M5030SUMDT is pouring hyraudlic fluid out of breather hoses

[qcf]

Hi all, first time poster. I have an old M5030 and I love it. I had a guy replace the clutch(twice actually, as he failed the first time) and now I have an odd issues. One issue is when I'm running it, hydraulic oil comes out the breather tubes clutch housing. A lot of oil to where it leaves a snail trail. Maybe it's not related to the clutch replacement, but I thought it worth mentioning. I'm hoping someone has an idea. If not, I have to pull off the loader to get at the inspection plates.

Thanks!!

 

[Bee-Positive]

Since you didn't mention it I'll be the first to ask the obvious question, did you check the fluid level?
Maybe the guy over filled it?

 

[Bee-Positive]

P.S. - WELCOME TO OTT!

 

[Russell King]

I think that fluid out of the breather means it is getting very foamy and is not breaking down the bubbles quick enough. That forces fluid bubbles to be ejected out the tube and then turn to fluid again.

So be sure you have the correct type of fluid with anti foaming agent that the manufacturer recommends (Probably SUDT2).

To see if is really foaming up, use it as normal for an hour or so and then look into the transmission fill port. Hopefully you can see directly to the fluid surface and can see if it is full of foam, fluid is full of air bubbles or fluid is fairly clear.

Report back what you find and see if you can get suggestions on what to do to reduce the foaming.

 

[Fedup]

You're getting oil out of the breather tube hoses on top of the clutch housing? If that's the case it's probably not an oil foaming issue. More likely oil leaking into the clutch housing from the transmission, then getting slung around by the flywheel and forced out the vent tube.

At least that's my take on it. There should be no pressure in the clutch housing. Is there any sign of oil dripping out the bottom, or is there maybe a plug down there? The parts list shows vent tubes on top but no plugs or drain vents on the bottom.

 

[qcf]

Since you didn't mention it I'll be the first to ask the obvious question, did you check the fluid level?
Maybe the guy over filled it?

It was not at the top of the two notches a week ago, so correct level.

 

[qcf]

I think that fluid out of the breather means it is getting very foamy and is no breaking down the bubbles quick enough. That forces fluid bubbles to be ejected out the tube and then turn to fluid again.

So be sure you have the correct type of fluid with anti foaming agent that the manufacturer recommends (Probably SUDT2).

To see if is really foaming up, use it as normal for an hour or so and then look into the transmission fill port. Hopefully you can see directly to the fluid surface and can see if it is full of foam, fluid is full of air bubbles or fluid is fairly clear.

Report back what you find and see if you can get suggestions on what to do to reduce the foaming.

Will do. And I use a local company's white labeled Chevron that is UDT2 compliant. I'll triple check with them tomorrow.

 

[qcf]

You're getting oil out of the breather tube hoses on top of the clutch housing? If that's the case it's probably not an oil foaming issue. More likely oil leaking into the clutch housing from the transmission, then getting slung around by the flywheel and forced out the vent tube.

At least that's my take on it. There should be no pressure in the clutch housing. Is there any sign of oil dripping out the bottom, or is there maybe a plug down there? The parts list shows vent tubes on top but no plugs or drain vents on the bottom.

There is a plug down there I'm pretty sure. I did drain it when I changed fluid but I dont remember how much came out, but I feel like it was a good amount, whatever that means.

 

[Russell King]

I agree with @Fedup that if there is NOT fluid in that housing, foaming shouldn’t be the problem.

I assumed that the vent is in the oil filled transmission case, not the (supposedly) dry clutch housing area.

If you just meant you had to drain oil out of the clutch housing then that is possible due to seal leakage from the engine or the transmission or both.

 

[qcf]

I agree with @Fedup that if there is NOT fluid in that housing, foaming shouldn’t be the problem.

I assumed that the vent is in the oil filled transmission case, not the (supposedly) dry clutch housing area.

If you just meant you had to drain oil out of the clutch housing then that is possible due to seal leakage from the engine or the transmission or both.

I'll pull it into the barn and confirm my memory in the next few days and post an update. Thanks all!

 

[qcf]

I agree with @Fedup that if there is NOT fluid in that housing, foaming shouldn’t be the problem.

I assumed that the vent is in the oil filled transmission case, not the (supposedly) dry clutch housing area.

If you just meant you had to drain oil out of the clutch housing then that is possible due to seal leakage from the engine or the transmission or both.

I pulled the drain plug on the housing in the picture above, and it seems like motor oil and around 3.5 quarts. So I'm thinking rear main seal, which was supposed to be replaced with the guy replaced the clutch. Maybe a seal from transmission side as well. I should have just done the job myself to begin with. This will be fun.

Thanks again for all your input.

 

[Russell King]

You are welcome and good luck with your tractor!

You can try to figure out how fast it is leaking and from which side by leaving the drain plug out and using the tractor for a while.

Fill the engine oil to the full mark and also the transmission to be full. For the transmission you may need to make a stick to measure the level through the fill port and mark the level on the stick.

You should rig up some catch bucket underneath the drain to see how quickly it is leaking.

Then use the tractor for some time and see if you can figure out if it is leaking fast enough to worry about and if it is engine oil (black) or hydraulic oil (clear).

You may need to replace the clutch friction plate if it is oil soaked.