Hi all, First post so here goes. I have been restoring a 1995 963B that was sitting in the paddock for 2 years, new batteries and a change of engine oil and filter and started first pop. Have topped up fluids and used it for a couple of hours and notice the trans oil has a milky bubbly look to it like water contamination but can't fathom how water can get in, maybe laying idle for a few years has gathered some condensation. That and a nasty oil leak from the hydo area are the only two problems to show up so far. Any ideas on the oil colour and the leak? Rick
Yes, it's entirely possible for condensation to contaminate the oil. My advice would be to drain it, send a sample to Westrac for analysis and refill with the best quality oil you can afford, preferably Cat advanced HYDO. There's too much money at stake to mess around.
Excavator Thanks Cmark, can the trans oil be drained without removing the belly guard?
Originally there would have been a small inspection cover bolted to the belly plate. If it's still there then yes but a lot of the time they get lost and someone will weld a plate over the hole. On the other hand, if you're doing a restoration and haven't removed them then you probably should anyway, A) to clean out the carp and, B) to help find your hydraulic leak.