Pink, thick fluid leaked out

[pbiagi]

Hi, I have a 2005 Fifth Wheel that has been stored for 2 years. I went out the other day to move it, open the slides and clean it up, and when I opened the front hatch, the floor was coated with pink fluid...it appears that it leaked out from the motor that controls the slide-outs. It was thick. The slides would not open - even though you could hear the motor trying. There is a big white canister attached to the motor and I believe this is where the fluid came from. And, the camper place that fixed our A/c last year apparently kept our manual, so we have nothing - can't seem to get one from Forest River. Any help would be appreciated. Pam

[cardinal4fun]

You might try going to cardinalrvclub.org forum. You should get your answers there

[dezolen]

Would have to be hydralic fluid. Either seal is leaking on extension piston or connection on hoses. Hopefully if is just a loose connection that has allowed too much hydr fluid to leak out.

[milzat]

Most use a multi-purpose hydraulic fluid. Some use (ATF)automatic transmission fluid. Sounds as though yours uses transmission fluid because of it's color.
When hydraulic slide sysytems are not used regularly, seals can dry up and leak. Most leaks are obvious and easy to find, some are not. You may have to add fluid to the resevoir and operate the slide to find the leak.

Try this link , it might help.

[pbiagi]

Thank all of you for your reply - I'll check the links, and see if I can find anything obvious. Hopefully, it's still under warranty.

Pam

[Bird Hauler]

Originally Posted by pbiagi

Thank all of you for your reply - I'll check the links, and see if I can find anything obvious. Hopefully, it's still under warranty.

Pam

I very much doubt a 2005 will still be under warranty. Hydraulic pumps are one of those things that must be run rather frequently to keep the seals pliant. 2 years of storage will bite you everytime in a system like on the Forest River rigs. That's why, when push comes to shove, the electric systems have fewer problems after long term storage. I had an RV stored for 4 years and, after applying needed lubricant to the gears the slide worked on the first try.

You definately have a fluid leakage problem. Hopefully a hose is cracked and it's an easy repair (they also crack or soften to the point of leakage at connection points during long term storage).

If you add fuid and try it be careful. If the leak is in a bad spot or severe enough it could make a hell of a mess when you run the pump and it pressures up. Don't have your face near it or have your head in there with it when you test or you could get injured or covered with fluid

Larry

[jimh]

here i am posting a reply to a post that is almost a year old...but here goes.
i would first check the fittings. if it is the seals has anyone tried to put abt 1/4 cup of brake fluid in with the hydrolic fluid. this was an old trick used on auto transmissions that would swell the seals and make them seal off.

before anyone tries this trick, run it by someone that knows something abt it.