L4400 Oil coming up through gear shift

[probolpher]

Hi folks. Hoping you can answer a question for me. My L4400 has been a great tractor but yesterday oils started leaking up through the bottom of the shifter lever for the transmission. It seems like there might be a relief valve that is clogged for the transmission. Has anyone ever heard of this?

 

[Dave M7040]

Far more likely you have an over fill condition.

Possible water in the transmission if the tractor sits outside. Pressure washing is another way to get water inside.

Check transmission fluid level.

If fluid level high, try partially removing the drain plug(s) after the tractor has been sitting. Just remove enough to see if water comes out as it will sink to the bottom of the transmission and be the first to drain out.

Dave M7040

 

[5030]

What Dave said.

 

[5030]

What Dave said.

Additionally, if the oil is coming out of the shifter, the shift boot is torn or missing. Replace it.

 

[Smokeydog]

These are good answers and are the first choice.

I had oil coming out the vent of a HST B26. Oil level was normal to low side of dipstick. The problem was cracks in a rubber elbow on the pump suction side that allowed air to be sucked in and foam the oil. A loose hydraulic filter or housing would give similar results. Could not see the cracks until disassembled and would not spot on the floor when parked except in the vent area. Took me awhile to figure out.

 

[Bob Thielman]

Yep. Water lurking at the bottom of transmission cases is pretty common in tractors which live outside. Water is diabolically clever that way.

 

[3Ts]

Check the breather tube to see if it is plugged (by a mud daubber etc). I had oil coming out of the gear shifter and opening up the breather tube fixed it.