How to fully change water contaminated hydro oil

[byrone]

HI guys, I am new to the forum and new to owning a Bobcat- have used them off and on for many years but only casually. I bought a 773 G with 440 hours on it and am going through the machine to see what I bought... it runs well and strong with no smoke or leaks or creep. How likely is that 440 hours on the hourmeter to be real? How hard is it to fake the hours on a 773G turbo (with deluxe instrumentation.keyless start) My current issue is the hydro oil - looked like coffee cream when I drained it. I only got 5 gal out and the fluid looked ok through the sight glass for awhile but is now milky again. How do I get ALL (impossible) or nearly all of the fluid out other than just keep diluting it out at $75 a pail? Thanks, Byron

 

[Tazza]

If a new computer was installed, it would start at 0 hours, so there is a possibility. Hours aren't a big deal if it was looked after. you said it starts and runs well, keep it greased and serviced, it will be fine.
The way i drain oil is to pump it out the aux couplers while running ad idle. As soon as it starts spitting, shut it down. Fill with oil, drive it around, lift and tilt, then drain. Do this till the oil is a nice colour again.
The thing is, i run engine oil in my hydraulics, so it's fairly cheap. If it's badly contaminated, run cheap oil through it till it's clean, then dump and add the stuff you want in there that is more expensive.

 

[byrone]

If a new computer was installed, it would start at 0 hours, so there is a possibility. Hours aren't a big deal if it was looked after. you said it starts and runs well, keep it greased and serviced, it will be fine.
The way i drain oil is to pump it out the aux couplers while running ad idle. As soon as it starts spitting, shut it down. Fill with oil, drive it around, lift and tilt, then drain. Do this till the oil is a nice colour again.
The thing is, i run engine oil in my hydraulics, so it's fairly cheap. If it's badly contaminated, run cheap oil through it till it's clean, then dump and add the stuff you want in there that is more expensive.

Thanks. I had considered running oil in the hydraulics and the dealer actually recommended 15W40 (as did the manual in addition to 10W30) but the cheapest pail of oil I can get is $40 and Bobcat only wants $70 per pail , so it's not a huge cost difference. But, I know we'd all like to keep our machines inside but sometimes we can't. After a big rainstorm, I noticed the level seemed a little higher and maybe a little milkier? Is it possible I am getting rain in the hydraulics? No obvious leaking points, hoses are tight, but getting into the reservoir somehow? No, it's not missing the fill cap or anything like that. Thx Byron

 

[Tazza]

Thanks. I had considered running oil in the hydraulics and the dealer actually recommended 15W40 (as did the manual in addition to 10W30) but the cheapest pail of oil I can get is $40 and Bobcat only wants $70 per pail , so it's not a huge cost difference. But, I know we'd all like to keep our machines inside but sometimes we can't. After a big rainstorm, I noticed the level seemed a little higher and maybe a little milkier? Is it possible I am getting rain in the hydraulics? No obvious leaking points, hoses are tight, but getting into the reservoir somehow? No, it's not missing the fill cap or anything like that. Thx Byron

Even though it's not missing the cap, water can get in between the cap and tank. Especially if there is no gasket on the bottom of the breather.
Even humidity can allow moisture in that condenses and contaminates the oil. For you to notice the oil level increase, there has to be a really bad seal somewhere allowing it in.....