Leaking HWH Jack

[Kazoo Tom]

My right rear kick down jack has recently developed a very small leak. I'm having difficulty finding the source. The jack is not loosing pressure and work perfectly holding up the vehicle. I have had it parked several days and no loss of stability and no signs of any retraction of the jack. The leak is very slight, only a few drops, gathering on the foot of the jack. With the jack retracted I have wiped it down and after several weeks have just a few drops on the ground under the foot end of the jack. I am still unable to identify the source of the leakage. Can any of you HWH experts suggest where to look more closely for the leakage. I realize that if it is the cylinder itself I will probably have to replace the jack.

I've also posted this on another site to get as many suggestions as possible.

[Kazoo Tom]

My right rear kick down jack has recently developed a very small leak. I'm having difficulty finding the source. The jack is not loosing pressure and work perfectly holding up the vehicle. I have had it parked several days and no loss of stability and no signs of any retraction of the jack. The leak is very slight, only a few drops, gathering on the foot of the jack. With the jack retracted I have wiped it down and after several weeks have just a few drops on the ground under the foot end of the jack. I am still unable to identify the source of the leakage. Can any of you HWH experts suggest where to look more closely for the leakage. I realize that if it is the cylinder itself I will probably have to replace the jack.

I've also posted this on another site to get as many suggestions as possible.

[RV Wizard]

Tom, suggest you clean the entire area and let dry. Inspect for leak every few hours looking at the hose, fitting, jack and surrounding area for any moisture. You may be able to have a hydralic repair shop make repairs but get an estimate first. Let us know what you find.

[SargeW]

For a very small drip or leak, I would check the threaded fittings for moisture. With the lack of loss of pressure, it is going to be something very slight. And odds are that you will have better luck finding the drip if you put pressure on the system.

Sarge

[Kazoo Tom]

I plan on setting the jacks tonight and crawling underneath and cleaning the jacks as thoroughly as I can. Of course this leak didn't start until after I had it parked on the brand new concrete pad we had poured.

[Kazoo Tom]

Now I am really confused. I have had it up on the jacks for the past several days, and no signs of any new leakage. It is the only jack that has signs of past leakage (oily, grimy and dirty). It is clear that there have been some minor leakage in the past, but nothing visible now.

["007"]

If you haven't use the jacks for a spell the seals may allow fluid pass them, with use the seal becomes plyable and reseals around piston.
You can apply silicon spray on piston shaft to aid the speed they retrack and seals. After applying wipe off, it will leave a slick coating on piston.

[SargeW]

Hey Tom, I just had a obscure thought. Could it be some other substance like engine oil or tranny fluid causing the greasy build up on the jack? Sometimes blow back from another part of the vehicle can cause a build up on an unrelated part. Just a thought.......

Sarge

[Kazoo Tom]

Thank you both for your replies.

I'm sure it is not blowback from another area. The fluid found on the ground (about a teaspoon) after 5 days usage, was the red fluid used in the jacks.

It has been on the jacks since last week and I don't see any new fluid. Maybe it was just the seals reseating themselves after winter storage. I will reclean them and coat the pistons with silicone spray and hope for the best.

[george henry]

Yes, the seals did reset themselves.

[Kazoo Tom]

We are planning a trip up to northern Michigan in a couple of weeks, I'll keep an eye on it for a while.