Water in 418-a Eaton Model 11

[Old Ron 1]

I have a Eaton Model 11 with water in the transmission. 

I have been filling with oil and installing a new filter, then running for a few minuets and draining.

I have done this 3 times and oil still comes out cloudy.

Anyone have any other suggestions?

 

Edited Saturday at 11:40 AM by Old Ron
changed description

[c-series don 10,671]

Jack up the front of the tractor so the front wheels are a foot or two off the ground while draining the oil out. There’s an internal hump in the transmission. Jacking it up will help get the oil over that hump. Also cycle the hydraulic cylinder a few times to help purge the hydraulic valve, lines, and cylinder of water. Do you have any pictures of your tractor? Those 400 series are some of my favorite WH’s ! I have a 416-H, 417-A, 418-C, 418-8, and a 420-LSE. 

[JoeM 9,029]

Welcome Ron.

It is real hard to get all of the old oil out of the Eaton 11 system. 

Is the oil just cloudy or is the pronounced water that comes out of the drain plug?

Motor oils can take up to 1% water and retain their lubrication ability.

I would not panic.

 

Like HD says, the bulk of the oil is in the sump and filter and you have drained those. Some residual is in the charge circuit. 

One question is how long have you left the sump drain? If you raise the front of the machine up and leave it over night that will help the drain.

If the oil is just cloudy it would be best to run it a few hour and preform a drain and refill.  

 

[Dan 312-8 280]

42 minutes ago, c-series don said:

Jack up the front of the tractor so the front wheels are a foot or two off the ground while draining the oil out. There’s an internal hump in the transmission. Jacking it up will help get the oil over that hump. Also cycle the hydraulic cylinder a few times to help purge the hydraulic valve, lines, and cylinder of water. Do you have any pictures of your tractor? Those 400 series are some of my favorite WH’s ! I have a 416-H, 417-A, 418-C, 418-8, and a 420-LSE. 

@c-series don, the missing gem to your 418 trifecta! 

[Old Ron 1]

Thanks for the info!!! The oil just looks cloudy. I will jack up the front end ..

[953 nut 62,547]

Not much I can add to what Joe and Don have said. Since oil floats on water it may be advisable to allow time for the two to separate prior to the next draining. 

This service manual for the Eaton1100 may be helpful.

 

[Ed Kennell 43,303]

to the  Ron.       How did water get in an Eaton hydro?

[JoeM 9,029]

23 minutes ago, Ed Kennell said:

How did water get in an Eaton hydro?

I am not sure about Ron but I left one out for 2 winters.  I was out of room and figured those transmissions are sealed up pretty good.

The snow and rain pooled around the fill tube and migrated into the case. I figure the heat cool cycles helped too. That was the only way I figured it got into the case. 

 

At work we had found pallets of oil that was contaminated with water. Found out the supply yard thought they could leave the 5 gallon cans out in the weather. Heating and cooling, the rain that was on top of the cans got sucked inside. Industrial CSI 

[Handy Don 14,851]

13 minutes ago, JoeM said:

The snow and rain pooled around the fill tube and migrated into the case. I figure the heat cool cycles helped too. That was the only way I figured it got into the case. 

Another source is the vent in the fill tube handle allowing in/out movement of air (which always has moisture in it). Warm/cold cycle causes condensation.  

Edited Saturday at 02:42 PM by Handy Don

[kpinnc 15,919]

11 hours ago, Old Ron said:

Anyone have any other suggestions?

 

All great suggestions here. One other thing is to make sure you get what is in the hydraulic lines, cylinder, and spool valve out. 

[Handy Don 14,851]

15 hours ago, Old Ron said:

I have done this 3 times and oil still comes out cloudy.

 

3 hours ago, kpinnc said:

One other thing is to make sure you get what is in the hydraulic lines, cylinder, and spool valve out. 

There is no easy way to get all the oil out of the charge pump, valve, hydraulic cylinder, and hoses/tubes because there is no good way to safely introduce air to replace it. The service manual assumes disassembly (which, for my money can cause more trouble that its worth).

One thing I’ve used comes after as much oil as possible has been drained from the sump and the oil filter has been removed. Secure the tractor in the “nose up” position and manually exercise the hydraulic cylinder’s rod in and out while holding the control valve in the corresponding positions for lift and drop. This can force most of the oil out of the cylinder. Do this for two or three cycles or until no more oil comes out. Where does it come out? Out of the oil filter mount--so be prepared!

 

Edited yesterday at 02:55 AM by Handy Don

[rmaynard 16,632]

On 11/22/2025 at 8:55 AM, Ed Kennell said:

How did water get in an Eaton hydro?

This one has me baffled as well.

It's  not like a manual where rain water can get in via a bad shifter boot. My 416-H is an outsider. Occasionally covered. I've changed the oil and filter twice since 2014. Never any signs of water. If it's truly water that is making it cloudy, I would try this. Let is sit for a couple of weeks if possible, then take the drain plug out. The first thing that should come out should be clear water since water is heavier than oil and sinks to the bottom.

[kpinnc 15,919]

13 hours ago, rmaynard said:

This one has me baffled as well.

It's  not like a manual where rain water can get in via a bad shifter boot.

 

I'd check the plastic filler neck for a crack. And make sure the rubber grommet is in good shape on the dipstick. 

 

Definitely hard to get water in anywhere else unless you have a really bad oil leak like an o ring missing on the ram or something. 

 

Or maybe it got washed at a car wash and the dipstick popped up?