More on 50 hr service

Cricket · Aug 30, 2002

I just completed the 50 hr service on my tc33d. When I pulled the filters off for the hydro transmission and the hydrolics I found the oil quite milky. This means to me that the oil was contaminated with water. My boomer has been under a dry pole barn since delivered. My question to the TBN forum, Has anyone else run into this and what kind of damage might have been done. Of course I changed the hyd oil and plan on taking this up with the Dealer and New Holland.

jinman · Sep 1, 2002

Cricket, I checked my hydraulic fluid many times up to the 300 hr change and it has always been crystal clear. A lot of air could cause your fluid to be "milky" as well as water, but if it's air, you should be able to put some into a container and watch it clear up as the air comes out of the fluid. Surely, you did the right thing by changing the fluid. I'd watch the new fluid closely to ensure it wasn't being contaminated by condensation. I don't know how it happened, but I'm guessing if you had water, it got into your tractor before you got it. Hopefully, you've seen the end to this problem, although draining the fluid might leave a tiny bit of residual moisture in the system. Good luck. If you saved some of the milky fluid and have a great dealer, he might reimburse you; however, I wouldn't hold my breath./w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Cricket · Sep 1, 2002

Thank you JimI. I put a couple gallons in a clear container to observe it. After four days now it is still milky. So far no water has seperated to the bottom. I dont mind the early change out of fluid. I am just worried about any long term damage that may have been done.

Cricket · Sep 7, 2002

I got ahold of my salesmen at the dealership and he said that the milky oil was normal condensation because we are in florida. He also said it was standard pracitce to change fluid every 100 hrs. I might be wrong {it has happened before} but this seems to me that the dealer is covering up. I will let it go at face value for now.

jinman · Sep 7, 2002

J.D., surely you could look around for someone else with a similar tractor in your area and ask them about their tractors. I think your dealer is blowing smoke since your owner's manual says the oil change interval is 300 hours. If your hydraulic oil is picking up that much water during 100 hours, what about engine oil, power steering, and fuel? Since I'm not in your area, I can't say for sure, but it sounds like your dealer is putting up a smoke screen on this one./w3tcompact/icons/sad.gif

skyler · Sep 7, 2002

JD
I have the same tractor as you and I live in Southern Louisiana where the humidity is the same if not higher than your area. I just did my 50 hour service and the fluid was crystal clear.

Alton

Cricket · Sep 9, 2002

Yes JinI it sure looks like a smoke job. Im sure the water came from the factory or shipping, as it was ordered and not off the lot. I dont understand why the dealer would cover up when it probably wasnt their fault. When I have a chance Im going to contact the manufacture and see what they say.

Cricket · Sep 9, 2002

You are right Alton. I have a MF35 and a 900 Ford under the same pole barn next to the TC33D and they have clear fluids. The only thing I am concerned about is damage that might have been done. The water has to have changed the properties of the oil. I know when water has leaked into the crankcase of old clunkers I have owned in the past it usually did bad things like removing lobes from the cam and such.