Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions

Man I'm bummed out a little here.

went to make sure my Honda track drive was race read and found a small puddle

under the machine??? Looks like hydrostatic trans fluid ??

The reservoir is just a hair above the low mark.

Anyone have a clue as to where to start looking for the leak?

I was wondering if I can use 5w-40 motor oil in there to top it off?

Thanks in advance al

 

 

Do not use motor oil in the hydrostatic trans reservoir!! Honda owners in the past have reported that the fluid level goes up when the trans is warm. If it is at or above the minimum line I would use it but keep on checking the level.

How big is the puddle and where does it originate from? Is the unit new?

Marc

njal wrote:
Relax.  It may not be hydro oil leaking.  Check you rmanual on checking fluid level when cold.  I think the fluid level can be accurately read when warm.  :)  Don't top it off with motor oil.  It's probably better for your fluid to be low than putting in the wrong fluid.

Hi Marc thanks for the reply

The puddle is small.No it's not new,bought it last year.

I think it's about 7 years old but looks like it was never used.

I plan on using it tonight /tomorrow will keep an eye on the level.

I'm going to flip it over and see if I can see where the leak is comming from.

aa335

well I think there was about a teaspoon full  trans fluid under there.

It was to clean to be motor oil..

njal,

Did you recently do an oil change or top it off? That might be the fluid that you are seeing.

njal wrote:

Najal- You spoke about flipping the unit over to find the leak. Have you flipped it over lately to prepare it for the comming season? As in waxing it or checking the shear pins or changing the oil? If so you may have caused a small spill out of the reservoir cap or a vent .

If the puddle is small I would keep an eye on all the fluid levels and definitely stop by the Honda dealer this week and pick up some OEM trans fluid. Remember to check the trans level when warm.

Marc

I think AA335 is a wise man.  I did an oil change after 3 hours of use and saw a small puddle of motor oil just below the hydrostatic fluid reservior.  The hydrostatic fluid level is low when the ambient temperature is below 40F or 5C.  The fluid level goes up to normal when fully warmed up.  If you want to use motor oil - it is up to you but I would not use it since the purpose of these oils are different (motor oil for engine and hydrostatic fluid for transmission).

MN_Runner wrote:

Hey Guys thanks for reply

I was just out there fussing with it and no new oil under the unit..?

I'm going to keep an eye on the level and will report back.

I don't know what the heck I did.

Temp             Fluid level

 

20°C Between upper and lower limit marks

(68°F) (approx. 5 mm (0.20 in) above lower limit marks)

 

10°C Slightly above lower limit mark

(50°F)(approx. 2 mm (0.08 in) above lower limit mark)

 

0°C Slightly below lower limit mark

(32°F) (approx. 1 mm (0.04 in) below lower limit mark)

 

10°C Between lower limit mark and bottom of reservoir

(14°F) (approx. 4 mm (0.16 in) below lower limit mark)

 

For an owners manual:

http://www.hondapowerequipment.com/products/manuals/default.aspx

 

For exploded views:

Google boats.net

Trouts comes through again.  This guy is snowblower wikipedia.