C160 Auto Won’t Move

[Krice58 57]

I recently had a leaky gasket on the drivers side of the hydro where the hydro motor sits behind the rear wheel, and in order to do so you had to take off the motor cover, the 4 Allen head bolts and the 4 mounting bolts. In addition you had to remove a snap ring as well as an open ball bearing. After changing the mounting gasket and reassembly, I got nothing. Tractor won’t move in either direction, and hydro lift doesn’t work. Everything was functioning before. I did lose fluid when I opened it up so I did top it off but to no avail. Free wheel valve is closed, parking brake isn’t stuck. I’m lost. Help! 

[squonk 44,146]

Not 100% sure. But I remember someone had a similar problem. They had that cover mounted upside down

[Krice58 57]

30 minutes ago, squonk said:

Not 100% sure. But I remember someone had a similar problem. They had that cover mounted upside down

I believe it’s correct. From what I’ve read the side with the notches is the top and the smooth side is the bottom. 

[Treepep 730]

4 hours ago, squonk said:

Not 100% sure. But I remember someone had a similar problem. They had that cover mounted upside down

 

 

Can't hurt to 180 and see???

[pfrederi 18,810]

Motor in the picture is on  correctly.. Is the pump input shaft spinning with the pulley?  No lift means the charge pump is not working

 

 

Edited Wednesday at 05:08 PM by pfrederi

[Krice58 57]

49 minutes ago, pfrederi said:

Motor in the picture is on  correctly.. Is the pump input shaft spinning with the pulley?  No lift means the charge pump is not working

 

 

I’ll have to check when I get home.  

[Krice58 57]

2 hours ago, pfrederi said:

Motor in the picture is on  correctly.. Is the pump input shaft spinning with the pulley?  No lift means the charge pump is not working

 

 

The shaft is spinning. As least the fan on the outside is, I’m assuming it’s one part. It’s gotta be something with that pump motor. That’s the only thing I touched. 

[ineedanother 1,690]

What fluid did you top it off with, and how much, just out of curiosity?

[Krice58 57]

10 minutes ago, ineedanother said:

What fluid did you top it off with, and how much, just out of curiosity?

10W40. Maybe a quart or so? It’s reading full. 

[ineedanother 1,690]

Cool. 40 is more viscous than recommended but not by much and at least you didn't go with 80 like one might with a gear jammer, no offense but that's why asked.  It looks like your reassembly is correct and the only thing I can say is that I recently replaced hydro lift lines and couldn't get the pump to work until I overfilled it and just kept running the lift lever and cam control back and forth for a bit longer than I thought I would have to. 

 

To me, from what you have said is that the pistons just have to refill. hopefully everything is clean and oiled between them and the swash plate until that happens. Maybe someone else has a more logical explanation but I just don't.

[Krice58 57]

2 minutes ago, ineedanother said:

Cool. 40 is more viscous than recommended but not by much and at least you didn't go with 80 like one might with a gear jammer, no offense but that's why asked.  It looks like your reassembly is correct and the only thing I can say is that I recently replaced hydro lift lines and couldn't get the pump to work until I overfilled it and just kept running the lift lever and cam control back and forth for a bit longer than I thought I would have to. 

 

To me, from what you have said is that the pistons just have to refill. hopefully everything is clean and oiled between them and the swash plate until that happens. Maybe someone else has a more logical explanation but I just don't.

Hm. It’s funny you said that, I did replace two lift lines at the same time. I’ll have to give that a try, maybe it’s the same issue. Thanks! 

[953 nut 61,052]

First thing that comes to my mind is the desirability of having everything thoroughly clean when working on a hydro which obviously wasn't the case in your photo. I wouldn't take much dirt to totally ruin a hydro.

 

[pfrederi 18,810]

Remove #37 pour in your fluid till it over flows and try again operate the lift..may have to repeat 

 

 

 

 

[Krice58 57]

13 minutes ago, 953 nut said:

First thing that comes to my mind is the desirability of having everything thoroughly clean when working on a hydro which obviously wasn't the case in your photo. I wouldn't take much dirt to totally ruin a hydro.

 

I know it looks nasty there, but I did thoroughly clean the inside of housing and the mating surfaces, the surrounding areas I haven’t quite gotten to yet. The entire system needs a wash on the outside as it collected dirt and grass from the leaks. 

Edited Thursday at 12:49 PM by Krice58

[squonk 44,146]

Might have to crack the lines loose at the lift cyl while operating the lift control to get the air out

[Krice58 57]

On 9/17/2025 at 9:36 PM, ineedanother said:

Cool. 40 is more viscous than recommended but not by much and at least you didn't go with 80 like one might with a gear jammer, no offense but that's why asked.  It looks like your reassembly is correct and the only thing I can say is that I recently replaced hydro lift lines and couldn't get the pump to work until I overfilled it and just kept running the lift lever and cam control back and forth for a bit longer than I thought I would have to. 

 

To me, from what you have said is that the pistons just have to refill. hopefully everything is clean and oiled between them and the swash plate until that happens. Maybe someone else has a more logical explanation but I just don't.

Tried this several times and no luck. I’m gonna have to tear the pump back off and check things out. 

[ineedanother 1,690]

I'm curious to see what you find. If you've filled it and bled off the air like suggested above I figured it would start pumping. Keep us posted.

[pfrederi 18,810]

12 hours ago, ineedanother said:

I'm curious to see what you find. If you've filled it and bled off the air like suggested above I figured it would start pumping. Keep us posted.

 

Please do

 

The lack of lift shows the charge pump isn't developing any pressure...  I can't think of anything in the hydro motor that would cause that charge pump to fail.  But also I have to admit I have never had a problem getting sunstrands to self prime....

 

This is a puzzlement