New oil leak after using tractor in extreme cold

BrianV_ · Dec 29, 2017

So, I came home the other night after visiting family over the holidays, and had to clear out my laneway in -26 C weather (-15 Fahrenheit) with my diesel MF230. I plugged in the tractor for 30-40 minutes. It fired up fairly easily, and ran well, did the job etc.

However, in the morning, there's oil on the floor under the weep hole with the cotter pin midway between the block and the transmission. It's fairly light colored, so I *think* it's transhydraulic fluid that got dirty on it's way out which may point to the input shaft seal, I guess. The amount is more like a 'damp spot' than a 'puddle' - maybe 1/2 cup or so.

I did notice my hydraulics were slow in the cold, but I assume that's due to the hydraulic fluid been thick - it did get better with use.

I guess I'll need to keep an eye on fluid levels, but that was a disappointing to see!

jeffcat · Dec 29, 2017

Maybe a tiny bit of.moisture too?

marloweg · Dec 29, 2017

not uncommon for things to leak in cold weather seals get hard when cold and your tractor is not new so seals get hard with age not anything to worry about

Determined · Dec 29, 2017

(quoted from post at 11:02:06 12/29/17) So, I came home the other night after visiting family over the holidays, and had to clear out my laneway in -26 C weather (-15 Fahrenheit) with my diesel MF230. I plugged in the tractor for 30-40 minutes. It fired up fairly easily, and ran well, did the job etc.

However, in the morning, there's oil on the floor under the weep hole with the cotter pin midway between the block and the transmission. It's fairly light colored, so I *think* it's transhydraulic fluid that got dirty on it's way out which may point to the input shaft seal, I guess. The amount is more like a 'damp spot' than a 'puddle' - maybe 1/2 cup or so.

I did notice my hydraulics were slow in the cold, but I assume that's due to the hydraulic fluid been thick - it did get better with use.

I guess I'll need to keep an eye on fluid levels, but that was a disappointing to see!

Woke up to -37 this morning, not fun but hang in there it will improve some day.

Not sure if I own anything that does not leak intermittently when the cold rolls in.

970+1070 both leave a puddle by my feet from the steering valve.
JD hydraulic valve leaves its mark on the ground.
One truck will spit out power steering fluid.
Another will blow ATF out a cooler line fitting.
So cold one day I had engine oil spraying out past the filter seal.
One of the 5 piece rims on the wheel loader consistently releases all the air as soon as it hits -35.

The list goes on and on but the nice thing is as soon as it warms up 99% of the gremlins disappear for another year.

Thermometer just jumped up to -34, see it is getting better already.

Ozlander · Dec 29, 2017

A 1/2 cup of oil would be at least a foot in diameter.

BrianV_ · Dec 29, 2017

(quoted from post at 09:35:27 12/29/17)
Woke up to -37 this morning, not fun but hang in there it will improve some day.

Not sure if I own anything that does not leak intermittently when the cold rolls in.

970+1070 both leave a puddle by my feet from the steering valve.
JD hydraulic valve leaves its mark on the ground.
One truck will spit out power steering fluid.
Another will blow ATF out a cooler line fitting.
So cold one day I had engine oil spraying out past the filter seal.
One of the 5 piece rims on the wheel loader consistently releases all the air as soon as it hits -35.

The list goes on and on but the nice thing is as soon as it warms up 99% of the gremlins disappear for another year.

Thermometer just jumped up to -34, see it is getting better already.

That makes me feel better on all fronts - not only are cold-induced leaks not uncommon, but also a reminder that whenever I consider this cold, there's folks out in the prairies who wish they had these temps!

BrianV_ · Dec 29, 2017

(quoted from post at 09:36:19 12/29/17)
A 1/2 cup of oil would be at least a foot in diameter.

True. Maybe a 1/8th of a cup then!

jeffcat · Dec 29, 2017

Yes, that is what the Rocket Scientist found out with the Shuttle Challenger. The engineering staff from the booster company said it was too cold and they were over ridden.

IowaJohn · Dec 29, 2017

I've got a jd 4430 with a loader that
I use to move snow. The front
hydraulic pump was rebuilt by a good
Deere mechanic recently and it'll get
wet around the shaft seal in cold
weather. Dries up when it warms up. I
wouldn't worry too much about yours do
as you say keep an eye on it.

jim buford · Dec 31, 2017

I have a friend who worked in the nuclear field and when he came home from work his wife said challenger had blown up. He asked his wife immediately what happended "did the o rings fail?"

rusty6 · Dec 31, 2017

One of the front end loader bucket cylinders started pushing oil out around the shaft a few days ago as I was trying to drop a bale in the cattle feeder. These cylinders are old and leaky at the best of times but in the cold it just could not handle the pressure. I adjusted the valve so it is only single acting now and no pressure to the rod side of the cylinder. Slow acting but the weight of the bale will tip the fork down. That super cold is hard on equipment.

New oil leak after using tractor in extreme cold

BrianV_

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jeffcat

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marloweg

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Determined

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Ozlander

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BrianV_

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BrianV_

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jeffcat

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IowaJohn

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jim buford

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rusty6

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