Water in Hydraulics of JD 5205

digger42 · Aug 7, 2013

How did I get water in the hydraulic system. I really don't get this one. Seems it badly rusted brake parts, but I am
really remiss to figure out how this happened. No leaky/loose hoses...but I read several threads indicating condensation being a probable cause. Can this be prevented or at least minimized? Even if a machine is stored in an uninsulated bldg it will sweat as a result of temperature changes..this machine spends most of the time outside unsheltered. Thanks!!

Soundguy · Aug 7, 2013

most oil is hygroscopic. get a tractor sump that has a porous cast iron sump wall coated with a thin layer of oil.. warm air.. then let it cool.. and you get moisture beads that then fall tot he bottom of hte sump. some of it emulsifies.. some settles out.

if you run it long enough you can flash off the water normally. but if it is not run as much.. it can collect.

seafoam transtune is a product you can add to trans and hyd oils to help them flash off and capture water. water and alcohol form an azeotrope.. and will flash off faster than water alone... ( alcohol is a polar solvent.. water is polar.. si it really does a good job of disolving water.. )

Tx Jim · Aug 7, 2013

Check to be sure the vent on the hyd oil filler cap is not plugged with dirt.

digger42 · Aug 7, 2013

Thank you...that could be the issue...red dirt country...I think you know what I mean.

Kaliburz · Aug 9, 2013

Another item to check, is the shift lever boots, if it is an open station tractor. If the boots are torn, and it rains, over time, water dripping down following the lever could make it's way into the trans. It happened to my older JD 2030 (mid 70's era), though the location of the levers are different on the 5205.

As far as I know, running the tractor and getting the oil to operating temp is one way. Unless you want to put a pan heater for the winter, but that will still have the condensation issues.

Also, have you added any oil lately? It's possible that the bucket you used could have gotten water into it.