4630 power steering gaining fluid

Royse

Well-known Member
The power steering on this tractor keeps gaining fluid.
Enough that it pushes it out the filler cap.
Where might it be coming from?
When I took the filler cap off, fluid ran out from about half way up
the cap. It would be impossible to over fill it this far.
 
It's pretty much impossible for the PS system on that tractor to gain fluid. The only thing that could explain your situation is that the
fluid is aerating, which is usually taken care of with a seal kit.
 
(quoted from post at 11:18:41 09/06/20) The power steering on this tractor keeps gaining fluid.
Enough that it pushes it out the filler cap.
Where might it be coming from?
When I took the filler cap off, fluid ran out from about half way up
the cap. It would be impossible to over fill it this far.

two possibility. thermal expansion from hot oil and overfill or air being mixed into the oil.
 
Thanks Bern, I appreciate your experience and guidance.
If it were aerating, should I expect the level to go back down after
setting for a while? It has been setting two days now without being
started and the fluid is still full to the filler cap.
The fluid is clear and show no signs of water or air in it that I can see.
 
(quoted from post at 14:46:19 09/06/20)
(quoted from post at 11:18:41 09/06/20) The power steering on this tractor keeps gaining fluid.
Enough that it pushes it out the filler cap.
Where might it be coming from?
When I took the filler cap off, fluid ran out from about half way up
the cap. It would be impossible to over fill it this far.

two possibility. thermal expansion from hot oil and overfill or air being mixed into the oil.
A second vote for air, so it could be I suppose.
I think I can eliminate heat since it only takes a couple minutes of
run time, even when not being used/steered at all.
 
Just siphon off the extra into jugs and keep on running it. And then keep checking the levels of all of the the other fluids in the tractor. If everything stays topped off without having to add any fluid anywhere, call it a miracle, charge the religious pilgrims to see the tractor and sell the excess fluid as "holy oil".
 
(quoted from post at 16:38:16 09/06/20) Just siphon off the extra into jugs and keep on running it. And then keep checking the levels of all of the the other fluids in the tractor. If everything stays topped off without having to add any fluid anywhere, call it a miracle, charge the religious pilgrims to see the tractor and sell the excess fluid as "holy oil".
LOL that's funny Sean!
Another thing this power steering does that I haven't figured out.
When I shut the engine off, the steering wheel oscillates back and forth.
What would cause that? Air in the system too?
 
I would think that it would have settled down after sitting for 2 days. I can't explain why it's still full. However, if it becomes foamy and
spits out the cap, it is getting air into the oil.
 
When it does it the next time I run it, I'll open the cap and check
for air/foam. Thank you for the guidance!
 
When I shut the engine off, the steering wheel oscillates back and forth.
What would cause that? Air in the system too?

Does it steer OK when it's running? That oscillating after it is shutoff sounds like there's a flow restriction somewhere causing a pressure differential so that when you shut it off the pressure is being allowed to equalize around the flow restriction. Since everything in that power steering system outside the pump and the two lines is inside the steering gear, it sounds like you may be tearing onto the steering gear soon.
 
(quoted from post at 08:59:33 09/07/20)
When I shut the engine off, the steering wheel oscillates back and forth.
What would cause that? Air in the system too?

Does it steer OK when it's running? That oscillating after it is shutoff sounds like there's a flow restriction somewhere causing a pressure differential so that when you shut it off the pressure is being allowed to equalize around the flow restriction. Since everything in that power steering system outside the pump and the two lines is inside the steering gear, it sounds like you may be tearing onto the steering gear soon.
Yes, it steers fine when it's running. I haven't noticed any issues with that.
 

If it's foaming it's getting air in the fluid, since the air is mixed thru the whole system the fluid won't show low until the next time you start the tractor.
For me the foaming is usually caused by the filter in the pump reservoir having a hole in it allowing fluid the squirt out mixing air into the fluid, installing a new filter usually fixes the issue.
I'd say part of the steering wheel wobble when you shut the engine off is due to the air in the system but I've also see the steering wheels move on tractors with hydrostatic steering once the engine shuts off and system pressure relaxes.

Change the power steering filter and see what that does for it.
 

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