hydraulic leak??

[Texas-HILO]

From what I read the top should not rest on the safety bar. Mine will lift all the way up then settle down on the bar. And when I pull the cable it will slowly settle all the way down with out the pump. I have seen a leak when pumping the manual lift but I don't think it is leaking otherwise. Any thoughts?

 

[JackandJanet]

Texas, if your top is settling on the safety bar and is dropping all the way down without you pushing the "DOWN" switch, you DO have a leak.

It could be something as simple as the manual release valve is stuck partially open by a bit of dirt or maybe it just wasn't closed properly. Or, it could be a defective seal that would have to be repaired.

You say you've, "seen a leak"? Where was it?

- Jack

 

[Texas-HILO]

I see fluid around the manual pump.
Kind of underneath but can't pinpoint it with out pulling the unit.

 

[JackandJanet]

Check out this procedure to fix a partially open lowering valve: https://www.hilotrailerforum.com/f61/how-to-fix-top-half-creep-in-your-hilo-trailer-129/

If it's not the valve, you must have a leak somewhere else.

- Jack

 

[Texas-HILO]

Tried the procedure and did not fix my problem. I did find I have a cracking the top part of the fluid tank. Can this cause the top to fall? The only time I have seen fluid leak is when I pump the manual pump lever.

 

[JackandJanet]

Texas, I don't see how any break in the reservoir could cause the top to fall. It does not hold pressure. And, if the lowering valve is closing that is not the problem either. Your symptoms, sadly, point to a failure of the seals to hold pressure and they will probably have to be replaced. Someone on the forum recently did this himself, so, once you get the hydraulic ram out of the trailer, it must not be a very difficult process.

There are a few threads on how to remove the ram. You should be able to find them.

- Jack