Milky Transmission Months Before Next Use

[Michael B]

Got some ideas from reading other post but looking for opinions on my current situation.

Tractor is an early 80s Ford 2600 with milky transmission fluid in dipstick now. It has not been used in at least 4 months. So that leads me to believe tractor has been used to emulsify the water/oil and will not separate. I did not think to check rearcase at that time.

Grandfather's health has declined and this tractor is rarely used, more use to burn off condensation is not a feasible option.

As is sits uncovered, assume a combination of both condensation from lack of use and rain (leaks) as my cause.
I plan to tarp or move 200 yards to covered barn and replace O-rings. Will consider new shifter boots upon further inspection.

Knowing that tractor will sit for another 4 months what should I do?
Drain and replace now (thanks SoundGuy for all the advice on that)?
Leave alone until next use for fear condensation will cause same problem again over next 4 months?
Will Seafoam or another additive help with condensation during several months of non-use?
Once resolved, possible to drain condensation off bottom prior to each use? or am I in a perpetual battle due to lack of use?

Sorry for long read but trying to include as much detail as I can. New to these things so even what might be obvious would be appreciated. Thanks guys.

 

[Soundguy]

if it sat long enough, some of the water will fall out of emulsion.. some will stay in a stabil emulsion... the stuff falling out you could drain.

me? I'd get it out. I'd dump in a couple/three pints of 90% alcohol in the trans, and then into the rear sump if it was wet too.. plus a quart of diesel in each.. then run around the yard till warmed. then drain and refill. rememebr to change the hyd filter on t he hyds.

you could add a can of transtune seaoam to the new oils.

alcohol is a polar solvent.. water is polar.. the alcohol will actually 'disolve' the water and carry it in soloution, not suspension or emulsion. water and alcohol make what's called an azotrope. this water will actually evaporate easier as in that form, vs free water or emulsified water.

that's what I'd do. I don't want water in my tranny.. on my gears or inthe bearings. it will make for a noise trans if you get pitting.. and the gears will whine and howl..

 

[uphere]

I have heard of folks flushing with kerosene as well?

 

[Soundguy]

kero is #1, diesel is #2.. take your pic.,

both will be petro solvents.

neither disolve water..

that's what the alcohol is for.

the #1/#2 is there to thin the oil mix and help disolve the already emulsified crud sticking to the sump walls.. while the alcohol grabs the free water. between the 2 they make a good flush.

diesel alone won't do much for the free water other than what flows out upon draining.

small cavities and areas thet don't drain may hold free water adn more emulsified crud.. that's why the mix of alcohol and diesel or kerosene.

helps ya get it all that way.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

Got some ideas from reading other post but looking for opinions on my current situation.

Tractor is an early 80s Ford 2600 with milky transmission fluid in dipstick now. It has not been used in at least 4 months. So that leads me to believe tractor has been used to emulsify the water/oil and will not separate. I did not think to check rearcase at that time.

Grandfather's health has declined and this tractor is rarely used, more use to burn off condensation is not a feasible option.

As is sits uncovered, assume a combination of both condensation from lack of use and rain (leaks) as my cause.
I plan to tarp or move 200 yards to covered barn and replace O-rings. Will consider new shifter boots upon further inspection.

Knowing that tractor will sit for another 4 months what should I do?
Drain and replace now (thanks SoundGuy for all the advice on that)?
Leave alone until next use for fear condensation will cause same problem again over next 4 months?
Will Seafoam or another additive help with condensation during several months of non-use?
Once resolved, possible to drain condensation off bottom prior to each use? or am I in a perpetual battle due to lack of use?

Sorry for long read but trying to include as much detail as I can. New to these things so even what might be obvious would be appreciated. Thanks guys.

Michael since this is typical for old tractors setting outside I would just leave it set. Most backhoe's and old dump trucks have fluid that looks like this. I am sure the crude in the 1989 hoist on the F700 has only had used fluid added to it over the years. I got it looking better by adding what I drained out of the BH when I bleed it off so it would not take it an hour for the bed to come down.

Finally got the BH fluid clear but had to keep draining clear water by working it and removing the drain plug just enough for the clear water to run out but not much fluid spill. Cylinders have to be cycled many times it seems to drag the clear water back to the sump that forms in them and gets trapped. Sea Foam will help get some of it out but it is not cheap. Just get the $35 for 5 gallons at TSC, etc and change it a few times when you want to get the water out.

Again it is not ideal but milk in hydraulics is as common as dust in a hot dry July.

 

[newbury]

Have you had a serious talk with your Grandfather about selling it?
http://www.tractorhouse.com/list/list.aspx?manu=FORD&mdltxt=2600 shows asking prices from $4K to $9K.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

I agree with newbury. The tractor needs a new home be it with family or another but my FIL passed at 93 and actually bushhogged with his a few months before he passed so taking away equipment due to age/lack of health is not always a simple task.

 

[Michael B]

me? I'd get it out. I'd dump in a couple/three pints of 90% alcohol in the trans, and then into the rear sump if it was wet too.. plus a quart of diesel in each.. then run around the yard till warmed. then drain and refill. rememebr to change the hyd filter on t he hyds.

Yes sir you. I had read your 90% alcohol and diesel flush plan in another thread and that is what I plan to do. Thanks again for the explanation and filter reminder.

 

[art]

I'd get it out! The other side of leaving it is is the potential for rust and it probably would take two flushes any way before the water is all out.

 

[Michael B]

Have you had a serious talk with your Grandfather about selling it?
http://www.tractorhouse.com/list/list.aspx?manu=FORD&mdltxt=2600 shows asking prices from $4K to $9K.

Interesting. Sounds about what he paid for it new 30+ years ago.

I agree with newbury. The tractor needs a new home be it with family or another but my FIL passed at 93 and actually bushhogged with his a few months before he passed so taking away equipment due to age/lack of health is not always a simple task.

This was his first year not to bushhog with it. He is not ready yet to admit he should not. Not ready to cross that road. He most likely will not use it but he wants it running for peace of mind in case he wants to.

Ex. He gave me a cussing for taking the battery out to charge. When I asked what he needed tractor for, "uh...nothing". He just wants to say he could if he wanted type deal.

As long as he is alive that tractor will be sitting outside his house just as it has for as long as I can remember. And I hope that is a long time to come regardless of how many times I need to change the fluids.