Porta Power

[Mark Poss]

I just bought a porta power at a garage sale and it is low on oil. Can someome tell me what type of oil to use? Thanks for your time, Mark.

 

[glennster]

Hydraulic jack oil works fine

 

[Dalex]

Any hydraulic oil is good. Power steering fluid will work as will ATF.

 

[JD Seller]

I like using "Low Viscosity Hy-Guard". and thin hydraulic oil will work. I try to stay away from ATF. The high detergent is rough on old seals.

 

[BigMarv1085]

I have a partial gallon of Porta Power hyd fluid and it states that its 10wt

 

[Pops1532]

Jack oil, hyd oil, brake fluid.

 

[Dalex]

NO Brake fluid. It is not compatible with oils and
will ruin the cylinder with rust.

 

[Anonymous-0]

It will take out the rubber seals too. Just use hyd. jack oil.

 

[Pops1532]

(quoted from post at 02:28:14 01/13/14) NO Brake fluid. It is not compatible with oils and
will ruin the cylinder with rust.

I have a port a power, and 2 hyd jacks that have had brake fluid in them for over 30 years with no problems. IIRC the tag on one of them said to use brake fluid. Been a long time and the foil tag is long gone. YMMV.

 

[Brian G. NY]

Use brake fluid for BRAKES!! Most is alcohol based and does not mix with petroleum based hydraulic oils.
I've seen both a floor jack and a snowplow hydraulic system where someone added brake fluid.
You cannot believe the mess !!

 

[IH2444]

(quoted from post at 23:24:28 01/12/14) It will take out the rubber seals too. Just use hyd. jack oil.

why does brake fluid not take out the cups and seals in brake cylinders and calipers then?

But yes do not mix it with other oils.