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05-04-2018, 08:40 AM
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#1
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Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 63
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Changing Hydraulic Fluid Lippert 6 point levelling system
I noticed that after 3yrs Lippert recommends changing the hydraulic fluid in my 6 point self levelling system on my Silverback 33IK made by Cedar Creek. I don't know how complicated it is or how messy it is and not sure that I would be comfortable with making sure the system is bled properly once I'm done. I would prefer to bring it to a dealer in my area. For some reason, my Cedar Creek dealer does not do this type of work. I live in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada. I have searched youtube to see what's involved, but can't seem to find anything on changing the fluid.
I would appreciate any help...thank you
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05-04-2018, 10:32 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 1,839
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Joe O
I noticed that after 3yrs Lippert recommends changing the hydraulic fluid in my 6 point self levelling system on my Silverback 33IK made by Cedar Creek. I don't know how complicated it is or how messy it is and not sure that I would be comfortable with making sure the system is bled properly once I'm done. I would prefer to bring it to a dealer in my area. For some reason, my Cedar Creek dealer does not do this type of work. I live in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada. I have searched youtube to see what's involved, but can't seem to find anything on changing the fluid.
I would appreciate any help...thank you
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I would get a mighty vac and suck out the reservoir. Then refill. That'll do it, really, but I'd not hesitate to do it a second time after cycling the system a time or three.
Or just make it an annual thing. I bet you can do it in 15 minutes (the second time, anyway).
You never can fully flush a system like that. You're just getting the bulk of the contamination out and diluting the remaining contamination.
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05-04-2018, 05:52 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: East Berlin
Posts: 734
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Changing Hydraulic Fluid Lippert 6 point levelling system
I have just purchased everything to change mine as well on our 33IK. I am doing it actually as aeblank has posted. I am going to empty the tank and refill it, then run the system a few times both jacks and slides. Going to change the tank fluid again. I am also going to add a quart of Cat 1U-1891 hydraulic oil additive. This is an anti stiction fluid that prevents the Jack popping many complain about. Had to add this after first camping trip never had popping since.
I'm using the small hand pump you can buy at Walmart to empty and fill the tank. Worked well when I added the Cat fluid.
The system is self bleeding and will push air into the tank.
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05-04-2018, 06:16 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 1,839
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Mmm, stick slip additive. Almost used it on a hydraulic generator project I used to design for.....
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05-04-2018, 06:56 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Edmonton.Alberta,Canada
Posts: 163
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I’m not sure why Lippert would recommend you to change fluid.
Unless you contaminated the reservoir with water or ?
The breather on the reservoir acts as a filter,not great but still filters dust particles.
Hydraulic fluids in very intermittent operations like levelling systems and landing gear imo should be just left alone, waist of time and moneys
How often do you change your power steering fluid on your TV? Or your transmission that operates at extreme temperatures
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05-05-2018, 12:42 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Savannah, GA
Posts: 185
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I agree with WIN. In time, 5606 and similar (red) types of hydraulic fluids will oxidize which can be identified by it turning a very dark maroon color. That will not happen in 3 years even in high stress applications which our slides/jacks is not. Frequent calendar based changes of these fluids is not recommended even for aircraft applications.
Your call, of course, but if your fluid remains bright red and doesn't cause any problems like stiction I suggest not 'fixing' what's not 'broke'.
__________________
2017.5 Cedar Creek 34RL2
2018 F-350 Lariat CC SRW PSD 4x4
USMC Fighter Pilot (Ret)
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05-05-2018, 01:48 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Carlyss, Louisiana
Posts: 520
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Changing Hydraulic Fluid
I will second what TandSH said. I am a retired aircraft mechanic, 21 yrs. military and 22 yrs. commercial. I have never seen a scheduled change for hydraulic fluid, the stuff just does not wear out. Who is recommending to you that the fluid be changed, the manufacturer or your dealer. I would suspect that someone is looking to make a quick buck from you.
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05-05-2018, 02:29 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Maurice, LA
Posts: 4,100
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Joe O
I noticed that after 3yrs Lippert recommends changing the hydraulic fluid in my 6 point self levelling system on my Silverback 33IK made by Cedar Creek. I don't know how complicated it is or how messy it is and not sure that I would be comfortable with making sure the system is bled properly once I'm done. I would prefer to bring it to a dealer in my area. For some reason, my Cedar Creek dealer does not do this type of work. I live in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada. I have searched youtube to see what's involved, but can't seem to find anything on changing the fluid.
I would appreciate any help...thank you
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Here is a simple tool to completely vacuum all the fluid out of the reservoir for the system, and/or your hydraulic slide out system:
https://www.harborfreight.com/brake-...der-92924.html
You do need a compressor to operate this tool. They also make a hand pump system at HF but it is more work.
The process is simple:
1. Insure your leveling or slide out system is fully retracted (this will put all the fluid except what is left in the hoses in the tank)
2. vacuum all the fluid out of the reservoir. (you may have to dump the holding tank one or two times)
3. Refill with the proper fluid (check with the system manufacturer) Mine uses Dexron III fluid for the slides.
DONE! 30 Minutes tops and no help needed.
It is interesting you brought this up. I just recently purged/flushed my slide out reservoir because it was getting black. The fluid is red when new. CANT be good for the seals etc. in the system!
__________________
2012 Wildcat Sterling 32RL, Gladiator Qr35 ST235/85R16 Load rating G, TST 507 TPMS w/ Flow-thru Sensors & Repeater, Reese Sidewinder 16K Pin Box, PI EMS HW50C
2009 Chevy Silverado 2500HD CCSB LTZ Diesel, Fumoto Oil Drain Valve, Turbo Brake activated, 39 gal Aux Tank W/ Fuel Pump transfer, Air Lift Loadlifter 5000 air bags.
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05-05-2018, 02:57 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Maurice, LA
Posts: 4,100
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Walholler
I will second what TandSH said. I am a retired aircraft mechanic, 21 yrs. military and 22 yrs. commercial. I have never seen a scheduled change for hydraulic fluid, the stuff just does not wear out. Who is recommending to you that the fluid be changed, the manufacturer or your dealer. I would suspect that someone is looking to make a quick buck from you.
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The fluid Doe sNot "wear out" What does happenhowever is the fluid is pumped from the reservoir into the cylinders to open the sliede outs or jack up the camper.
Ambient air (often full of dust) displaces the fluid in the reservoir. When you retract the slides.jacks, the dust saays i the fluid but the air leaves. Over time the dust accumulates.
Im a Helicopter Pilot for a living. Tell me, Mr Aircraft Mechanic, what happens when contaminated fluid, under pressure and seals interact?
You are absolutely correct, leaks develop, (the NEVER heal them selves), and maintenance/replacement of major components is now required.
Is it not better to maintain them correctly,, remove the contaminants and get more useful, trouble free, life out of your machine?
Right again the answer is YES!!
__________________
2012 Wildcat Sterling 32RL, Gladiator Qr35 ST235/85R16 Load rating G, TST 507 TPMS w/ Flow-thru Sensors & Repeater, Reese Sidewinder 16K Pin Box, PI EMS HW50C
2009 Chevy Silverado 2500HD CCSB LTZ Diesel, Fumoto Oil Drain Valve, Turbo Brake activated, 39 gal Aux Tank W/ Fuel Pump transfer, Air Lift Loadlifter 5000 air bags.
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05-05-2018, 03:34 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Edmonton.Alberta,Canada
Posts: 163
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Your hydraulic theory sucks
We are taking low pressure, low cost , low maintenance Lippert system here.
Aircraft systems are total different animals, you should know better.
Glad your a pilot not an aircraft technician
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05-05-2018, 04:15 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 175
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Ouch!
__________________
2017 Ford F350 LB SRW 4x4
2016 Cedar Creek Silverback 29RE
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05-05-2018, 09:47 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Maurice, LA
Posts: 4,100
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Quote:
Originally Posted by win
Your hydraulic theory sucks
We are taking low pressure, low cost , low maintenance Lippert system here.
Aircraft systems are total different animals, you should know better.
Glad your a pilot not an aircraft technician
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It is not a theory, it is basic physics and aero/hydro dynamics.
And I am glad that you have nothing to do with the maintenance of my camper, or anything else I own for that matter.
Any mechanic, who believes he knows more about any mechanical system than the engineers who designed, built and created the maintenance schedule for that particular mechanical system should find another line of work.
That person knows nothing about correctly maintaining equipment.
I have added you to my "Ignore" list because I do not believe any advice I could possibly receive from you would be worth the time it took me to read it. Have a nice life!
__________________
2012 Wildcat Sterling 32RL, Gladiator Qr35 ST235/85R16 Load rating G, TST 507 TPMS w/ Flow-thru Sensors & Repeater, Reese Sidewinder 16K Pin Box, PI EMS HW50C
2009 Chevy Silverado 2500HD CCSB LTZ Diesel, Fumoto Oil Drain Valve, Turbo Brake activated, 39 gal Aux Tank W/ Fuel Pump transfer, Air Lift Loadlifter 5000 air bags.
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05-05-2018, 10:17 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 840
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Hydraulic systems of all kinds require clean fluid in order to operate properly, no matter what the volume, or the application, or the operating pressure. Hydraulic fluids by themselves are not particularly susceptible to degradation unless they are subject to operating at elevated temperatures. I have worked on the hydraulic control systems on the Lockheed SR-71 "Blackbird" where operating temperatures exceeded 600 degrees F!!
The biggest threat to the proper operation of hydraulic systems is particulate contamination of the fluid, aka "dust" as described in a previous notice. Abrasive particles that contaminate the fluid can cause damage to pumps, valves, and seals of all hydraulic systems.
The first defense is to make sure that the hydraulic reservoir of your leveling system is properly sealed and protected from intrusion of dirt particles that can contaminate the fluid. Next, make sure you wipe off all dirt contamination on the leveler rods each time you extend and then retract them before your next trip. I use a light spray of WD-40 each time I retract the rams. If you live in excessively dusty conditions, you may want to consider installing a fluid filtration device such as a MotorGard plumbed into your fluid reservoir. It can be set up to operate on command, or 24/7 whenever you are hooked up to electricity. The MotorGard will remove particles as small as 0.01 microns around the clock. The fluid will basically last as long as you own your RV.
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05-07-2018, 06:19 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 129
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jakie-Boy
Hydraulic systems of all kinds require clean fluid in order to operate properly, no matter what the volume, or the application, or the operating pressure. Hydraulic fluids by themselves are not particularly susceptible to degradation unless they are subject to operating at elevated temperatures. I have worked on the hydraulic control systems on the Lockheed SR-71 "Blackbird" where operating temperatures exceeded 600 degrees F!!
The biggest threat to the proper operation of hydraulic systems is particulate contamination of the fluid, aka "dust" as described in a previous notice. Abrasive particles that contaminate the fluid can cause damage to pumps, valves, and seals of all hydraulic systems.
The first defense is to make sure that the hydraulic reservoir of your leveling system is properly sealed and protected from intrusion of dirt particles that can contaminate the fluid. Next, make sure you wipe off all dirt contamination on the leveler rods each time you extend and then retract them before your next trip. I use a light spray of WD-40 each time I retract the rams. If you live in excessively dusty conditions, you may want to consider installing a fluid filtration device such as a MotorGard plumbed into your fluid reservoir. It can be set up to operate on command, or 24/7 whenever you are hooked up to electricity. The MotorGard will remove particles as small as 0.01 microns around the clock. The fluid will basically last as long as you own your RV.
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I just did this to replace the ATF in the system with synthetic ATF. This is less viscous when cold and prevents the pump from blowing fuses. So far, so good on running slides and hydraulic legs.
__________________
2016 FR Sierra 377FLIK
2016 GMC Sierra 2500HD Diesel
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06-11-2018, 09:09 AM
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#15
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Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 63
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Changing Hydraulic Fluid Lippert 6 point levelling system
Thanks for the matter of opinions. Now I'm not sure what to do. It is recommended in the Lippert manual to change the hydraulic fluid every 3yrs.
But now that I have read some of the mechanics reply....I really wonder if it's necessary.
I tried calling Lippert, but they tell me that they are only the parts department and don't have any technical knowledge.....yikes!
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