Accidentally put 15w40 in transmission

[RjCorazza]

I think you are getting some good advice. I would personally drain the existing fluid and replace with spec fluid, then address the leak under warranty. The shop is unlikely going to want to do a complete drain to fix the leak, and the incorrect fluid, while inconsequential, will just add potential complications. I certainly wouldn't mention it.

 

[rScotty]

I wouldn't mention it. Certainly the 15w-40 is far better for the HST than no oil at all. Some of the John Deere commercial equipment - like the yellow backhoes you see on every job site - say right in the manual that they can be filled JD multi-weight engine oil or trans/hydraulic fluid.
The last time the JD dealer did my hydraulics he asked whether I wanted to fill with J20 HyGard or multi-weight engine oil.

 

[Ortimber]

Engine oil used in the wrong sump on a tractor won’t hurt a thing.

 

[can do]

hello. I did such a dumb thing today. New to ow ing a Kioti CS2210.
I noticed some fuild had been building up on the back "end" of the tractor, where I hook the 3 pt attachments. So, figured I have a leak. I found the dip stick and sure enough it was not reading any fluid. (This is where inexperience comes in) The sticker and fill cap both said OIL. I went to my handy dandy manual and looked up what type of oil....15w40 motor oil. Ran to the store and got some. Put almost the whole gallon in, nothing on the stick...so I went back to the manual. Thats when I realized I had put 15w40 in the hydrostatic transmission. Duh. I felt so stupid.

So now what? I did not run the engine after I put the fluid in and it is in neutral.

I realize I have the other issue of rhe leak and that there was no transmission fluid in there... thats one issue.

But my current concern is the wrong oil in the transmission. Anyone know how bad this really is? Can I just drain it, change the filters and put the correct oil in? Does it need professionally flushed?

Do not get a flush that can do more harm than good! Flushes tend force dirt & shavings into places where there is not a good flow & can block or restrict other passages & heed the advice from other members & don't mention that You put motor oil in & if your close to a pm tell them you want that done as well, While it's in for warranty work & if they should mention a flush just tell them NO! & welcome to TBN .

 

[tibadoe]

Thing's happen. At least you noticed your error and you are ready to fix it. I'll echo what everyone else is saying - easy fix: just drain and refill with proper fluid. If under warranty, get them to find leak and fix. If not under warranty, clean up the area and seek out the source of leak.

 

[Fuddy1952]

Like everyone said, drain, fill, warranty fix leak...don't say nothin'...
This will make you feel better:
As a kid I was mechanically inclined but not my older brother. He rarely drove our Farmall tractor but one day had radiator cap off, said "is this where you put the gas?" "Sure" I said. I was maybe 6-7, my Grandad chewed me out! I said I thought brother was joking.
Years later worked at a service station at 17.
Boss hired this guy we always were picking on. He had a '64 Falcon on the lift, drained tranny fluid. "Is this what you put in an automatic?" he asked holding up a can of Wolf Head 30W. "Sure" I said .
People leave and we had to tow it back. My boss chewed me out! I said I thought he was joking.

 

[nybirdman]

My JD mower uses the same oil in the engine and transmission.Tuff Torg K66.

 

[RalphVa]

hello. I did such a dumb thing today. New to ow ing a Kioti CS2210.
I noticed some fuild had been building up on the back "end" of the tractor, where I hook the 3 pt attachments. So, figured I have a leak. I found the dip stick and sure enough it was not reading any fluid. (This is where inexperience comes in) The sticker and fill cap both said OIL. I went to my handy dandy manual and looked up what type of oil....15w40 motor oil. Ran to the store and got some. Put almost the whole gallon in, nothing on the stick...so I went back to the manual. Thats when I realized I had put 15w40 in the hydrostatic transmission. Duh. I felt so stupid.

So now what? I did not run the engine after I put the fluid in and it is in neutral.

I realize I have the other issue of rhe leak and that there was no transmission fluid in there... thats one issue.

But my current concern is the wrong oil in the transmission. Anyone know how bad this really is? Can I just drain it, change the filters and put the correct oil in? Does it need professionally flushed?

Think there are very few additives in hydraulic fluid. So, any problem with additives not being compatible are non existent. I'd leave it until the next change.

 

[MHarryE]

Like rScotty said, you added better oil than it had. At Cat, we use 15W40 DEO in high temperature applications (Persian Gulf for one). It’s problem as a factory fill is it costs a lot more than hydraulic oil so it’s special order for high ambient temps but being nearly the same viscosity as standard hydraulic oil when cold, is useful everywhere except extreme cold where we have our Arctic series.

 

[hosspuller]

First, The posters that say drain transmission and refill with OEM specified fluid are correct.

Those that say fill with XX oil because BIL uses XX in his YY machine don't have any skin in the game. They don't pay anything for a failure. One could fill the tractor transmission with Crisco oil from the grocery store. Will it work ? maybe. But eventually something will fail.

Engineers have spent much time and effort considering the speeds, loads and materials used in the transmission, hydraulic system, brakes, steering, clutch, TC, reverser, etc. They've designed the machine with certain oil parameters. Deere, Kubota, Case, et al have their OEM oils. Unless any oil you use meets OEM specs, you're substituting ignorance for knowledge. OEM oil is relatively cheap compared to parts and labor.