Now I did it! Hydraulic filter crash..........

[gmsssi]

Ok all, I need some help.............

I hit something that dented my hydraulic filter pretty bad and I'm now losing hydraulic fluid at one fitting. The fitting appears to be tight but I have not put a wrench on it. It's in a spot thats not going to be easy to get a wrench on.

There is no hydraulic leak at the filter, just at the mentioned coupling 2 foot from the filter. Tractor got a little hot also but I did get it shutdown just as it entered the red area on the guage. Any thoughts or ideas of what may have happened? Why'd it get hot? Did the hydraulics overpressurize? I do still have a level put it's very low.

All help is appreciated!

 

[Dargo]

Greg, can you post a pic? Without seeing, I cannot offer any useful suggestion.

 

[Charolais]

My first thought is with the dented filter the system may now be starved for hyd. oil. You did say dented pretty bad.

 

[Nasty135]

It could be that you cut off the flow of the hydraulic fluid through the filter, which probably caused pressure build up and heat, seamingly enough to cause a leak at a weak spot...

First thing I would do is replace the bashed filter and see if the leak stops as well...(might not since it has been compromised) /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif Sorry to hear about this...

 

[odleefs]

Greg,
As you are aware, the dented filter should be replaced whether or not it is the source of the leak. But before replacing the filter, you could add some additional hydraulic fluid that has been dyed yellow (dyed with sodium fluorescein). When lit with a black (UV) light, the leak point(s) would glow bright green (blue blocking glasses really enhance this fluorescent effect). The Fluorescein dye should not harm any of the hydraulic components.

 

[gmsssi]

More info and pictures......

The antifreeze loss was from the drain line clamp blown/pulled off.

After replacing the filter and adding some fluid it still leaks. This picture is a distance shot of the general area of the leak. The fitting that's leaking is behind the unfastened fitting.

 

[gmsssi]

Closer shot

 

[gmsssi]

As close as I could get and stay in focus. Man it's hard to get to and I think a 27mm wrench, the only one I don't have.... /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[wushaw]

Well as you well know it's one of two things... the female side or the male... finding out which one can be a pain.
I would inspect the female side real close for any hairline crack.

 

[gmsssi]

Well all I'm back in the saddle. Had to remove the return line and round up a 27mm wrench. Unfastened the bad fitting and found no trauma to either end. Tighten and filled with fluid, ran it an hour. So far so good! Thanks to all that gave input......... /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif