hydraulic fluid stop leak?

[Murr]

Do they make an additive for hydraulic fluid to recondition seals and help stop leaks

 

[Mule Meat]

No

You may find something that will soften and swell the seals to stop a leak for a little while. But the leak will come back worse than ever. . Thing to remember about rubber seal type snake oils. Every rubber part in the system will be effected by it. So one leak today. Could turn into ten tomorrow.

 

[old]

Do they make an additive for hydraulic fluid to recondition seals and help stop leaks

Only real fix for that problem is to replace the seals. All a stop leak ever does is clog things up

 

[M-MAN]

Lucas makes a decent one.

 

[Ericp351]

Yes- products made, as stated. Yes- less than ideal. Also note- basic Brake Fluid, up to 10% long held to swell seals. Obviously- brake fluid is engineered to function well and maintain the seals used in a brake system, so no stretch that it will have a predictable effect with your hyd system. Ideal?- unlikely. Something to consider?- no brainer! Lastly note- it is a big world- some seals can not be serviced when desired at nearly any price. Think leaky ship shaft seal. Mid ocean dry dock not an option. "Seal saver" long sold by the drum. Can work. Not always cheap. Good luck. Do not allow the perfect to be the enemy of the good.

 

[ed12345]

Think I’d stay away from adding brake fluid to a mineral based hydraulic system

Guess it will soften seals as it eats them away. Along with all the other rubber components in the hydraulic system.

 

[Ericp351]

In general, I avoid that also. Common thing to do, and can keep you and your machine in the fight between overhauls. Basic info for Mr. Murr's query. Though somebody would also mention that some fluids , example-sub ISO 46 hydraulic- will leak more than say Universal Tractor fluid (more or less 80 wt.) or 100% (non artic) recommended ISO #46 and above hyd oils. Good, basic,- but non hyper specific question. Mr Murr probably wants info. I assume his machine cares little what I/ we like.

 

[Fritz Maurer]

Brake fluid may promote rust in air pockets in the system when the machine is idle. Not possible to keep every component completely flooded with oil as in a sealed brake hydraulic system.

 

[sotxbill]

No

You may find something that will soften and swell the seals to stop a leak for a little while. But the leak will come back worse than ever. . Thing to remember about rubber seal type snake oils. Every rubber part in the system will be effected by it. So one leak today. Could turn into ten tomorrow.

All of the power steering stop leak products are just that... made to stop leaks in hydraulic systems... by swelling and softening the seals in a hydraulic system. Lucas and other make a hydraulic stop leak product as well. https://www.amazon.com/s?k=lucas+hy...39&tag=googhydr-20&ref=pd_sl_72nwzwf3zd_e_p67

However usually these products dont work well as the 50/60 year old seals are rock hard, and start chipping out little pieces of rubber..... that can NOT be fixed by a seal conditioner. I have had probably around a 40% success rate by using it on ford tractor power steering pumps that have minor leaks at the front seal. Because if the front bearing has wear, the shaft will continue to move around in the seal anyway.

 

[sotxbill]

No

You may find something that will soften and swell the seals to stop a leak for a little while. But the leak will come back worse than ever. . Thing to remember about rubber seal type snake oils. Every rubber part in the system will be effected by it. So one leak today. Could turn into ten tomorrow.

All of the power steering stop leak products are just that... made to stop leaks in hydraulic systems... by swelling and softening the seals in a hydraulic system. Lucas and other make a hydraulic stop leak product as well. https://www.amazon.com/s?k=lucas+hy...39&tag=googhydr-20&ref=pd_sl_72nwzwf3zd_e_p67

However usually these products dont work well as the 50/60 year old seals are rock hard, and start chipping out little pieces of rubber..... that can NOT be fixed by a seal conditioner. I have had probably around a 40% success rate by using it on ford tractor power steering pumps that have minor leaks at the front seal. Because if the front bearing has wear, the shaft will continue to move around in the seal anyway.

Yes- products made, as stated. Yes- less than ideal. Also note- basic Brake Fluid, up to 10% long held to swell seals. Obviously- brake fluid is engineered to function well and maintain the seals used in a brake system, so no stretch that it will have a predictable effect with your hyd system. Ideal?- unlikely. Something to consider?- no brainer! Lastly note- it is a big world- some seals can not be serviced when desired at nearly any price. Think leaky ship shaft seal. Mid ocean dry dock not an option. "Seal saver" long sold by the drum. Can work. Not always cheap. Good luck. Do not allow the perfect to be the enemy of the good.

Ford warns against brake fluid in it tractors as it weakens the seals and they begin leaking.. I would not try that personally.

 

[MeanGene1]

I have had pretty good results with the Lucas product- and all of their stuff. I put some in the Farmhand loader on my 340 with weeping cylinders, not a perfect fix, but slowed it down a lot. Also the power steering on my Ford 850, cleaned it right up

 

[Fritz Maurer]

It really depends on what leaks you are trying to stop. If cylinders, they have urethane, Teflon, chevron , or common o-ring rod seals. The rubber o-ring seals are really the only ones that you are likely to have any success with. It is totally ineffective against the other seal types.

 

[Frank(Mi.)]

As MeanGene said the Lucas product has worked pretty well for me too. I had a leaking loader cylinder on one of my tractors. I bought a gallon of Lucas for the hydraulic system leaks and added probably a third of it to the hydraulic tank and it has stopped it from leaking. One year so far. I have no doubt it will come back someday but I am satisfied with the added time before I have to repair it....

 

[Mcrafty1]

No

You may find something that will soften and swell the seals to stop a leak for a little while. But the leak will come back worse than ever. . Thing to remember about rubber seal type snake oils. Every rubber part in the system will be effected by it. So one leak today. Could turn into ten tomorrow.

Wise advice.