Coolant in Hydraulic System?

[palmetto]

Hello. New here and I have a question about my IH 784 tractor.

I was doing some maintenance and noticed the hydraulic fluid had the characteristic milky look like water or coolant contamination.

The hydraulic system has an independant cooler in front of the radiator and I don't see any evidence of the hydraulic system using the engine coolant for cooling like on a car. Also, the radiator doesn't seem to be low and the coolant looks clear.

Any ideas? Thanks.

 

[Ken]

Some where you have gotten water into the system. color of white milky foam. maybe the fill cap was left off or water in the bucket of replacement fluid.
I would drain refill sys. change filter and recheck how water could enter. Letting the drained fluid settle you can see how much seperates a cup full can cause a lot of foam.
ken

 

[Yankee Clipper]

Ken,

If it has been a while since you changed your fluid, I would change it now. HyTran and most other fluids suspends about 5% water and once it is loaded, the fluid will turn darker and then get an emulsion going like you describe.

Good luck!

 

[palmetto]

Thanks.

The tractor had been setting outside when I got it. I couldn't see any obvious way for rain to have gotten into it. I did notice that the hydraulic dipstick tube was fractured and have changed it. The fill plug behind the seat is like a pipe plug, so it would seem to be fairly water tight.

Do you all think it's unlikely to be coolant rather than rainwater?

Either way, I'll be changing the fluid.

 

[kennyd]

It's NOT coolant, it's water. Change it soon.

 

[Skyco]

You better hope it is water and not coolant. Coolant is much more damaging to bearings than just water alone.

 

[palmetto]

It's NOT coolant, it's water. Change it soon.

Will do for sure. Thanks.

 

[palmetto]

Now I have the drain plugs out and am draining the nasty stuff.

The question I have is about the rest of the system, the steering, the cooler, etc. and what's the best way to clean the whole thing out. Thanks.

 

[kennyd]

There is no great way unfortunately. The best way is to buy some cheap fluid like from TSC or Wal-Mart, run-it a while and repeat till you get clean/clear fluid. On the final fill you can use better stuff.

 

[palmetto]

Guess I'll pick some up tomorrow. Got a filter on the way too.

Was hoping to pick up a brush hog pretty quick. I guess I had better wait and see how this turns out. I've seen transfer cases get water in them before, but then there was no question how it happened.