ted
Weekender RV’er
Posts: 57
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Post by ted on Mar 23, 2019 4:23:52 GMT -5
I'm an old refrigeration guy, so I know when a system is low on refrigerant there is a leak. Letting my slides out yesterday when they go almost all the way out and stopped. Found out it was low on fluid. Researched it and discovered it was a dark murky color and Lippert recommended changing it. Further research seemed to indicate that fluid needed to be added at times. I'm almost positive I don't have a leak, so where did it go?
Thought it rather strange that there was no way to drain the fluid, so had to pump it out with a hand pump.
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Post by Chuck on Mar 23, 2019 14:53:44 GMT -5
Guzzzz Ted When at the rally two years ago the LCI tech stated the only way to get fluid out was to either use a plump as you did or a basting type sucker that use for cooking ... Your trailer isn't that old for you to have to replace bad fluid, our 384 is now 2 years old an we have not had to add any fluid so far ... I can see you maybe having to add a little fluid, maybe a pint or even a quart, but
what you have stated i'd be looking at all your hydraulic lines an leveling hydraulic rams ...
Hydraulic fluid from what I have been told dozen't change color unless it's contaminated or gets over heated,
shoot I have hydraulic fluid in two of my farm tractors that well over 15 years old an is still the same color as when I put it in years ago, sort of a deep red ...
Please let us know what you find out so other may benefit an be on the look-out for a problem down the road ...
Chuck
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Post by Edd505 on Mar 23, 2019 16:51:46 GMT -5
Interesting this just came up. I messaged Chuck my slides were slow and I thought cold weather. Found oil under the carport & dripping from under the coroplast and running back on the frame. I'll be digging into that in the next few days, hoping it's just a loose fitting.
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ted
Weekender RV’er
Posts: 57
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Post by ted on Mar 24, 2019 4:19:11 GMT -5
I will be keeping a close eye on the level of fluid now. Maybe there is a small leak somewhere, I've just seen nothing under the camper. We have really used it since we got it last spring. 10,000 miles and a lot of working of the slides and level system. I read also that air can be trapped in the lines that will eventually purge out causing some drop in the level of fluid. The system is open to the atmosphere as it allows the fluid to push in and out.
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Post by Edd505 on Mar 24, 2019 14:04:29 GMT -5
I was just on the LCI web looking for diagrams and noted that they recommend changing the fluid @ 36 months. ATF Dextron & anti stiction fluid.
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Post by Chuck on Mar 24, 2019 14:50:57 GMT -5
Wow Edd Not sure if I want to do such, that's going to be a real pain in the backside besides the cost of the hydraulic fluid ... To do it properly your going to have to drain all the lines an possibly all the rams to get all the fluid out an then bleed such to get the air out ... Ugh !!!
I wonder if they mean just drain the reservoir of fluid, if so that wouldn't mean to me replacing the fluids ... As I stated I have hydraulic fluid in some of my tractors that are years old an still are ok as far as I am concerned ...
This is something that maybe we need to address at the rally this year, I wonder if they are worried that the oil will loose it's viscosity after three years, I wouldn't think so, in my way of thinking it's not like a car engine were the oil is being used constantly in a hostile enverment, hummmmmm 
Safe travels 
Chuck
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Post by ronc on Mar 24, 2019 15:52:03 GMT -5
I think the issue is that, over time, the hydraulic fluid can become contaminated with moisture (from condensation) and that water in the system will cause corrosion. That's the aircraft answer ... but as has been pointed out, this ain't no airplane. ;-). I will say that if oil can get out, dirt can get in ... so if there's a leak, a change of oil might be a good idea.
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ted
Weekender RV’er
Posts: 57
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Post by ted on Mar 24, 2019 20:42:51 GMT -5
The way I changed the fluid was to pump it out, then partially refill it, work the level up system and slides, then pump it out again, and refill. Took 2 gallons.
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Post by jetzen on Mar 24, 2019 21:18:15 GMT -5
The way I changed the fluid was to pump it out, then partially refill it, work the level up system and slides, then pump it out again, and refill. Took 2 gallons. Ted just so you know to check for the proper fluid level all slides must be in and all landing gear up or else you will get a false reading as to a full fluid reservoir. |
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Post by ragecajun on Feb 19, 2020 12:13:34 GMT -5
I have a 2016 G372BHF, purchased new in 2018. I had a leaking hydraulic valve and a bad ram on the living room slide that was replaced this year. We only use the trailer 2-3 times a year. It took 9-10 months at the dealer to fix. They never ordered parts then owner died and dealer couldn’t buy anything until the dealership was bought out. I wasn’t happy to say the least.
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