Transmission fluid discolored??? Kubota 1140

kubota.ray76

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Mar 3, 2017
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I check the transmission fluid yesterday and I noticed it’s was white-ish and the coolant was brown?

Anyone ever experience this or know how to fix it without breaking the bank???

Thanks
 

SidecarFlip

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White hydraulic fluid = water

Brown coolant = rust

Time t change both and flush the cooling system. Sounds like your AF is shot.

You do adhere to the recommended maintenance intervals don't you?
 

kubota.ray76

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How dose water get into the transmission? It’s been kept under a carport and what’s the best way to remove the rust? And no I do go off the maintenance intravels...
 

SidecarFlip

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Water in the fluid comes from 3 places, washing the unit with a pressure washer and getting water up under the seat and in the transmission case breather hose, Kubota's all have a breather hose / port to equalize the pressure in the case from hot to cold and it will also accumulate (condensation) in the case from running it and not running it long enough to 'boil' out the condensed water so it mixes with the fluid and it turns milky. Finally, letting the unit sit outside in the weather and allowing rain to get in case.

If I were you and you have a bellhousing drain plug, I'd pull that and drain the clutch housing too.

In my case, I'm working my tractors pretty hard so the fluid gets hot and vaporizes off the water which comes out the breather hose as vapor.

You need to drain the old coolant and get some quality radiator flush and clean it out. If you are really cheap, a little Dawn dishwashing detergent works too with clear water.

If the coolant is rusty, you ran it way past it's useful life. Tractors big and small need to be maintained or they let you down when you need them,
 

SidecarFlip

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How dose water get into the transmission? It’s been kept under a carport and what’s the best way to remove the rust? And no I do go off the maintenance intravels...
I'd suggest you start before it's too late. That includes engine oil, oil filter and air cleaner filters too.
 

SidecarFlip

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In as much as it's an RTV, did you submerge the unit at any time?
 

North Idaho Wolfman

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First you need to tell us what actual tractor or mower you have as Kubota never made a 1140, it has to at least have one letter before the numbers. ;)