Strange smell

goldenpsp

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BX 23S
Nov 25, 2017
69
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6
Baltimore MD
I have a relatively new BX23S (about 26 hours on it so far). I was using the backhoe last night working on digging out a stump. I was working it fairly hard, but not any worse than I have before. I try not to strain the hydraulics due to seeing some horror stories of bending parts on the BH.

This time I did notice after about 45 minutes an odd "smell" i had not encountered before. It's hard to describe on a forum but the closest I could describe it as would be similar to WD-40 or similar. Not exactly like a burning engine oil smell, but not a gasoline smell either.

I looked around the hoses and pistons trying to pinpoint the smell, but I couldn't. I also did not see any obvious hydraulic leaks.
 

North Idaho Wolfman

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Jun 9, 2013
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Most likely if there are no leaks and it wasn't overheating it was probably just heating up the paint, it has an odd smell to it when it get hot the first few times. ;)
 

RCW

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BX2360, FEL, MMM, BX2750D snowblower. 1953 Minneapolis Moline ZAU
Apr 28, 2013
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Like Wolfman said, I’m thinking just normal heating first couple times.
Like he said, I assume you checked engine temperature gauge and all was well?


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redfernclan

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Jul 18, 2014
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Sweet home, Oregon
When you work them hard in one spot not moving, like when your using the hoe, I have notice you can smell the hyd oil when it heats up. gets hot, expands and you smell it when its vent. Normal.
 

goldenpsp

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BX 23S
Nov 25, 2017
69
0
6
Baltimore MD
Thanks everyone. @RCW yes engine temp was fine.

I've used the BH a fair amount but since I bought it in November its been through the winter and mostly cold. Now it's much warmer outside.

Also I think I was just getting paranoid. Now that spring is in full swing, I'm mowing. But I also have major landscaping projects going on in the back yard. So while over the winter everything stayed on, I'm literally removing and re-attaching the FEL and BH weekly to mow and then get back to the "fun" work.
 

JackJ

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Equipment
BX1870-1
Mar 14, 2016
264
9
18
Indiana
I also get a good whiff of hydraulic oil smell sometimes when working my BX hard. First couple of occasions it really alarmed me--thought a hose had ruptured or something. But no drips anywhere and no perceptible fluid loss either.

Next time your tractor is hot, pull the tranny dipstick, make sure no one is watching, and give it a good sniff to see if that's the culprit.
 

RCW

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BX2360, FEL, MMM, BX2750D snowblower. 1953 Minneapolis Moline ZAU
Apr 28, 2013
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pull the tranny dipstick, make sure no one is watching, and give it a good sniff to see if that's the culprit.
Good thought.

I was taught to smell car/truck transmission and power steering sticks MANY years ago. Still do.

I don't care if anyone is watching!:cool:
 

bucktail

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L1500DT, 6' king kutter back blade, boom, dirt scoop ford disk JD212
Jun 13, 2016
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Good thought.

I was taught to smell car/truck transmission and power steering sticks MANY years ago. Still do.

I don't care if anyone is watching!:cool:
Put a little on your neck and wrists. Drives the women crazy.
 

RCW

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BX2360, FEL, MMM, BX2750D snowblower. 1953 Minneapolis Moline ZAU
Apr 28, 2013
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Chenango County, NY
Put a little on your neck and wrists. Drives the women crazy.

Ha!! Don’t forget some PB Blaster and diesel....great combination..[emoji12]


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maclean

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BX25D
Jun 25, 2014
242
3
0
Lowell, Or
My friend had a mouse nest in his 3900...when he got it hot it would smell like amonina...he took it apart and packed a lot of the cavities under the dash and such with steel wool.