Did a dumb thing, so advice appreciated.

[johnandcaren]

I have been trying to figure out why our streetside front slide is sticking / hesitating when moving in or out. It is a PowerGear brand hydraulic unit. Anyway, I noticed the fluid in the reservoir was about one third full with all six cylinders (4 jacks and 2 for slide) extended. ie jacks down and slide out. So I grabbed the bottle and added some fluid - then realizing I grabbed the DOT3 brake fluid and not the ATF fluid. I do intend to drain and refill the tank, but it is stored away from home and so I have to plan a trip to do this.

So, question if anyone knows:

1. Is the DOT3 fluid actually harmful to the seals? If yes, quickly or slowly? OR - is it just bad practice but not a disaster?

2. Because after putting in the fluid I retracted the 6 cylinders, there is probably a small mix of the brake fluid / hyd fluid in the lines and perhaps the rod end of the cylinders. ?? Will simply draining and refilling the tank be sufficient, or is this stuff harmful enough to warrant 2 or 3 drain and refills with cycling in between?


Thanks for info and enjoy the summer.

[OneRVer]

You may have a problem. I would give it a good flushing, the whole system. You always check your fluid with the jacks and slides in the "Travel" position. Never with the jacks down.

Good luck and let us know how it goes. Good luck.

[HeapBigEngin]

Just a thought....brake systems that use Dot 3 fluid have numerous neoprene seals....just like automatic transmissions and power steering systems. I would think that your jack system would be similiar. You might check with the manufactuer of your system for tech assist. If it were me, I would completely drain/refill system, operate normally and drain/replenish again. Also, it would be normal for the fluid to be down inside the reservoir with jacks extended since the fluid is used for that purpose. Like onerver said, never check fluid or open the reservoir with jacks down. Please let us know how you make out....

[johnandcaren]

Thanks guys.
When to check is understood - tks.
Downloaded full manual which helps.

Still don't know just "how" damaging DOT 3 could be but will do the flush just to be safe.

[johnandcaren]

As some of you said to let you know the outcome, I will.

Slide: short story there is a mechanical issue. The rod end locknut for one of two cylinders had come off detaching the cylinder from the slide. Using the ops manual I managed to reattach it correctly, and to also adjust the rod travel for tight seals both in and out.

Fluid:
Well there was no drain but I siphoned it off. It took about 20 minutes to siphon only 4 quarts the fluid was so thick. The cause for this was unknown but it was cloudy, very thick and my instincts said not what one would want. I do not know if it was thick originally, if water mixed in or if the DOT3 contributed.
So, I replaced it with 6 quarts of HWH hyd fluid from Camping World which was considerably thinner in viscosity. This was the correct qty to bring the tank up to a half inch from the top, as the manual instructs. So it was 2 qts, or one third low on fluid.

After fixing the cylinder, replacing the fluid and siliconing everything, the slide is great.

I did not try to flush out the lines, but will probably just change the fluid again next spring.

Tks guys and good luck to all.

[JohnRR]

Thank you for the update.

[Ernie Ekberg]

we have HWH jacks, and use ATF in the tank. Can buy it anywhere- and probably cheaper then the president of CW sells it