What fluid for Hydraulic jacks.

[D-n-Tyke]

RE: 1998 Discovery

Every time I take a right turn the warning light on the Hydraulic jacks panel starts buzzing. I have crawled under there and looked all the jacks over and everything looks good down there. However I found a very slight leak (more ike weeping) out of the front jack. So now I am thinking that the fluid level is low and that is causing the warning light to come on. So I want to top it of and see if that takes care of that. But I want to make sure I use the correct fluid. So what is the proper fluid to use.

[RJay]

HWH recommends ATF fluid.

[Triker56]

Power Gear Mercon V

[Larry & Rita]

I had to look in the instruction book that came with mine, it recomends good old ATF transmition fliud.
If you don't have the instructions, best bet is to contact the mfg. of the jacks.

[RJay]

One word or CAUTION, Do not add fluid to the reservoir unless all jacks and slides(if applicable) are retracted. You could have a real mess otherwise.

[Monacoach]

Automatic transmission fluid = ATF

[Monacoach]

My manual states to add ATF 111 mercon..... I have some ATF 111 but it doesn't say mercon.... anyone know how important this " mercon" word is?

[Cat320]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RJay One word or CAUTION, Do not add fluid to the reservoir unless all jacks and slides(if applicable) are retracted. You could have a real mess otherwise.

Good advice...my manual says Dex III.

[macnkat]

Considering the fact that it is being used for hydraulic fluid I can't imagine the type being all that critical. Unless it has something to do with the seals.

[Monacoach]

Quote:

Considering the fact that it is being used for hydraulic fluid I can't imagine the type being all that critical. Unless it has something to do with the seals.

That makes sense to me....... Mercon seems to be a ford thing and it seems that Mercon is better for big temperature swings. Not sure it is critical.....

[Monacoach]

Guy at Rv place said not to use anything other then Dexron 111. I told him I had some Dexron V1 and it mentions right on the label that it exceeds requirements of Dexron 111.
He said that doesn't matter, just use Dexron 111.. He has been wrong before and I think he is wrong now but im not 100 % sure.

[Airtool]

The Key is not to mix the original ATF with the new Synthetic fluids.My unit uses Dextron III OEM. Read the labels if it mentions synthetic keep looking!!
When the buzzer goes off when traveling or cornering the fluid level is low and the float switch drops turning on the buzzer.The float switches fail at times and can be had at suppliers other the OEM if you like.
The jacks cylinders have grease fittings on some series that need to be greased with lithium. Yes there are little fittings at the bottom of the hydraulic cylinders, this keeps the piston surfaces lubed and the bottom seals in good condition.
NO Body said anything to me about them on any of my units. I found it by chance one day. So I got out the manual and sure enough,there it was.
Spec. grease every 30 cycles of the jacks with Lithium Grease.
When I did grease them that very little leak on one of them went away.
I still put a coat of SuperLub on the pistons if they are going to be down for an extended period of time. For me that is 7 to 10 days,no pitting of the piston surfaces that way.

Dick, Bounder Diesel