Hydraulic fluid down a little

[twindman]

I had what appeared to be water, run out under the rig about 10-12 feet from the back when I stopped after a day's driving. I thought it was the fresh tank but I only fill it 1/3 full. Anyway, it drips/slow runs out right in the middle. It just so happens there was a previous opening there and when I opened it the slide cylinder was right there. Lippert replaced 2 cylinders when the unit was almost new (at the rally).

Anyway, there was no oily residue, etc in that area. Wouldn't the fluid be kind of oily? So I checked the fluid level, and it is indeed down about 1/2 or 3/4 inch. I think in the past it was always on the line drawn at the top.
Anyway, where do I go from here?

[432bartman]

Have you looked at your levelers and your slides to see if there is fluid leaking from them. That's where I'd look first, and of course where your lines run into the front compartment where your hydraulic pump is.

[Carl n Susan]

It definitely should feel oily if it is hydraulic/transmission fluid. I suspect water from either a leaky pipe (running the water pump should tell you if there is a leak) or an accumulation from a rain storm (were you driving in the rain?).

[twindman]

I don't have levelers, so only leaks could be in the slides. I will have to check underneath in some more places, I guess.

[Lee-CI]

Run into this in my line of work deciphering between water or hydraulic fluid. Usually rub the fluid residue between thumb and forefinger. If a mix of both water and hydraulic fluid residue mixed and having difficulty telling for sure, then the smell test. May not sound appealing, but does work - at least it does in an offshore environment. Good luck chasing this one down.

[dieselguy]

I can't answer your leak source, but I can clear up hydraulic reservoir info. Most of us wrench spinners say as long as it's within 1" of the top of the reservoir (with all slides in and landing gear up) ... you're good. Just guessing if you think the level is down by some small amount, there are small air bubbles in the system after any component replacement despite cycling the slides in and out completely several times. Over time they work out. !/2" on your reservoir is probably no more than a cup to a cup and a half ... no worries unless that 1/2" continues to grow.

[twindman]

Dieselguy - I hope you are right. Especially after hearing about someone else on another thread spending >$4000 on a new pump and motor.

[Griller]

What fluid do you use mine is clear

[jeffba]

Originally Posted by Griller

What fluid do you use mine is clear

if you need to add some and haven't already add a quart of fork oil

[ChuckS]

Originally Posted by Griller

What fluid do you use mine is clear

AW32 hydraulic fluid .. mine uses this also