water in trans - help

[jsjsteven]

I recently bought a john Deere 5055E tractor. I suspect a torn shift lever boot is how water got in the trans. The tractor was stored in an open shed where rain could easily come in at an angle and get to the tractor. I have replaced the boot and now to get the fluid clean.

I have drained and replaced the fluid one time and put BALDWIN BF1239 filter on it. From my research here this is a water collecting filter.

I have used the tractor a couple hours since the fluid/filter change. In the beginning everything was fine but the more I used it I noticed the steering getting a little choppy like it was starving for hydraulic fluid. Also the FEL is the same way. My thinking is that the filter has become full of water and not allowing enough fluid flow. I drained it yesterday and took the filter off to see what it looked like. The fluid still has some water in it - I didn't save any of the original fluid so I am working from memory as to the color of the fluid then compared to now.

Does this sound like what is going on... filter restricting flow? There were no issues except milky fluid before with the regular hydraulic filter in place.

I'm also open to any other suggestions on getting the fluid water free. Here is a pic of the fluid I drained yesterday - how bad does it look?

 

[beenthere]

Myself, I would put the correct JD filter in place.. a water-collecting filter seems would collect water and plug up which may be what is happening.
For sure tho, I do not know.

 

[Shaneard]

You'll probably have to change the fluid and filter several times to get most of it out, doubt you'll ever get it all out.

 

[crashz]

Ugh - that fluid still looks pretty bad. I agree with Shaneard, it will take a few oil/filter changes to get it out.

 

[beenthere]

I have drained and replaced the fluid one time and put BALDWIN BF1239 filter on it. From my research here this is a water collecting filter.

From what I read about the BALDWIN BF1239 filter, it is a fuel filter and not an hydraulic fluid filter. Would tend to think it isn't for removing water from the hydraulic tranny fluid.
Or am I missing something?

 

[jsjsteven]

From what I read about the BALDWIN BF1239 filter, it is a fuel filter and not an hydraulic fluid filter. Would tend to think it isn't for removing water from the hydraulic tranny fluid.
Or am I missing something?

Yes it is listed as a fuel filter but it has a water absorbing element. I found a few instances where guys have used them to remove water from trans is reason I used it. I plan on cutting it open and seeing how it looks on the inside just out of curiosity. Also a cross reference search does turn up similar filters listed as hydraulic filters.

 

[dfkrug]

I'm also open to any other suggestions on getting the fluid water free. Here is a pic of the fluid I drained yesterday - how bad does it look?

Looks better than mine. The implement pump has a hard time sucking watery oil thru the inlet screen (photo).

I recently picked up a poor neglected Kubota with this problem. I am trying SOUNDGUY's elixir: ATF, alcohol, diesel. I am about to drain that and refill with clean hyd fluid. At least this Kub has only a suction filter, so I do not have to buy and toss one or more spin-on pressure filters.

I also use my other tractor to articulate the loader to drain as much contaminated oil as possible.

 

[Evets Tsorf]

Not sure what the ATF and Diesel do in this concoction, would agree with alcohol as it will get the water in suspension in the fluid so it can be drained as it will just pool in low spots without getting in suspension. This will still take a couple changes to get out completely as there will be fluid trapped in actuators and other locations. In use the oil gets hot enough that the remaining water may cook off if the reservoir cap is left off during operation.