Hydraulic Fluid Top Off?

[Chickadee]

Hi from the "mechanically inept:" Have a 500 Cummins ISM and after sitting for a week (ie., "cold") I chk'd hydraulic fluid and nothing registered on reservoir dipstick. Bought some AW 46 fluid and will top off and it looks to me as if the only fill port is the same port as the dipstick...is this correct?? Also another question: How often do others find the need to top off hydraulic fluid? We now have 8,800 miles on rig and I didn't think the hydraulic fluid would be that low already. Thanks for any help. Steve

[Chickadee]

Hi from the "mechanically inept:" Have a 500 Cummins ISM and after sitting for a week (ie., "cold") I chk'd hydraulic fluid and nothing registered on reservoir dipstick. Bought some AW 46 fluid and will top off and it looks to me as if the only fill port is the same port as the dipstick...is this correct?? Also another question: How often do others find the need to top off hydraulic fluid? We now have 8,800 miles on rig and I didn't think the hydraulic fluid would be that low already. Thanks for any help. Steve

[AFChap]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">I chk'd hydraulic fluid </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
1 - It might be pretty difficult to see fluid on the dipstick, so look very carefully
2 - When checking/adding hydraulic fluid it is very important to have the leveling jacks and all slide-outs in the stowed position. If you add fluid to the full level with jacks and slides deployed, you can force the excess fluid out of the reservoir when you retract everything!!
3 - Adding fluid should be rare to never unless you have a leak.

[Route 66]

I've never had to add hydraulic fluid.

Newmars have electric slides, and the leveling jacks have their own hydraulic system, so those items would not have an effect on the engine/chassis hydraulic system.

[Gary RVRoamer]

Are you talking about the hydraulics for the fan, power steering, etc.? If so, the comments about jacks and slides are irrelevant, as they are a seperate system altogether.

[tmitchell]

If you are talking about your hydraulic tank for the steering and radiator, it shouldn't go down at all. You must have a leak.
I have had my 2004 DSDP for 4-1/2 years and 48,000 miles and never had to top off the hydraulic tank. I changed the fluid and filters last year.
When not in use my MH sits next to the house, on a concrete pad, so any fluid leak would show up right away.
Tom

[tmitchell]

FYI, If your dipstick is like mine, it adjusts so it will properly tighten down. After I serviced the hydraulic system, the dip stick wouldn't tighten up. I screwed it down and it would lift right out. It took a little head scratching before I figured out it was adjustable.
Is it possible that your tank never was filled properly, when you took delivery?
Tom

[Chickadee]

Thanks ALL: I DID add to the tank so fluid showed 1/2 way up dip stick. Took about a cup or cup and 1/2. Sure can't find where any leaking may be occuring, but will keep watching. Thanks again. Steve