or hyd sumps, I will flush the hyds with a combo of atf fluid, diesel and 91% rubbing alcohol, plus a lil utf oil.. then I refill with good oil.

the alcohol is a polar solvent.. water is polar.. carries it out in soloution, vs suspension...

soundguy

 

[pajudd]

Thanks all; got it done and now I'm back to cutting 3 meter high Scotch broom - like a charm!
Peter

 

[CountryJohn]

I was just about to start a new thread with my question when I saw this thread and I think it answered my question. I bought a "new" Howse 48" brush hog off of Craigslist--it was never used but had been sitting around for a while. I sent for the manual and followed the directions, filled the gear case with 85W125 gear oil. After the first use checked the oil and it was milky. I knew this means water mixed in with it.
There appears to be no easy way to drain it out, so I refilled it with oil and let a lot run out of the "check level" hole on the case. It seems to be working fine.
Still I wish I knew some way to flush the gearcase completely without taking the whole thing apart.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I was just about to start a new thread with my question when I saw this thread and I think it answered my question. I bought a "new" Howse 48" brush hog off of Craigslist--it was never used but had been sitting around for a while. I sent for the manual and followed the directions, filled the gear case with 85W125 gear oil. After the first use checked the oil and it was milky. I knew this means water mixed in with it.
There appears to be no easy way to drain it out, so I refilled it with oil and let a lot run out of the "check level" hole on the case. It seems to be working fine.
Still I wish I knew some way to flush the gearcase completely without taking the whole thing apart.

Only real way I know is pick it up with a Front End Loader "FEL" using chains and tilt it up against a tree and allow it to drain. A few gear boxes I have seen have drain plugs on the bottom but are few and far between.

Chris