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Topic: What type of hydraulic oil for my '99 U295 ISC (Read 581 times) previous topic - next topic

What type of hydraulic oil for my '99 U295 ISC

I lost all my hydraulic oil due to a broken hose what oil do I use for replacement....15w-40 weight oil? or Hydraulic oil
Tony Pasquale
SOLD....
'99 U295 36'
WTFE, 04/99, #5572
Toad: 2020 Equinox

Re: What type of hydraulic oil for my '99 U295 ISC

Reply #1 –
Tony,

Most Foretravel hydraulic reservoirs have labels on them detailing exactly what kind of fluid is in them.

May also be a good time to change the (likely) three filters in the reservoir.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: What type of hydraulic oil for my '99 U295 ISC

Reply #2 –
Hi Greg,

Thank you for reply. It says SAE15W40 motor oil but I just wanted to confirm.  Will change filters after return to Maryland.

Thank you again,

Tony
Tony Pasquale
SOLD....
'99 U295 36'
WTFE, 04/99, #5572
Toad: 2020 Equinox

Re: What type of hydraulic oil for my '99 U295 ISC

Reply #3 –
A common fluid for the hydraulic systems on many Foretravels.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: What type of hydraulic oil for my '99 U295 ISC

Reply #4 –
I'm going to switch to hydraulic oil in the future. I feel it likely will be better on seals and all that jazz.
1998 U270 34'

Re: What type of hydraulic oil for my '99 U295 ISC

Reply #5 –
Quote from: krush –
I'm going to switch to hydraulic oil in the future. I feel it likely will be better on seals and all that jazz.

Not sure I understand.  The seals and whole system were DESIGNED for motor oil-- the fluid used by Foretravel for a LONG time.  Why do you think  a very different oil would be better that the one the system was designed for.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: What type of hydraulic oil for my '99 U295 ISC

Reply #6 –
Krush, Sorry but I don't understand why someone would change from the oil recommended to something else. That doesn't make sense. :o
Larry
1996 U295 36'
Build # 4805
Actually we sold it but just like to lurk

Re: What type of hydraulic oil for my '99 U295 ISC

Reply #7 –
Hi Tony,

Quartzsite neighbor Barry & Cindy here...
Sorry you had a broken hose, which can cause havoc with steering and  overheating.  What hose broke and were you driving?  Reservoir label will tell all, probably same as engine for convenience: 15w40.
Nice to change the three stacked filters in the reservoir every so often.  Use a new square shaped round rubber gasket, after cleaning gasket surface.  Take care to not drop wing nut as the bottom hoses are very large.  Much simpler and cleaner to pump out old fluid with an inexpensive throw-away drill pump.
Thanks again for saving our Quartzsite rally with your generator plug.  By the way, I did not re-plug in your block heater back in.
We did get our radiator leak repaired in Yuma and decided to redesign the bottom radiator support so the weight would be on a stronger part of the radiator, to prevent future leak.  And our generator is now back in business.
Are you headed back home to Jersey?

Re: What type of hydraulic oil for my '99 U295 ISC

Reply #8 –
Quote from: wolfe10 –
Not sure I understand.  The seals and whole system were DESIGNED for motor oil-- the fluid used by Foretravel for a LONG time.  Why do you think  a very different oil would be better that the one the system was designed for.


The pump, motors, etc are standard hydraulic components that normally use hydraulic fluids. Motor oil will work in them. If motor oil was the best, why would hydraulic systems use hydraulic fluids?

It's very odd that seals leak on motors so quickly and also leak on the steering box. In industry, pumps/motors run for years and years and never leak.
1998 U270 34'

Re: What type of hydraulic oil for my '99 U295 ISC

Reply #9 –
Vaguely recalling that hydraulic fluid is fairly corrosive whereas motor oil is much less so.  If the system could take either, my vote would be for motor oil.
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: What type of hydraulic oil for my '99 U295 ISC

Reply #10 –
Be aware that quite a number of steering box leaks are from improperly set cut angle limits.  If the steering box can turn the steering knuckles until  metal to metal contact is made with the stops, hydraulic pressures sky rocket.

Setting cut angles is not that difficult to do or check, but set incorrectly-- from factory or improper after-delivery adjustment WILL blow seals.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: What type of hydraulic oil for my '99 U295 ISC

Reply #11 –
Engine oil has different additives than hydraulic oil. For one, engine oil has many detergents and stuff to deal with combustion products.

Hydraulic oil has other additives made for hydraulic systems that probably won't work too well in engines.

Just because it works on engine oil, doesn't mean its the best option. Do as you please, I'll do as I please.

Weeping seals in steering box is not blown seal...is it?

See here for approval: Hydraulic Fan Motor Upgrade/Replace
1998 U270 34'

Re: What type of hydraulic oil for my '99 U295 ISC

Reply #12 –
Krush, do you plan on using the Cummins Premuim Blue? Have been contemplating this Chang myself.
Richard & Betty Bark & Keiko our Golden Doodle
2003 U320T 3820 PBDS
Build # 6215
MC # 16926
2016 Chevrolet Colorado 4X4 diesel

Re: What type of hydraulic oil for my '99 U295 ISC

Reply #13 –
I'll just use regular AW 32 hydraulic oil.
1998 U270 34'

Re: What type of hydraulic oil for my '99 U295 ISC

Reply #14 –
Wondering how extensive the flushing process needs to be to do this changeover. Not really considering it at this time, as (knock on wood), the hydraulic system appears to be holding all its vital fluid just fine and the filters were changed last year.
Don
Quote from: krush –
I'm going to switch to hydraulic oil in the future. I feel it likely will be better on seals and all that jazz.
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Don & Tys
1999 U270 3602 WTFE #5402
Xtreme Stage 1 w/Headlight, Step Conversion, etc.
2009 Honda Fit Sport with Navi
Freedom is NOT "just another word for nothing left to lose"... with apologies to Kris Kristofferson