Community Forums

RWeigant · 02-14-2019, 02:00 PM

On out 2013 American Tradition. Haven't used the hydraulic jacks for 6 months until the first trip south. First stop and lowered the jacks and all went fine. When we left the jacks only came up 3". After re cycling the jacks I managed getting to not come up at all. Played around and they came up to that 3" mark again. We decided to head to our next site anyway. When we stoped I saw that the jacks were up all the way. The fluid is up to about 2" from the top. Looks like there is some oil dripping along side of the tank and down to the street flap. Nothing else works on hydraulics but the jacks. Called a guy and he said to clean the wet tank and try and see if I can find a leak. Afraid to lower them again.

House Husband · 02-14-2019, 02:08 PM

If the problem were mine, I would lower the jacks and with a clean cloth, wipe the jacks down with some ATF. Then exercise them.

Richard

Tha_Rooster · 02-14-2019, 04:05 PM

Are you allowing enough time to air up before hitting retract?

RWeigant · 02-14-2019, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tha_Rooster

Are you allowing enough time to air up before hitting retract?

Good question. I didn't think air had anything to do with it. I have the option to level either way. I'm going to clean up the tank and try again to level with hydraulics.

Arch Hoagland · 02-14-2019, 10:13 PM

Have you ever lubricated your jacks? I do mine about once a year.

Automatic transmission fluid is recommended and I've used that a couple times. Other times I sprayed them with WD40.

RWeigant · 02-15-2019, 02:41 PM

Today I cleaned the tank and found the level mark. Looks like the fluid is 2 inches too low. I'm going to fill this and see what happens

NHRA225 · 02-16-2019, 06:37 PM

Sounds like the fluid Level is low - Top it off and Never use WD 40 for lube on your Legs - Always use a Good Spray Lube like CRC - Read up on it = WD 40 evaporates extremely fast and really doesn't really lube anything .

RWeigant · 02-17-2019, 08:03 AM

A guy in the park said I could use mineral oil instead of Hydraulic oil. Not sure I would do that. I think I'll stick with the right stuff.

KanzKran · 02-17-2019, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RWeigant

On out 2013 American Tradition. Haven't used the hydraulic jacks for 6 months until the first trip south. First stop and lowered the jacks and all went fine. When we left the jacks only came up 3". After re cycling the jacks I managed getting to not come up at all. Played around and they came up to that 3" mark again. We decided to head to our next site anyway. When we stoped I saw that the jacks were up all the way. The fluid is up to about 2" from the top. Looks like there is some oil dripping along side of the tank and down to the street flap. Nothing else works on hydraulics but the jacks. Called a guy and he said to clean the wet tank and try and see if I can find a leak. Afraid to lower them again.

Sounds like the breather is clogged. Assuming single-acting jack system, with spring return, having them down a long time allows air pressure inside the tank to eventually get to atmospheric, but retracting them will require time for the air to get pushed out, which may explain why they eventually came up.

If the tank is readily available from above (as opposed to under the coach), next time they don’t come up all the way, try cracking the filler/breather open and see if air comes out and the jacks go up. A partially clogged filler/breather can also explain the mess it’s made.

Without a schematic, I’m just guessing, but that’s what it sounds like from here.

lwmcguire · 02-17-2019, 10:35 AM

Hydraulic valve may be sticking

Are all the Jack's no wanting to raise?

RWeigant · 02-19-2019, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lwmcguire

Hydraulic valve may be sticking

Are all the Jack's no wanting to raise?

When trying to raise the jacks, none came up no more than 4 inches. All the jacks are up now and I'm not going to cycle them until I get the oil up to top level.