Kubota Hydraulic filter won't seal with the magnet installed

[nondem]

I'm trying to do the 50 hour service on my L2502. The manual calls for replacing both hydraulic filters. The one on the right side I was aware would gush fluid when I pulled it so I was ready...or thought I was. The sealed/new filter(HHK32-16772) didn't come with a magnet so I cleaned/swapped the old one into the new filter. I put it back on and it would NOT stop leaking. I tightened it as much as I could w/o damaging it and it still dripped. I pulled it again and double-checked the positioning of the magnet and it seemed to fit just like on the original filter. Put it back in and it still leaked...I tightened it again and ran the tractor to see if it just needed pressure to get a seal. Still dripped. Pulled it again and found the magnet had broken - likely from me overtightening it. So I left the magnet out and the filter seals up fine.

At this point I don't know what to do. If I pull it again I'll have dumped most of the fluid. Then I'll have to risk another full load of fluid just to see if it's going to leak again.

The service manual shows the magnet should be there and it looks like I could buy it separate. If I do I could easily end up in the same loop again, dumping about $30 of UD2 fluid at each try.
The other filter went fine...and like I said, the new one isn't leaking now that there is no magnet.
During my 3 passes with it off I confirmed there aren't double gaskets and the sealing surface looks fine.
I did use all OEM Kubota filters from my dealer...The one on the right side w/the magnet was $60 by itself.
I'm aware of the Shop-vac trick and would have done it but didn't mind losing a gallon or two...I'm rethinking the wisdom of that now. I'm trying to treat this tractor well but Kubota is making it tough!

 

[McMXi]

I'm confused by your post. Never mind. I'm just confused altogether.

OK ... it's a little clearer now. HHK32-16772 is just the hydraulic filter, and HH3A0-82623 is the hydraulic filter and magnet that are on the right side, and HHK70-14073 is the other hydraulic filter on the left side. I don't know how you managed to break the magnet, but leaks can occur if the o-ring is left on the engine but it sounds like you're on top of that.

Wait, did you put a magnet on the filter on the left side?

 

[nondem]

This is a shot from the manual.
This is the engine oil filter: Kubota OIL FILTER(CARTRIDGE,OIL) - HH164-32430
The one I'm struggling with is the same shape/size as the original grey painted one on the right side but I obviously couldn't read the number on it. I see now that the part number you mention might be the one w/the magnet on it. Maybe the one I have isn't meant to use a magnet - but wtf would they do that?

 

[ruger1980]

I'm confused by your post. HHK32-16772 is the engine oil filter and HH3A0-82623 is the hydraulic oil filter that gets the magnet. Did you put a magnet on the engine oil filter?

Kubota #HH3A0-82623 Hydraulic Filter

Kubota #HHK32-16772 FILTER(OIL,CARTRIDGE

FILTER(OIL,CARTRIDGE

www.messicks.com

 

[McMXi]

View attachment 150130

Yeah thanks .... I eventually got up to speed. Magnet on right side, no magnet on left.

 

[McMXi]

View attachment 150129
This is a shot from the manual.
This is the engine oil filter: Kubota OIL FILTER(CARTRIDGE,OIL) - HH164-32430
The one I'm struggling with is the same shape/size as the original grey painted one on the right side but I obviously couldn't read the number on it. I see now that the part number you mention might be the one w/the magnet on it. Maybe the one I have isn't meant to use a magnet - but wtf would they do that?

Yes, no magnet on the left side filter. Or doesn't look like it based on the schematic and photos.

Kubota L2502HST Parts Diagrams

Kubota Parts Catalog Lookup. Buy Kubota Parts Online & Save!

www.messicks.com

 

[nondem]

yea...and it looks like they are supposed to work together anyway...Maybe

Yes, no magnet on the left side filter. Or doesn't look like it based on the schematic and photos.

Kubota L2502HST Parts Diagrams

Kubota Parts Catalog Lookup. Buy Kubota Parts Online & Save!

www.messicks.com

Correct - the one on the left side has/had no magnet and it swapped out no problems. All this is with the one on the right side that dumps an amazingly thick stream of fluid when you pull it.

 

[McMXi]

yea...and it looks like they are supposed to work together anyway...Maybe

Correct - the one on the left side has/had no magnet and it swapped out no problems. All this is with the one on the right side that dumps an amazingly thick stream of fluid when you pull it.

This sure is a mystery. Out of interest, did you install the right side filter using a wrench or just hand tight? When I install an oil filter I make it as hand tight as I can get it. I've never used a filter wrench over decades of oil changes and never had a filter leak, ever. I typically try to get the filter to turn 3/4 of turn once the gasket makes firm contact with the oil filter housing. The reason I ask is that could it be possible to compress the gasket enough to break the magnet? I can't see that happening unless a filter wrench is used.

 

[nondem]

This sure is a mystery. Out of interest, did you install the right side filter using a wrench or just hand tight? When I install an oil filter I make it as hand tight as I can get it. I've never used a filter wrench over decades of oil changes and never had a filter leak, ever.

yes, the left side one just hand tight. Like you, my rule of thumb is also only do as tight as I can get it with a clean dry hand...after that failed on this right side filter is when i tried using a cup wrench to get it tighter. That didn't work either...

 

[McMXi]

yes, just hand tight. Like you, my rule of thumb is also only do as tight as I can get it with a clean dry hand...after that failed on this filter is when i tried using a cup wrench to get it tighter. That didn't work either...

Hopefully members such as @whitetiger have some idea as to what's going on. Sorry to hear that you're having to deal with this. I've been incredibly lucky with four Kubota tractors, whether it's removing the factory installed filters, installing new filters/magnets etc. I'd rather be lucky than good I suppose. I'll be following this thread to see what the issue is and how it gets solved.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Did you make sure the old gasket came off?
I've had quite a few stay stuck on housing.
When you put the magnet in the filter did it look like this?
And was not higher than the seal?
Put a vacuum on the filler, and pull the filter and take a picture of it.

HH3A0-82623

I'm betting that the HHK32-16772 does not except the magnet, because it has a raise rim inside the gasket.

HHK32-16772

 

[nondem]

Did you make sure the old gasket came off?
I've had quite a few stay stuck on housing.
When you put the magnet in the filter did it look like this?
And was not higher than the seal?
Put a vacuum on the filler, and pull the filter and take a picture of it.

HH3A0-82623

View attachment 150147

I'm betting that the HHK32-16772 does not except the magnet, because it has a raise rim inside the gasket.

HHK32-16772
View attachment 150148

 

[nondem]

You may have something there! I'm heading to the dealer tomorrow to get another couple of gallons of UDT2 and I'll get them to show me both filters. If the one I used has the ridge then that solves the mystery in one way. The problem is that per the diagram the one that comes with the magnet is the same filter but with a magnet included. I'll problably bite the bullet and buy the one with the magnet depending. ...and do the shop vac trick.

 

[McMXi]

You may have something there! I'm heading to the dealer tomorrow to get another couple of gallons of UDT2 and I'll get them to show me both filters. If the one I used has the ridge then that solves the mystery in one way. The problem is that per the diagram the one that comes with the magnet is the same filter but with a magnet included. I'll problably bite the bullet and buy the one with the magnet depending. ...and do the shop vac trick.

If @North Idaho Wolfman is correct and the schematic is wrong, I think that the dealership should give you a new (correct) filter and some hydraulic oil at no charge. Anyone would reasonably assume that it's the same filter with or without the magnet, based on Kubota's schematic.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

If @North Idaho Wolfman is correct and the schematic is wrong, I think that the dealership should give you a new (correct) filter and some hydraulic oil at no charge.

I've seen it before that the filters are not a 100% crossover for the magnet when they change part numbers.
I'm not sure if this is the case or not as I don't have those filters handy to look at.

 

[Yooper]

I just serviced my tractor and noticed that the magnet was built into the new filter. Is it possible that you have two magnets on the filter which would prevent it from sealing?

 

[nondem]

Mystery solved! The filter I had HHK32-16772 DOES have the ridge and won't take a magnet. I purchased the HH3A0-82623 that has the magnet and it went right on hand-tight w/no leaks. Man that was an ordeal...cost me about $130 more than it should have but still cheaper and less hassle that hauling it up to the dealer. Thanks to all of you for the discussion. I've learned from it and maybe some future google-searcher will benefit from my folly. Oh, and I did use the shopvac trick this time and it worked great. Very little spilled.