D6N XL Dozer Mossy Green Transmission oil

Received a E1267-1 Code "Hyd Filter Restriction" Further investigation while pulling a sample to send off to Cat lab, a mossy green hydraulic oil. Viscosity feels normal, no evidence of water intrusion. Send sample off to lab today. Anyone experience this exact problem?

Don't be surprised is the SOS Lab tells you they can't analyze that sample. If they can ask them to check for coolant. I assume that the radiator has green coolant in it.? Does the hydraulic tank cap have a lock on it.? Is oil the level correct.? You have to consider the possibility of nefarious behaviour. Did you cut the old hydraulic filter apart to check for particles in the media.? I know this VIDEO is of an engine oil filter but the procedure is the same. If the oil wasn't changed then you ought to consider it, and probably more than once because simply emptying the hydraulic tank won't get all the oil out of the system. Post a machine Serial Number so that we can have a look at how the cooling system interacts with the hydraulics.

Nige said: Don't be surprised is the SOS Lab tells you they can't analyze that sample. If they can ask them to check for coolant. I assume that the radiator has green coolant in it.? Does the hydraulic tank cap have a lock on it.? Is oil the level correct.? You have to consider the possibility of nefarious behaviour. Did you cut the old hydraulic filter apart to check for particles in the media.? I know this VIDEO is of an engine oil filter but the procedure is the same. If the oil wasn't changed then you ought to consider it, and probably more than once because simply emptying the hydraulic tank won't get all the oil out of the system. Post a machine Serial Number so that we can have a look at how the cooling system interacts with the hydraulics. Click to expand... Thanks Nige. The serial # PER00914, Coolant is a pink tint, Oil level is correct, Tank cap doesn't have a lock - on a private ranch no possibility of nefarious behavior), did not cut open filters after changing when code popped up, we bought it new in 2015, only has 414 hours,

Has you ever seen the oil that colour before.? When was it last changed.? Sorry I focused on the "Hyd Filter Restriction". The transmission oil will definitely have an oil-to-water cooler in the system but that doesn't explain green oil when the cooling system has pink coolant in it.

Nige said: Has you ever seen the oil that colour before.? When was it last changed.? Sorry I focused on the "Hyd Filter Restriction". The transmission oil will definitely have an oil-to-water cooler in the system but that doesn't explain green oil when the cooling system has pink coolant in it. Click to expand... Never seen that colour before. With only 414 hours, never been changed beyond dealar changing after break-in

Thinking a microbial growth, but not sure if lab will pick that up.

I bought some tractor fluid once that had a green tinge. Maybe the oil was greenish to begin with?

Welder Dave said: I bought some tractor fluid once that had a green tinge. Maybe the oil was greenish to begin with? Click to expand... Started out as a bright amber...

Thanks. I'm not sure what would cause it turn green??

Welder Dave said: Thanks. I'm not sure what would cause it turn green?? Click to expand... I conducted an internet search and found one other operator with same problem. Sent to lab with no conclusive findings. The abnormal mossy color with throwing a E1267-1 Code "Hyd Filter Restriction" is highly suspect.

smphillipstx said: Received a E1267-1 Code "Hyd Filter Restriction" Further investigation while pulling a sample to send off to Cat lab, a mossy green hydraulic oil. Viscosity feels normal, no evidence of water intrusion. Send sample off to lab today. Anyone experience this exact problem? Click to expand... Is it a mineral oil . We have areas where machinery have to use a bio friendly oil in their hydraulics in case of a leak .

smphillipstx said: With only 414 hours, never been changed beyond dealer changing after break-in Click to expand... I think therein lies your problem, and I agree that it is likely microbial growth. The oil in that transmission is now 11 years old. If you check the Operation & Maintenance Manual it states " Use mileage, fuel consumption, service hours, or calendar time, WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST, in order to determine the maintenance intervals." The transmission oil change frequency is listed as every 1000 hours or 6 months. So by that metric up to now you have missed around 20 oil changes in the life of the machine. Now don't get me wrong, for a machine operating only a few hours per week I would comfortably stretch that 6 month interval out to maybe anything up to a couple of years with regular oil sampling/analysis, but 11 years is pushing things a bit beyond the boundary of prudent preventive maintenance IMHO. What I suggest at this point is to drain the oil, clean the suction screen at the back of the transmission and also the magnetic screen (the procedures are in the O&M Manual) then change the filter and refill with some cheap SAE10W or ISO AW32 hydraulic oil. Run the machine and get it well hot but don't drive it around too much if you can avoid it. Run through all the gears in an attempt to flush out all the contaminated oil from the clutches, etc. Drain the oil, change the filter, and clean the screens again then refill with SAE30 TO-4 oil as per the O&M. Cross your fingers that has removed the contamination. If it hasn't then you are into biocide territory. I've had a bit of experience in that but in fuel, not lubricating oils, so I am not sure the same criteria apply. Calling @Coaldust

• you're up.

Nige said: I think therein lies your problem, and I agree that it is likely microbial growth. The oil in that transmission is now 11 years old. If you check the Operation & Maintenance Manual it states " Use mileage, fuel consumption, service hours, or calendar time, WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST, in order to determine the maintenance intervals." The transmission oil change frequency is listed as every 1000 hours or 6 months. So by that metric up to now you have missed around 20 oil changes in the life of the machine. Now don't get me wrong, for a machine operating only a few hours per week I would comfortably stretch that 6 month interval out to maybe anything up to a couple of years with regular oil sampling/analysis, but 11 years is pushing things a bit beyond the boundary of prudent preventive maintenance IMHO. What I suggest at this point is to drain the oil, clean the suction screen at the back of the transmission and also the magnetic screen (the procedures are in the O&M Manual) then change the filter and refill with some cheap SAE10W or ISO AW32 hydraulic oil. Run the machine and get it well hot but don't drive it around too much if you can avoid it. Run through all the gears in an attempt to flush out all the contaminated oil from the clutches, etc. Drain the oil, change the filter, and clean the screens again then refill with SAE30 TO-4 oil as per the O&M. Cross your fingers that has removed the contamination. If it hasn't then you are into biocide territory. I've had a bit of experience in that but in fuel, not lubricating oils, so I am not sure the same criteria apply. Calling @Coaldust

• you're up. Click to expand... Thanks Nige! - now to find a O&M Manual to find out how to pull magnetic and suction screens.

epirbalex said: Is it a mineral oil . We have areas where machinery have to use a bio friendly oil in their hydraulics in case of a leak . Click to expand... The oil is Cat TDTO 30, not mineral. ​

smphillipstx said: The oil is Cat TDTO 30, not mineral. Click to expand... TDTO is a mineral (as opposed to synthetic-based) oil. smphillipstx said: Thanks Nige! - now to find a O&M Manual to find out how to pull magnetic and suction screens. Click to expand... You've had the machine from new and you're saying it's not still in the pocket behind the seat.? Search for Cat Publication reference SEBU8594. Here's a genuine OEM one for sale on eBay . See the attached. It appears that your machine does not have a transmission suction screen, usually located behind a 4-bolt cover on the back side of the transmission. If you want to confirm post a photo showing the lower half of the transmission case taken from the back of the tractor. There is a screen in the torque converter scavenge side, #4 on the illustration below. Remove plug #15 to access it.

Very interesting thread. New on me. Will look forward to the outcome

Just picked up on the fact you’ve had it since new for 11 years either only414 hours. This is a rare occurrence. I’d be completely flushing every fluid in there possible,pulling the coolers out,and flushing the radiator core. You’ve probably got one chance at sorting any futher,expensive issues out right here and now. Spend a few grand on it and she’ll be good for another 11 years. I’d be changing oils every couple of years though depending on your weather climate

nicky 68a said: Very interesting thread. New on me. Will look forward to the outcome Click to expand... Waiting on lab reports. Regardless, I plan on draining transmission, replace filter - clean screen and magnet, add 42.2 gallons fresh oil, do a shock with Biobore JP (per Hammands Engineer), minimal run, set 48 to 72 hours, drain oil, replace filter, clean screen @ torque converter scavenge side, final oil with Cat SAE 30 (TDTO30). Will update as soon as resolved so the results may help others who experience this rare DT oil issue. ​

smphillipstx said: add 42.2 gallons fresh oil, Click to expand... Provided you are not going to drive the machine around you could probably get by using a lot less oil for the flush. So long as the oil is just showing on the dipstick when the engine is idling that should be fine. I don’t want to be a prophet of doom but you may find yourself flushing the transmission oil more than once before you finally get rid of the contamination. You might also consider removing the transmission oil cooler after the first oil flush and having it thoroughly cleaned.

Nige said: Provided you are not going to drive the machine around you could probably get by using a lot less oil for the flush. So long as the oil is just showing on the dipstick when the engine is idling that should be fine. I don’t want to be a prophet of doom but you may find yourself flushing the transmission oil more than once before you finally get rid of the contamination. You might also consider removing the transmission oil cooler after the first oil flush and having it thoroughly cleaned. Click to expand... Great suggestion. Thanks Nige! I'll do some research on how to remove oil cooler for cleaning.