Chipper hydraulic fluid

[Tucker943]

My bandit 200xp has milky white hydraulic fluid. Water in the system. No leaks anywhere. How would I be drawing moisture into my fluid? Bad cap on the tank? Has anyone run into this?

 

[RopeArmour]

Maybe it is just in the gauge like mine fingers crossed

 

[MasterBlaster]

It doesn't sound good.

 

[Tucker943]

Maybe it is just in the gauge like mine fingers crossed

There's no gauge. Just a dipstick on the cap. I don't believe its a huge deal. There aren't many ways moisture can enter the system.

 

[Tucker943]

Did a google search and I guess it happens to some folks.....

http://www.arboristsite.com/community/threads/bandit-chipper-hydraulic-tank-caps-leaking.101628/

 

[lumberjack]

How old is the oil? Condensation over time can do it. I suppose your cap is the breather? Still in good shape?

 

[FireFighterZero]

Lumberjack is right, heat and cooling cycles can cause the water to condense out of the air and contaminate the oil.

Water in the oil is bad, period. It can react with other contaminates and cause acids to form, thin out the oil and cause mechanical wear, freeze in filters in cold temps causing the bypass to open allowing unfiltered oil to circulate, and cause corrosion.

Look for any low spots that may pool water and snow. Sometimes snow can pile up allowing water to reach an entry it would not normally be able to reach.