This section will provide a short introduction to common system problems
and their symptoms
there are three main causes of hydraulic problems contamination such as dirt
water air or that the fluid itself may be contaminating the system if it's
additives have broken down heat this can be caused by internal leaks low oil
level or a faulty cooler leaps caused by broken pipes seals etc these problems
can cause operational problems such as choked pump Inlet strainer pump slippage
or leakage internal leakage in system components sticking of system valves and
actuators blocking of system valves and actuators
they can also be other problems like solenoids not operating electrical
source not operating relief valve counterbalance valves etc set wrong
human error external leaks are usually easy to find
internal leaks however can be difficult to locate normally a component with a
high rate of internal leakage will be very hot leaks can affect hydraulic
system operation in three ways actuators move slowly maximum available system
pressure may be reduced actuators may move when they should not fluids under
pressure flowing through leaks will generate heat heat will cause the
deterioration of synthetic and rubber components it also reduces fluid
lubricity which will cause metal paths to wear which will in turn result in
even more oil leakage here are some troubleshooting hints click on the
hotspots noisy pump clean Inlet strainer check Inlet piping for obstruction oil
viscosity to high operating temperature to low breather choked low oil level air
in oil loose or damaged intake pipe worn or damaged shaft
ceil worn or sticking veins worn or damaged gears and housing shaft
misalignment worn bearings low or irregular pressure contaminants in fluid
worn or sticking relief valve valves partially open pressure control setting
to low no pressure low oil level pump drive reversed or not running pump shaft
broken relief valve stuck open full pump volume by passing through faulty valve
or actuator actuator fails to move faulty pump operation directional
control valve not shifting operating pressure to low worn or damaged cylinder
or hydraulic motor mechanical bind slow or irregular operation air in oil low
oil level viscosity to high internal leaks pump drive too slow
irregular feed rates air in oil faulty or dirty flow control valves overheating
of system cooling water shut-off or heat exchanger clogged continuous operation
at relief valve setting excessive slippage or internal leakage