Site Glass Leaking Like Sieve

Jay4200 · May 1, 2006

I have a fairly substantial hydraulic fluid leak coming from the site glass on my L4200. From what I can gather, the things pop in and out and are simply sealed with come kind of goop. I'm hoping I can just pop out the glass, re-goop, and stick it back in. True? If so, what is used for the goop?

Thanks - J

wushaw · May 1, 2006

I belive it is just an "O" ring that is suppose to keep it from leaking.
The goop is maybe from a previous owner trying to save a few cents???

Jay4200 · May 1, 2006

I don't know that it's 'gooped', per se, that is just my assumption. I'm hoping that someone on this board knows exactly what the deal is with the things.

Thanks - J

john_bud · May 1, 2006

I think the site glass is held in by epoxy and is a factory deal and not some shade tree cobble. The service manual does not mention anything about it, so they must think it's pretty self explanatory! Try scraping the old epoxy out and to get the glass out with a suction cup (like a kids suction cup dart gun).

jb

PineRidge · May 2, 2006

Drain the hydraulic oil below the sight glass. Clean the old epoxy off then clean the surrounding area with solvent, and get some JB Weld from Home Depot. It's water soluble so you can shape it with a wet finger and clean the sight glass before it cures. In 24 hours it will be rock hard and permanent, then don't forget to replace the hydraulic oil before you go play.

N80 · May 2, 2006

Warning, rant follows:

I hate the whole idea and concept of a sight glass. I think it is a terrible system. You have no idea how low the fluid actually is if it is below the window. The location is such that it is always dirty and hard to get to with implements attached. If the tractor isn't -perfectly- level you get an inaccurate reading. What on earth is wrong with a graduated dip stick?!?

Rant over.

The site glass on my L4400 is hexagonal shaped. So, I assumed it was a low torque screw in deal with some type of sealer (goo). Anyone know if they have threads?

RichNJKubota · May 2, 2006

I agree, The sight glass is good for a quick check as you walk by or are hoooking up equip. But if the level is below the sight glass you have no idea just how low. Is it time to panic and look for leaks or is it just a little low?

npaden · May 2, 2006

Or if you don't feel like draining any oil just park the tractor on an incline or drive the rear tires up on blocks and the oil will be below the site glass and you can change it out.

GregH · May 2, 2006

Jay, do the smart thing and go to the dealer and look at it on his parts machine. You may find it is broken like mine was. They use a silicone type sealant and it also is a friction fit, if it like my mine. You can see on the picture how it goes in. DO NOT USE JB WELD as it will create problems of its remove in case you break another one. I use a 2x4 to place against the site glass after applying the sealer and gently tapped it it. Have no idea why mine cracked but it was inside where you could not see it.
hope this helps
GregH

Jay4200 · May 3, 2006

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Jay, do the smart thing and go to the dealer and look at it on his parts machine. You may find it is broken like mine was. They use a silicone type sealant and it also is a friction fit, if it like my mine.)</font>

Do the smart thing? Pfft, that'd be the day /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif.

It looks like mine is probably a silicone and friction system the same as yours. How did you get your broken glass out - pry with a screwdriver?

Jay