Combined components- CharLynn and Behlen

Happyfeet

Member
My 400 is equipped with factory power steering that failed so I acquired a CharLynn unit and installed the Eaton pump and reservoir to operate the Behlen motor. The CharLynn reservoir is vented at the base of the cover mounting screw and all attempts to stop it from leaking have failed. The steering works great but spews fluid all over the tractor. Does the Eaton pump NEED to be vented?? Is my problem in combining the two systems? The reservoir was caked with oily dust when I got it off another tractor so I am left wondering.Thanks in advance for your replies.
 
ANY hydraulic system needs to be vented, to accommodate temperate changes.

If it's piddling out the vent, the reservoir is either too full, or there's a leak in the suction side of the system (could even be the pump shaft seal) that allows air to enter the system and make the oil foam.

On another point, what oil are you using? Some foam more thanothere's, and I can't specifically tell you what the best choice would be. Perhaps some others will have some input on that?
 
Yes , there is a filter. I replaced it with a new one upon installation. The reservoir has instructions to fill it to 1/4 inch below the lip of the bowl. I presently have Hy-Tran in it because that is what the Behlen/IH factory set up would be running. The Behlen pump does have a slow drip out of the front around the steering shaft, so that is a good place to start and I already bought a quart of power steering fluid on the advice of a mechanic. I think a new O-ring in the Behlen will go a long way in correcting my issue. Previous reasearch on this sight had pointed that direction, A good way to learn is by asking questions and I again say thank you!
 
all the ps pumps on my letter series are not vented. the wing nut that holds tha cap to the resevoir has a washer and rubber gasket under it, along with a rubber gasket around the rim of the cap. try putting a home made gasket under the wing nut and see if it helps.
 
here is a pic from the parts manual. 746 is a gasket that goes below the filter mounting spring. i have rubber gaskets under 753 on the lid cover
also.
a253487.jpg
 
Great info,glennster! My reservoir looks just like the one pictured. My gasket around the outside of the reservoir top is good, all the leaking occurs at the stem and wing nut. A previous owner put a large washer with a slight groove into the set up on top that I don't think belongs there. I will experiment a bit more and see what I can do. Thanks!
 
Mine have the washer with grove, and if I remember correct some have 2 groves in the washer. Doesn't the lid have a small hole in the pocket around the lid stud? Don't think that hole would be there if they didn't plan to vent.
 
My set up is exactly as you are describing with the vent hole and the grooved washer, the washer looks to be factory made , not homemade. I'm going to replace the O-ring seal in the Behlen, change out the Hy-tran for power steering fluid, and lower the fluid level a bit. If all of that fails to stop the leaking, I can try some washer/rubber gaskets around the spring assembly. Something is obviously wrong and it will take some tinkering to find it.
 
Here is another question about my power steering set up. When plumbing the CharLynn pump and reservoir, Where does the fluid return line and the outgoing fluid line go? One goes on the bottom underneath the filter and the other comes in the side of the reservoir. Mine is plumbed exactly as I removed it from the other tractor, it draws filtered fluid from the bottom. This makes the most sense to me so that more surface area of the filter is used but I'm just looking at all possibilities. I got my new O-ring installed on the Behlen motor.That cured that leak. That O-ring is easy to find at your CaseIH dealer but not at a hardware store. Part number 350818R1. I'm still getting some fluid out the top cover vent hole but not as much. More experimenting to do. Thanks for your replies!
 
Just a follow up to my power steering leak problem. Today I installed a rubber washer under the spring. Part # 746 in glenster's pic of a Char-Lynn manual. I had tried several other combinations of washer fixes without #746 that failed. As I stated earlier, the unit was caked with dirt and oil when I got it and did not have that rubber washer below the spring. It now does not leak (Hooray!) so apparently that washer did the trick. My suspicion is that the fluid draw thru the filter was not sealed correctly and draw down the stem bolt was causing a back wash and foaming. Now ALL the fluid draw occurs thru the filter as it is supposed to. I ran it at various engine speeds and drove it around the yard. I turned the wheel at idle speeds and 1200 RPM parked in the shop and warmed up to running temperature with no leaks. It seems to function much smoother than before. I think it is cured. Thanks again for all your replies!
 

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