Water in hydraulic oil

mulcor · Jul 25, 2016

I have a UTB 445 3 cylindr diesel, (fiat engine) mid 70' era. I'm getting water in my hydraulic/differential/ power steering oil. I drain the oil from 2 plugs, one in the transmission pan and one in the differential. When I fire it back up it runs for about 20 minutes or so then the oil starts to foam again. My question is am I not draining all the oil/water in the system or is it possible I have gasket or cracked block issues? The coolant level is erratic but I always attributed that to t'stat operation. I'm gonna top off the rad and monitor it closer. Any ideas?

Steve@Advance · Jul 25, 2016

Can you tell if it's water or antifreeze?

Water can get in if it's stored outside, and it will emulsify in the oil. You can get some of it out, but the majority will be held in suspension.

If it's antifreeze, is there a hydraulic oil cooler? It could be leaking, same thing, the antifreeze will mix with the oil and be held in suspension.

Once you find the source, drain it best you can, leave it draining over night. Then do a partial fill, cheap stuff will do, run through all the motions, drain it again. If there is a filter, change it, then fill it with the good oil. It may still be a little milky, but will clear up as the water boils off.

mulcor · Jul 25, 2016

No oil cooler on the tractor and I can't tell if it's coolant, the oil just gets white and foamy. It can't be more water getting in from the outside because after I change oil I'll drive it right away and it'll start foaming again. I changed the filter and gone through 2 oil changes so its either I'm not getting all the water out or more getting in which means coolant getting through somehow. Tractor is at my camp and I left the plugs out to drain it, I'll head back in a say or so and try again.

Steve@Advance · Jul 25, 2016

What you are seeing might be air! Draw a sample off the bottom in a clean glass, let it sit. If air it will rise up and out, clear up. Water will stay milky, some will move down.

If there is a clogged suction strainer on the pump intake, a collapsed suction hose, loose or cracked suction line, it will suck air, foam, growl, have slow spongy reaction.

mulcor · Jul 25, 2016

That makes more sense than coolant getting in there somehow, I'll check the pails of old oil when I get back there, thanks.

Water in hydraulic oil

mulcor

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Steve@Advance

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mulcor

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mulcor

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