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Hydraulic leak in engine bay

Yahoo Message Number: 115213
As I pulled into my campsite in Denver, I saw oil dripping from my mudflap. I opened the engine bay doors and was greeted with the shocking sight of oil everywhere in the engine bay. It was not crankcase oil but hydraulic fluid (ATF). At first I thought it was a hose that had chaffed and leaked, but it turned out to be the jam nut on top of hydraulic fan motor was loose. It wouldn't leak at low pressure, but when hot or revved up it was blowing out of there, and caught by the fan blowing everywhere in the engine bay. Total mess. I lost about 3 qts of fluid in about 400 miles. Worse yet, the oil was all over the "hot side" of engine, so I feel very fortunate to not have had a fire. Apparently, this jam nut tightens against the top of fan motor and crushes a crush washer (unseen, inside motor housing) to make the seal of the hydraulic line feeding the motor. It is very difficult to access to tighten, and it is big, about a 3" nut. I had Cat techs do it, and I don't know how they worked in that little, confined space. They were outstanding. They did it without removing BR floor, which I'm sure would be easier, but those guys don't like to enter the coach.

So look at the big 3" nut that flanges up to top of your fan motor. If it is loose, you will see some seepage of oil there. As an extra precaution, I also have gone thru all of my hydraulic lines and everywhere they may rub/chafe against another hose or metal frame, I install little bumpers (piece of hose) with cable ties. You really don't want hydraulic leaks with a hot engine.

Greg

06 Magna

2006 Magna Rembrandt C13
2016 Jeep GC toad

Re: Hydraulic leak in engine bay

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 115215
Greg and I talked about this today. I want to publish thank him on two fronts:

1) For sharing what happened to him, and the root cause. (I'll add regular visual inspection to look for early warning leaks, to my regimen.)

2) Both Greg and I (Shh! I'm another Greg too - but with Smitty on the end:)!), do regular inspections and preventative maintenance of our lines. Hydraulic, electrical, water, air. Over the years, coach vibration can result in lines shifting some. Or, a repair shop may 'move/shove' a line out of it's way, to get access to what they're working on.

Things change. So what was not a problem a few years back, could develop into a problem today. So, please. Either do it yourself, or authorize another 30-60 minutes for a tech to visually inspect for chafing related problems.

Best case, you coast to the side of the road from a related chafing caused problem. Worse case? Well, as Greg L. mentioned, his fluid was on the hot side of the engine. Many coaches have had fires from such thing. (A member here, lost their coach on James Dean Highway several years ago.)

Tire inspection, air dryer maintenance, brake inspection, scotch inspection, windshield wiper inspection, etc. These all have varying levels of importance (Scotch inspection? Well, next time you finish a drive thru L.A. rush hour traffic - you'll understand!).

All kidding aside. Safety is just part of good coach maintenance. Inspection of the pipes/electrical/hydraulics/etc. of your chassis and engine areas - are part of staying as safe as possible as we RV:)!

Best to all,
Smitty
04 Allure 31017
04 Allure Sold to a nice new owner! Now enjoying a 07 Magna Rembrandt 45' ISX600 #6775
"We're ONDROAD for THEJRNY!" (Toad and Coach license plates, say Hi if you see us!)

Re: Hydraulic leak in engine bay

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 115220
Greg,

You are fortunate in many ways! We were losing ATF over a period of time. My husband was having a time tracking it down till we day drove the coach to a local agility trial, on a summer day. Got home and the system basically dumped its load in the driveway. The hydraulic fan motor went. Do you know how hard it was to find a replacement hydraulic fan motor for a 1993 Magna? My amazing husband, through a local hydraulic motor company in Richmond, VA, got one ordered and built from a manuf in the north-west. He and a family friend installed the motor and up and running we were, again. Next trip was a 15 hr drive to St Louis. She ran like a top.

We didn't realize how lucky we were for not having a fire too.

Marie and Eddie
1993 Magna

 

Re: Hydraulic leak in engine bay

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 115223
Marie,

Can you give me the name of the company in Richmond for future reference. I live in Richmond and my Eaton hydraulic fan motor seems to have a small leak (it kind of sweats fluid). According to CC, my particular Eaton motor is no longer available and a shop I contacted in Ashland, VA said they were not sure they could get a rebuild kit for it. So, when I ever need to repair/replace it, I will need someone resourceful.

Thanks,

Gary
2007 Allure 470 Siskiyou Summit #31578