Lippert hydraulic jacks making noise....AGAIN

[Maggiesclan]

It’s has been over a year but my hydraulic jacks are making the popping noise again

When this happened before I had to add Catapillar hydraulic oil, which was quite expensive. Per Lippert.

Would someone remember the specific type of CAT oil needed? I have misplaced my notes from previous issue. Thanks!!

[Mikendebbie]

I bought a quart of this stuff at a motorcycle shop that was close to my office. The CAT dealer was 30 minutes away and I could not find it anywhere else.
This fork oil is listed in the Lippert documentation (see 2nd screen shot).
I think I paid $9.85 or so...

[ChuckS]

The popping you are hearing is an inherent item called “stiction” ... you will never completely get rid of it.. replacing a quart of the existing AW32 or ATF fluid with Lipperts recommended fluid for stiction issues may or may not completely rid the issue.

The internal seals are matted against the piston cylinder and are subject of surface friction and temperature changes. Mine pop sometimes on a cold day when the sun comes out and first starts to warm up the pistons.

They also may pop during the evening as temps cool back down...doesn’t hurt a thing and it will always be there..

[rohrmann]

The Lippert instructions do say, if one quart doesn’t fix the problem, adding a second quart is suggested. I added two quarts of Cat fluid in 2013, right after Lippert came out with the solution, and we haven’t had any popping since. I did drain and refill the system several years ago and installed a quart of Cat fluid then and it is still not popping.

[dieselguy]

I used Torco RFF 15W in mine ... Like said, it took 2 quarts to get rid of all popping. All Lippert recommended oil is pricey, but the fork oil is easier to come by in my neck of the woods.

[jetskier]

There's a 5/32" Allen head screw at the front side of the left front jack top solenoid. If you turn it CCW slightly, it will nearly stop the front jack from settling and making the popping noise. There's a LCI bulletin and a recent post on this. I was getting cracking and popping in the system along with the front jacks dropping. After I tightened this screw, the popping and settling nearly stopped altogether. I heard it pop once or twice in the last week in the early morning and evenings when there was large temperature swings. Before it would pop all day long a little at a time when you walked around the trailer.

[Maggiesclan]

Thanks for your responses. It is ridiculous that problem exists in first place, eh?

[Ram Montana High Country]

watch mixing fluids - I learned the hard way that using Stabil and Seafoam does work - they settled in the tank taking the 2 stroke oil with it. some hydraulic oils can not be mixed - causes foaming and makes it not work

[Andy Smith]

Originally Posted by jetskier

There's a 5/32" Allen head screw at the front side of the left front jack top solenoid. If you turn it CCW slightly, it will nearly stop the front jack from settling and making the popping noise. There's a LCI bulletin and a recent post on this. I was getting cracking and popping in the system along with the front jacks dropping. After I tightened this screw, the popping and settling nearly stopped altogether. I heard it pop once or twice in the last week in the early morning and evenings when there was large temperature swings. Before it would pop all day long a little at a time when you walked around the trailer.

Hi @Jetskier! Do you happen to have a link to any of this from Lippert, and what this does? I'm experiencing this popping and it's driving me crazy. We're going to add the fork oil next weekend but trying to do all we can to mitigate this would be really helpful.

[rohrmann]

Stiction is an issue in all hydraulic systems, and the Lippert leveling system is no different. You want to be near a utility line truck with the boom up in the air with a 2,000 regulator or big transformer hanging from the winch line and have the hydraulic ram pop. Scares everyone on the ground no matter how often it happens. Our mechanics used a lot of stiction fluid getting rid of this problem, way more than a couple quarts of the fluid.

[Carl n Susan]

Originally Posted by Andy Smith

Hi @Jetskier! Do you happen to have a link to any of this from Lippert, and what this does? I'm experiencing this popping and it's driving me crazy. We're going to add the fork oil next weekend but trying to do all we can to mitigate this would be really helpful.

I'm not Jetskier but here is a link to the Lippert Bulletin
https://lci-support-doc.s3.amazonaws...cd_0002091.pdf


Plus the bulletin has been added to the File Section as LCI - Adding Anti-Sticion Fluid (TSB-0295)

[Andy Smith]

Thanks for that! I've seen that before, I was wondering if there's any documentation on the allen screw that was mentioned in this post.

[ChuckS]

Originally Posted by Andy Smith

Thanks for that! I've seen that before, I was wondering if there's any documentation on the allen screw that was mentioned in this post.

I’ve not seen a specific Lippert TI to check or reseat the LG Hydac valve. That said if the Hydac valve manual over ride screw is not fully CCW it will allow fluid to bypass and this affects both Front LG because they are connected in tandem

Also..if a small piece of something is lodged inside the Hydac valve manually reseating the screw in the CCW position may help clear the issue

Images of Hydac valve and manual override screw that Must be fully CCW or fluid will leak past the valve. .. 2nd image shows my Hydac valve and arrow points to manual override screw at end of valve assy...

Note... there are two additional Hydac valves mounted on a manifold for the mid/rear leveler legs for each side.. these should also be checked ... you will also most likely see a third Hydac valve along with these two on a manifold and the third one will be for hydraulic slide outs