HWH Jack Question

[Chickadee]

Question for Newmar Guys Who Know: Thought I'd try you guys before calling HWH.

So, I'm outside filling my fresh water tank on our 08, 4502 Essex and notice that the black metal jack pad (at the bottom end of the silver piston) looked wet. We've been sitting, w. jacks down, for about 8 weeks but just noticed the following:

While waiting for tank to fill I got down and inspected this area closer and saw that the square pad and the block I place under this pad were indeed wet with an oily liquid which I assumed (but don't know for sure) was hydraulic like fluid, which I again assumed was seeping down from somewhere above or atop the HWH housing into which the shiney, silver jack piston retracts. Also noticed a kinda fanned out damp looking trail along the side of this housing seemingly coming from above. Checked opposite side pad, and it ALSO had same symptom, but, both front jacks were absolutely dry.

Now, we've been experiencing some pretty chilly temps down to high 30's, mid 40's at night, and I was wondering whether these temps might contract some seals causing the hydraulic fluid to seep out of some reservoir atop these rear jacks.....or is this dumb?? If so, don't know why front jacks don't exhibit same seepage.

Now, keeping in mind I don't know nuttin , can any of you Newmar mechanic guys briefly explain to me just how the HWH jack system works, and whether it's likely I've got a.....(shudder!!).....problem ?? I assume these jacks are deployed by means of hydraulic pressure and retract by means of the springs. Haven't yet tried cycling these jacks or anything, and, I don't know whether there is/are some reservoir(s) that I can check, and what is the likely kind of fluid I'm seeing? Where do I go from here???

Thankyou for any guidance ya might be able to provide.

Steve

[BZam]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chickadee Question for Newmar Guys Who Know: Thought I'd try you guys before calling HWH. So, I'm outside filling my fresh water tank on our 08, 4502 Essex and notice that the black metal jack pad (at the bottom end of the silver piston) looked wet. We've been sitting, w. jacks down, for about 8 weeks but just noticed the following:

You should learn how to check your HWH fluid reservoir level and do so from time to time. Mine is located up front near the Onan generator.

I had a similar problem with left front a few years ago and figured it needed to have seals replace. Turned out it was just a one time event and has never leaked since so might just watch this one and see what happens.

Also when I first got the rig new I had a leak and assumed it was a big deal to have it replaced, but the guy crawled under and tightened a fitting. So might check you fittings and see they are tight.

[Ronnie Bledsoe 2006 Dutchstar 43']

Steve, I can't help, but be sure to relieve any pressure on the system before checking fluid levels>

[allynne]

Steve,

You apparently have a Hyd fluid leak. The leak can be from bad seals or a loose fitting at the cylinder. Both can be easily remedied. With an 'o8 you should still be under Newmar Warrenty, if so resolve it that way.

You need to know where the Jack resevoir is and it should be checked for proper level regularly with the jacks up. There is no pressure in the resevior.

Al Sawyer
'05 MADP

[GaryKD]

Hi Steve,
Are you where you are going to be for the winter or on your way to a warmer place? There are different ways to handle this?

1. If you are going to a warmer place, I'd:
1a. retract the jacks
1b. check the reservoir (usually located by the pump or HWH circuit board)
1c. drive to the warm location (60 degrees F or above).
1d. redeploy the jacks
1e. check every couple of days to see if the problem remains

2. If the coach will remain in a cold climate:
2a. retract the jacks
2b. check the reservoir
2c. redeploy the rear jacks only if you really need them
2d. there is not much more one can do until one gets to warm weather

You know, from my prior posts, weather different than a coach is used to causes new adventures. I am an advocate of doing nothing beyond what is necessary to get the coach back to the weather it is used to and normally operates in.

If #1 is the plan, and the problem goes away once warm weather is available, it will be up to you as to when/if the rear jacks are repaired. If it was me and I had no plans to be in cold weather (maybe one or two nights a year), I'd leave everything the way it is now. Carry a couple of quarts of HWH fluid and check every once an a while.

[cowboy2]

i had trouble with HWH jacks not retracking on my 04 DS in 06 phone up HWH and they replaced them no questions asked,they stand behind thier product, i had to take the MH to dealer to have them replaced

["007"]

Steve, at the top of your jacks you have a sensing valve that puts the led on your control panel out when fully retracted. The valves can loosen up and cause the fluid to leak out and collect in pad plate.
The wires that plug into sensing unit will unplug than you can take a wrench and tighten valve. Reconnect wire plug, retract jacks, than refill your reservoir to between the lines on the bell vent shaft.
You just have to make them sung to stop leak they will not be that loose to cause the leak.
There also is a vent nut on lower shaft housing but sounds to be to be at top of the housing thats leaking.
BE CAREFUL under there, may need to fill air bags for some clearance to ground and use of jack stands, not sure how much clearance you have with a DP.
You can just keep refilling reservoir until you get to a shop.

[Chickadee]

You guys are GREAT!!! Thanks for the input.

Gary:

Well, were sittin here in Ruskin, FL, and the weather is SUPPOSED to be warm, but hasn't been lately. Has gotten up to the 60's and 70's during the day, but low 40's at night. Thinking about swinging down to North Trail (Ft. Meyers) at the end of Jan. for service. Is there room at Cypress Woods?? Also, your plan labled 1 a-e makes sense and I've already thought I should try to cycle these jacks (ie. air up, retract jacks, as if departing, but then simply redeploy) to see if this makes a difference...but....still gotta find that fluid reservoir which I never learned.

allynne:

Just out of warranty last August....dang!!

007:

Thanks for your great detail. Sittin on a grass site right now so don't think I'll tackle jack stand procedure. Still have to go locate my HWH reservoir, check fluid level, and then find source for that HWH fluid mentioned.

Ronnie:

Thanks for the caution re: relieving pressure first. Will do.

ALL: Say, just wondering. When I backed into this grass site, I dumped the tag (which I've seldom done) so as not to scrub up the grass and got to wondering how long it takes that tag to recover cause since I'm such a GREAT driver (yuk!! ) I got positioned without needing to adjust so shut the rig down pretty quickly, hit auto level, (air bags dumped, rig settled, jacks deployed), BUT...could it be that tags hadn't recovered and thus they're not taking up much of the current weight so that the rear jacks are suporting more than otherwise normal and THIS is causing seepage??? (Sorry if this dumb.) How fast does the tag recover after dump toggle is released??

THANKS AGAIN ALL!! Steve

[GaryKD]

Hi Steve,
Interesting thought about the tag axle. Gut feel says it has nothing to do with your concern. There are specs on when the tag gets air and when it does not. Others may know how your coach works.

The HWH reservoir should be under the pumps which should be next to the HWH circuit board. The pumps are 4 cylinder like devices. The reservoir is a pretty big (mine is 16X8X6") black box. On top of the box is a 6 sided nut (1 1/4" dia). This is the entry point for the reservoir.

Before "messing" around with the jacks get the HWH fluid, retract the jacks and check the fluid level. If it is low, you want fluid on hand to refill immediately. The last thing you want is air in the lines going to the jacks.

If HWH brand is not available locally, Dexron ATF can be used in an emergency.

[DonnaB]

Steve,

Even though your Newmar warranty may be expired, your HWH warranty may still be in effect. You should contact HWH and see what they say about that. A number of "parts" on Newmar coaches have 3 year or other warranty times.

[Chickadee]

Gary:

Yup, thanks. That's what I planned to do...get the HWH fluid FIRST, then try the recyle/fluid check. Wonder if Camping World handles the HWH fluid?

Donna B.

Yup, thanks. I kinda think HWH IS still under warranty and if I have to have it serviced I'll make sure first. Thanks again. Steve & Lynette

[allynne]

Steve,

As I recall a conversation with HWH a year or two ago, the tech told me that HWH fluid was colorless Dexron. They used colorless because they also make Hyd slide mechanisims and if they leak they could stain carpeting on the slide.

I use Dexron, it's more available, cheaper and easier to read on the dip stick.

Before getting more questionable information here I would call HWH. They know their system and will give you accurate and useable information. Some of what has been posted here is at best questionable.

Al Sawyer
'05 MADP

[Chickadee]

allynne:

I'll talk with HWH, but is there a problem mixing HWH clear with Dexron ATF?

007:

What's a :bell vent shaft???" The reservoir dip stick??

Ronnie Bledsoe:

Oh, at first I thought ya meant that the HWY fluid reservoir should NOT be opened w. jacks extended cause of pressure in the reservoir but NOW...I understand there's no pressure in the reservoir even w. jacks extended and NOW..I see that the reason for first retracting the jacks is so fluid in the system is returned to the reservoir so I'll get a more accurate reading of fluid level. Sorry, takes me awhile to figure these things out....dumb...eh??

Steve

[rebelone]

Be careful what you use for fluid. Some fluids are not compatible with seals etc.