Bobcat E42 Run with Overfilled Hydraulic Fluid

[PearOrchard]

I've been looking at a used E42 trachoe. I'm on the fence about whether to buy it or not. Everything is tight, it has low hours, all actuators are clean, and it starts up easy. However, it squeals sometimes (with no load). Well today I went and looked at it again and checked all the maintenance points--more specifically the hydraulic sight glass. The fluid level when cold was above the hot in the red (the excavator boom and blade were in the proper position). It may have been run for awhile like this. The fluid level is almost above the red zone. What kind of damage can running an excavator with too much hydraulic fluid cause?

 

[walio123]

The high level of hydraulic oil is not so scary. There is a vent with a one-way valve on the reservoir, heating oil expands and if there is no place simply draining out through the valve. The question is why is it more / someone has done it and has poured more / no leaks anywhere? More must bother is the scuealing, Are there any error codes?

 

[PearOrchard]

The high level of hydraulic oil is not so scary. There is a vent with a one-way valve on the reservoir, heating oil expands and if there is no place simply draining out through the valve. The question is why is it more / someone has done it and has poured more / no leaks anywhere? More must bother is the scuealing, Are there any error codes?

No leaks that I could tell. It's a 2013 and no error messages were popping up. Way too much hydraulic overfill wouldn't cause a noticeable difference in the E42's operation? No noise or struggle moving? It was way overfull when cold (almost the whole site glass).

 

[walio123]

No leaks that I could tell. It's a 2013 and no error messages were popping up. Way too much hydraulic overfill wouldn't cause a noticeable difference in the E42's operation? No noise or struggle moving? It was way overfull when cold (almost the whole site glass).

Too many oil can not cause noise. May cause leakage through the reservoir outlet. If there is a lot of noise in the pumps, ask a permission to warm up the machine and test it. There should not be noise in general. Movements must be fast and powerful. Any noise in the hydraulic system can be expensive to repair / poor pump or valve/.

 

[Wayne440]

No leaks that I could tell. It's a 2013 and no error messages were popping up. Way too much hydraulic overfill wouldn't cause a noticeable difference in the E42's operation? No noise or struggle moving? It was way overfull when cold (almost the whole site glass).

I have zero experience with an E42 - that said, my experience with a variety of other equipment has been that overfilling the hydraulic tank will result in nothing other than an overflow of oil from the tank, assuming that it has an operable vent.

 

[PearOrchard]

I have zero experience with an E42 - that said, my experience with a variety of other equipment has been that overfilling the hydraulic tank will result in nothing other than an overflow of oil from the tank, assuming that it has an operable vent.

Are you referring to a filler cap vent or one elsewhere? I was told that Bobcat's don't have a vent on the cap on another forum.

 

[walio123]

Are you referring to a filler cap vent or one elsewhere? I was told that Bobcat's don't have a vent on the cap on another forum.

On new models starting with the letter "E" the vent is not built into the cap. It is a separate hose slim that hangs down along the hydraulic reservoir.

 

[PearOrchard]

On new models starting with the letter "E" the vent is not built into the cap. It is a separate hose slim that hangs down along the hydraulic reservoir.

Ok thanks for that info. Here's a video I took of it while overfull and squealing. It almost acts like it wants to slightly die sometimes. The engine starts fine and idles fine. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1nVIInauEQ

 

[walio123]

Ok thanks for that info. Here's a video I took of it while overfull and squealing. It almost acts like it wants to slightly die sometimes. The engine starts fine and idles fine. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1nVIInauEQ

The fact that the engine is loaded at low speeds when it curl the dipper to the end is normal. The reilef valve is working when cylynder is extracted or retracted to the end. When the bucket moves, there is a strange sound.Can you locate from where is it? Is the excavator warm? Litle slow movements there.