Hydrofliud drip, at the front weep hole

KrisHansen · Dec 8, 2004

Hey all,

Now that it's winter here in Vermont, my 33d gets to live in the garage.. well, last night I noticed a decent (6 inch) circle of fresh oil.. upon further inspection, it appears to be hyrdo fluid, as the engine oil is BLACK as night... Having never seen what's inside the case, I wonder how serious of an issue this is.. The fluid level is fine, actually still quite high after my overfill issue from the filter changes.. I should still be under warranty, but getting it to the dealer is another matter.. If this is not a huge deal, I'll let it be. If it is, well, I guess I'll have to bite the bullett and borrow or rent a trailer.

thanks all!

hazmat · Dec 8, 2004

Can you trace the leak? Your subject mentions front weep hole. Not sure what that might be.

Hydraulic fluid is used in the front axle & power steering in addition to the "main sump", trans, and rear axle.

Might be something as simple as a loose quick connect or fitting.

My personal comfort level is: If a seal/fitting on the tractor is "wet" that's OK. If it's leaving a puddle on the floor, time to fix it. How long to accumulate the 6" puddle?

DocHeb · Dec 8, 2004

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( a decent (6 inch) circle of fresh oil.. upon further inspection, it appears to be hyrdo fluid, as the engine oil is BLACK as night... Having never seen what's inside the case, I wonder how serious of an issue this is.. thanks all! )</font>

I'm not sure, but take a look at these threads to see if they're relevant:

13. Leaking hydrostatic test ports on transmission casing (below the tractor seat), caused by lack of thread sealant.

TC40D Hydraulic Leak Nice pictures from Jinman of the location of the test ports that may leak.

Minor Hydr Fluid Leak hopefully!

HST Just Won't Stop, Quit, Woah!

KrisHansen · Dec 8, 2004

Thanks guys.. There acually seemed to be 2 areas which were a little moist, the little cotter pin which peaks out of the hole near the engien, and right wehre the engine mounts to the case just aft of the engine block. (not sure what's in there). I think I will be calling the dealer, just in case.

djradz · Dec 8, 2004

I believe the cotter pin drain hole is in the case area between the transmission and engine and could indicate a main seal leak. Typically it's a leaking of the engine main seal, but if it looks like tranny fluid, that's probably what it is and could indicate a seal leak around the transmission input shaft. Are all the tranmission-to-engine casing bolts tight? I would think the thickness of the fluid should be a pretty good indicator and yes I agree the tranny fluid will likely be clean in your relatively new machine where the engine fluid is probably brown/black.

KrisHansen · Dec 8, 2004

I just spoke with my dealer.. they think it could be a leak from the hydrostatic motor or something in that area. They are hopefully going to be able to get it early next week, hopefully they dont' have to split it..

It's definitly not engine oil, it's too clean and 'slippery' to be.

Thanks for all replies!!

Soundguy · Dec 8, 2004

Don't hold your breath.. your description of a leak from the cotter pin hole.. and that it is clean oil not engine oil really points to a tranny input shaft or other tranny leak, especially since the dealer seems to think so to.

Don't bet on them NOT having to split the tractor to fix somehting that is sandwhiched in the middle of it.

That said.. don't sweat it either... splitting a tractor isn't rocket science.. the fact that it is still under warranty is great.. you will probably just have to pay a trip fee.. which will be mild in comparison to a split and reseal.

Soundguy

KrisHansen · Dec 9, 2004

Soundguy,

I am sure they will have to split it, I can't see how you could fix a problem within the case without opening it up. I'm not worried at all. My dealer provides the 'trip' for warranty work free, a VERY nice service!!!

I ran it a little last night, and it ran fine, though the hydraulics seemed a little slow.. this is most likely due to lack of use. Parked it, with a tray under the drips. There is hardly anything in the tray this morning.

Here is where it's leaking:

NED · Dec 9, 2004

Kris-Hansen I had a new 1995 NH 1520 that leaked in the same place as yours at about 30 hrs. the dealer had to split the tractor to replace a seal on the hydrostat shaft or the transmission I cant remember which. about 20 hrs. later it started leacking again same place.

djradz · Dec 9, 2004

Had the same problem with an axle seal on the back of my old 1720. Dealer, now out of business, did a xxxpy job on the repair and must have torqued the new seal just enough to cause it to fail after about 30 hours. Bought the next seal and did the job myself. Had to pull the rear half-axle housing though to do it as the seal installed from the outside, but you had to release the short axle shaft from the inside. Had it been the engine or tranny, not sure I'd have been so eager.