From: Bjorn Brandstedt (super_deuce@hotmail.com)
Date: Sat Oct 16 2004 - 04:49:19 PDT
Morning,
Driving through a dip filled with some 4 feet of water doesn't take long.
Time is counted in seconds.
The preparations were done over a period of years in my case and I'm not yet
done, BUT on a short notice what did I forget?
1) Well, the cap on the hydraulic fluid tank (crane) wasn't tight and came
off in the water, adding about a gallon of water to the oil.
The cap had been made waterproof by yours truly and my intenton was/is to
install a vent in the tank. Since the tank was no longer vented, the cap was
loosend up every time the crane was used, which is daily.
About 15 gallons of oil was replaced with new oil, but some of the old oil
trapped in the low suction line contaminated the fresh oil, so it will have
to be replaced one more time.
I have been cooking the oil on the kitchen stove (when my wife is out) and
keeping it at about 230-240 degF for 10-15 minutes seems to rid it of all
water. Fan running and windows and doors open. The brownish stuff turns back
to black/clear oil. It may look like a messy way to go, but the oil costs
almost $5/gal. Wonder if any additives are boiled off? What a mess.
2) I have frequently checked my brake fluid and been working on the vent
lines when finishing the crankase filter installation, so the vent was not
kept tight on the master cylinder.
The brake fluid looks ok, but since I use DOT 3, it's hard to tell how much,
if any water is mixed in. I will have to flush the brake lines...
3) So far, one of the inner wheel bearing seals (right rear rear) was not
doing its job and water contaminated that inner bearing grease. All the
wheel bearings have to be checked and repacked and the brake drums cleaned
(I have one more wheel to go).
4) The front right turn signal light housing had 2 screws missing and wasn't
tight. Water filled it and it must now be cleaned.
That's about it. Pressurizing the axle housings/transfer case and bell
housing/transmission worked well, no trace of water in the fluids.
Havn't checked the batteries yet.
Fording anyone?
Cheers,
Bjorn
MVPA 19212
Meadows of Dan, Virginia, where the leaves on the trees are turning yellow,
red and brown.
PS. One local attraction is the annual applebutter cooking process. It is
done outdoors and the huge gas heated kettle must be stirred constantly for
hours. It now reminds me of boiling hydraulic oil on the stove to get rid of
the water. BB
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