What is this hole on the transmission for? (JD 5085E)

[Magicman710]

I noticed a small puddle of hydraulic fluid on the concrete below my new (5 hours) 5085E this morning. I found where it was coming from, this hole on the bottom of the transmission case. I initially thought it was leaking at the seal, but after I wiped the area I saw it puddling around this hole.

It's very similar to other holes around the bottom of the tractor, but all those holes have a end. It's threaded like the others but looking up into there is no end, its just black. I'm able to stick a nail through the hole and it comes out with hydraulic fluid on it.

 

[beenthere]

Maybe a drain hole to allow oil to exit, but leaves the question why is there oil there to drain. I'd stuff a shop towel into the hole (so it doesn't drip on the floor) and watch it over a period of time (as well as notify the dealer in case later it is a warranty issue).

I must say, that area is sure clean and spotless, save for the oil drips.

 

[MattLynch]

LOL, welcome to owning an E! To answer your question no, it should not leak there or anywhere else. But it does and it will. Call the dealer and they will hopefully fix it up for you.

 

[Magicman710]

I realize it shouldn't leak, I'm just wondering why in the world is there an open hole there in the first place.

 

[beenthere]

To let out any oil that is leaking ?? Likely don't want it pooling up where it is not needed. Check with your dealer..

You can go to jdparts.com and see just what is inside this part of the tranny. May help you to know.

 

[Soundguy]

fords and many other have a bellhousing weep hole to keep rear main leaks and tranny input shaft leaks drained.

 

[MattLynch]

I checked mine and it has the same hole, doesn't leak. If you have a leak out of that hole I suspect either a crack, porus casting, or the hole is drilled just a touch too deep. Proper fix is a new trans case, but some dealers will want to do a quick and easy fix.

 

[beenthere]

I checked mine and it has the same hole, doesn't leak. If you have a leak out of that hole I suspect either a crack, porus casting, or the hole is drilled just a touch too deep. Proper fix is a new trans case, but some dealers will want to do a quick and easy fix.

Not sure how you came to those conclusions that a proper fix is a new transmission case. Doesn't seem to add up to an oil leak. Maybe a seal or gasket or nut not tight.

 

[MattLynch]

Not sure how you came to those conclusions that a proper fix is a new transmission case. Doesn't seem to add up to an oil leak. Maybe a seal or gasket or nut not tight.

If the leak is coming from a threaded hole which is only drilled part way through the casting where is the fluid coming from?
I would however make sure that the oil isn't coming from somewhere else and pooling around that hole. I had several oil, coolant, and hydraulic leaks on mine at 20 hours, mostly due to fittings/clamps not tight, and poor quality clamps.

 

[Zebrafive]

If the leak is coming from a threaded hole which is only drilled part way through the casting where is the fluid coming from?
I would however make sure that the oil isn't coming from somewhere else and pooling around that hole. I had several oil, coolant, and hydraulic leaks on mine at 20 hours, mostly due to fittings/clamps not tight, and poor quality clamps.

In the first post he states it is not a blind hole. Is it a blind hole on your tractor?