Seal problem on a Case 431

flatpkr

Member
I have a Case 431 triple range diesel tractor. I notice oil around the 4 speed shift lever where it enters transmission. Checked the oil level and found it was above the high mark. Checked the torque tube level and it was below the low mark. Apparently the seal between the two units is leaking. Instead of splitting the tractor in two to replace the seal, would some of the products used to renew seals be ok to add to torque tube fluid to see if that stops the leak?
Thanks
Jim
 
Loren is right on. It usually is never the 2 seals between the range housing & tranny housing. The other very common place oil transfers is where the PTO shaft enters the Diff housing from the tranny housing. There is 1 seal there. Replacing the rockshaft piston, or the PTO seal do not require splitting, and both are accessed after removing the top cover. However the PTO unit will need to be removed to replace that seal.
 
I have a snowblower on the back in the raised position, doesn?t seem to be dropping any. So maybe the pto shaft seal?
Thanks John and Loren for the info.
Jim
 
Give the weight test on the Eagle hitch overnight at least to check drift down, a small oil leak can be a lot of oil over time. You have to pull the hitch piston/rockshaft assembly housing to replace the piston seals, as well as, check the pto shaft seal for leakage or replacement.

The pto shaft seal is located at the front of the differential cavity. Check for oil leakage through the shaft seal. Ensure the torque tube sump is full and it helps to run the engine a few minutes and shutdown, dry the seal area and watch for oil seepage. The slightest smear of oil leak will be a lot of oil over time.

Joe
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Thanks Joe for the pictures and description. I have the snowblower on the rear, raised right now and I?ll see how far it drops ,if any, In the morning.
Thanks
Jim
 
The snowblower was in the raise position over night, 14 hours, and it settled 2? or slightly less in that time. Is that an indication of problems?
Jim
 
The hitch is maintained in the raised position by a hydraulic lock provided by the safety interlock and backed up further by the control valve. Drift down can only occur if the piston seals leakbye (into the transmission) and/or possible but not probable back through the interlock and control valve.

Your drift down indicates a leak however minor. Depending on how much the hitch is used, left in the up position, and the last time the correct oil levels were checked to determine if the piston seals are the sole source of the oil migration.

If you don't need the hitch, you could correct the transmission and torque oil levels, use the tractor w/o the hitch and keep an eye on the torque tube oil level. The PTO shaft seal leaks most when the hydraulic oil is warm and the shaft is stopped.

Personally I would pull the hitch piston/rockshaft assembly cover and check the PTO shaft seal for leakage. I would definitely renew the hitch piston seals and very likely PTO shaft seal whether proved leaking or not while the access is open.

There are at least 3 different piston/seals types used on the Eagle hitch. Eyeball which one you have before buying replacement. You piston choices are shown at the link.

Joe
https://partstore.caseih.com/us/parts search.html?csid 06d2eda400779b333b607f13328d81c3&sl EN&currency epc::mr56605ar847969
 
Thanks much Joe. This looks like a job I can handle,but will probably wait for warm weather to do it. In the mean time I?ll Adjust the fluids and see if can get an idea where it?s coming from.
It?s great to get such thorough information with pictures. Really appreciate it.
Jim
 
Your hitch leak is very minor, you could use the hitch some keeping loose track of how much and putting the draft arms down when not necessary to lift. PTO shaft seal leak tends to be more aggressive since it continues to leak to some degree after shutdown depending on the oil level height above the shaft in the torque tube. Check the torque tube oil level after you shutdown and the oil temp is ambient. Check it again next day or later, any drop is PTO shaft seal leakage assuming you don't have any external leaks. Use chalk on the dipstick for a accurate level check.

Joe
 

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