[mycroft]

Title pretty much says it all. Attempting to repair a leaking axle seal on a Hydro-Gear 319-0650 (aka 150071) transaxle. Unlike all the other issues with a hydro transaxle I've read about, mine seems to be the opposite. Low speed/power when cold and after about 30 minutes both speed and power pick up to nearly normal levels. Only thing I can figure is the leaky seal heats up to a point where it seals enough to build pressure back up.

Anyway, I've got the service manual, a seal kit coming, and picked up the oil and grease the other day. The only thing I haven't been able to determine is what kind of sealant to use to put it back together. Would Permatex Ultra Black Maximum Oil Resistance RTV Silicone be appropriate? Or would one of Permatex's other sealants be a better choice? Many of the Permatex products are readily available here.

Thanks!

Cameron

 

[davidg]

:Welcome1:

you have the SM, what does it say?

 

[mycroft]

From the service manual I quote...

"Fixture the lower housing and apply a thin bead of sealant as shown in the following two examples.

NOTE: The drawings below may not appear the same as the factory sealant application, but are the recommended patterns. Apply sparingly.

NOTE: Sealant must be of good quality, oil and heat resistant."

End quote.

Great, that tells me a whole lot.

Previous question still stands.

 

[olcowhand]

Permatex "Ultra Gray" is a great sealant for hydro cases.

 

[mycroft]

Thanks! Both the Ultra Grey and Ultra Black had similar properties when I read the packages. I was only thinking the black because that's what color the old sealant appears to be.

It sure would be nice if the manual gave you the type to use. I mean they tell you what weight oil to fill it with and spec the grease to a specific brand and type. Maybe they figured 2 out of 3 was good enough.

 

[davidg]

LOL, sounds like they tell you a lot.

 

[mycroft]

Don't ya just love service manuals like that?

Well, wish me luck. Got it all tore down and back together without breaking it or me or having any left over parts. Biggest challenge was getting the old sealant off without getting all the bits of it in places the pump would pick up. It would have been very simple if I had taken out the pump, but everything I read said not to do that unless you absolutely have to. Sunday morning I'll find out if it holds oil and runs any better or if I'm buying a new transaxle.