Hydraulic Filter Change, Now Leak

[Mwoodofd]

I spent the day changing the generator oil/filter & air filter, both fuel filters, both low beam headlights and the Hydraulic spin on filter in the engine compartment.

I drained the hydraulic fluid by pocking a hole in the filter and draining in a bucket for recycling, removing the filter and gasket. Put the new filter on carefully making surer the gasket lined up with the housing, feeling all the way around making sure it was seated properly. (I filled the filter up with AW46 before I spun it on). I proceeded to fill the reservior, and had a major leak from the housing where the filter screws in (coming from where it would seal).

I did tighten the filter by hand as much as possible, and put the wrench on it to give it a small 1/4 turn to make sure it was snug.

I let the fluid drain (never started engine - gravity leak), and loosened the filter again, inspected housing and filter, put it back on, and the same result.

Can a filter be defective, or the housing crack. It is leaking from the high side since it is tilted slightly, so I am real confused. Any one have any ideas.

I will order another filter and try again to see if it leaks. See image.

[royals1212]

Check to make sure the rubber gasket from the old filter is not stuck on the housing.

[Flanz]

I’ve never changed this filter, but from what I understand the gasket can be a problem. Our mechanic at Spartan also told us that the filter gasket can be a problem. I’d suggest you talk with Spartan about the gasket for the filter.

[dennis45]

Originally Posted by royals1212

Check to make sure the rubber gasket from the old filter is not stuck on the housing.

Yes,

[twinboat]

You did push the gasket up in the grove of the housing, yes ?

God you match up the old and new gasket ?

Try the old gasket if its a bit different then the new one.

[MxChief66-1]

I’ve changed mine twice now. First time I used the gasket that came with the Zinga filter and had a hell of a time keeping it in place while I screwed on the filter. I literally had to get on my back and visually ensure the gasket didn’t move. I lucked out and got it first time. The next year I spoke with the parts man at Spartan Factory Service who informed me they had finally sourced a new gasket from NAPA that will better fit the Kiron Housing and was kind enough to give me a handful. Unfortunately they don’t have a number on them.

Since you have already replaced the fluid in the reservoir I would suggest corking the reservoir, spin the filter back off, inspect and reseat the gasket if not damaged. As long as you catch the fluid in a clean bucket you can reuse it. Third time could be a charm!!

[Mwoodofd]

Going back tomorrow if I can find a local filter. The old filter, when removed, had the gasket stuck to it. I will inspect the filter I installed to see if it damaged, or if a portion of the old gasket broke off when taking it off and is stuck in the housing, and I hope the housing is not cracked.

The leak was from about a 3" section around the filter housing where the gasket is - I hope it is that simple.

What a mess working with hydraulic fluid. Thankfully my 5 gallon Home Depot bucket was there.

[Mwoodofd]

Found a Wix 1746 at NAPA, and replaced the filter, and all is well. This time I inserted the gasket into the filter housing groove, and this gasket stayed in place, and spinning on the filter was easy.

The image below shows the gasket in my drain bucket, and how it appears to have got off track (2 times) putting it on. No more Zinga's for me.




$$ Lesson learned on this filter replacement, 2 filters and 6 gallons of Hydraulic fluid. (make sure the gasket stays in place - Thank you for all for confirming this)

I could not (did not want to) re-use what spilled out due to the dirt and grit it picked up over flowing the filter, and the hoses, and part of the frame in the back.

[96 Wideglide]

The Donaldson filter I used to replace the original Zinga, came with 3 different gaskets. You used the proper one for your filter head design.

[Smitty3509]

I've replaced mine twice now. I just set the gasket on top of the filter (there is no track for it) and spin it on, it just finds it's way in the groove of the filter housing. That hydraulic fluid is so slippery, it's too hard to put the gasket in the housing and then spin on the filter. It's really hard to hold on to anything once you get that fluid on your hands!

[757driver]

Originally Posted by Mwoodofd

Found a Wix 1746 at NAPA, and replaced the filter, and all is well. This time I inserted the gasket into the filter housing groove, and this gasket stayed in place, and spinning on the filter was easy.

The image below shows the gasket in my drain bucket, and how it appears to have got off track (2 times) putting it on. No more Zinga's for me.

Attachment 231173


$$ Lesson learned on this filter replacement, 2 filters and 6 gallons of Hydraulic fluid. (make sure the gasket stays in place - Thank you for all for confirming this)

I could not (did not want to) re-use what spilled out due to the dirt and grit it picked up over flowing the filter, and the hoses, and part of the frame in the back.

Perhaps it is just the angle of the picture but that gasket should not be on the outside of the lip, it should just sit on top. It appears as if the gasket is too large or has stretched.

[twinboat]

I've changed hydraulic filters thousands of times.

Take the old gasket out, match it to the new one. If it don't match, its back to the store or use the old one. They work twice.

Then you get a few blobs of grease, smeer it on the gasket and slip it up in the grove. Then watch that it doesn't drop as you screw on the filter.

You don't try to balance on the edge of the filter, while spinning it.

[Mwoodofd]

Smitty, that is what I tried to do. The filter in the bucket, the gasket would not stay in the groove by itself. Had to try to balance it on top of the filter and spin it on. I tried it, twice with the same result as the leak. (my original post shows the fluid pouring out of the filter, note the color of the filter on the edges compared to where the leak was, it was flowing). The wix gasket would stay in the groove for me.

Don, I did not look that close at the gasket size, but you may be right. I do believe once I tightened it, the gasket ended up in the position as show, causing the fluid to leak out so fast)

So happy the new filter fixed it - hope to see you in Quartzsite!

[Cruzer]

Originally Posted by twinboat

I've changed hydraulic filters thousands of times.

Take the old gasket out, match it to the new one. If it don't match, its back to the store or use the old one. They work twice.

Then you get a few blobs of grease, smeer it on the gasket and slip it up in the grove. Then watch that it doesn't drop as you screw on the filter.

You don't try to balance on the edge of the filter, while spinning it.

That's the key. The thick grease keeps it from falling out. Also be sure to wipe a bit of oil on the exposed surface of the gasket to prevent it from binding when tightening.