What Problems Can Occur When Hydraulic Oil Temperature Is Too High?
4 Answers
Here are the problems that can occur when hydraulic oil temperature is too high: 1. Reduced efficiency: Equipment movements become slower and weaker, reducing work efficiency and increasing engine fuel consumption. 2. Decreased viscosity: The viscosity decreases, leading to reduced lubrication performance. Temperature has a significant impact on hydraulic oil viscosity. When the temperature rises, liquid molecular activity intensifies, cohesion decreases, the hydraulic oil becomes thinner, the oil film becomes thinner and is easily destroyed, lubrication performance deteriorates, hydraulic component wear increases, damaging important hydraulic components such as hydraulic pumps, valves, and locks. 3. Increased internal leakage in the hydraulic system: Internal leakage in the hydraulic system increases, and various performance aspects of the hydraulic system begin to become unstable. The working accuracy of the hydraulic system declines. The valve core and valve body of control valves expand due to heat, the clearance between them decreases, affecting valve core movement, increasing wear, and even causing jamming, which affects hydraulic system operation. 4. Accelerated oxidation of hydraulic oil, leading to deterioration of the hydraulic oil and reducing its service life.
Last time I was driving a truck for long-distance transportation, the hydraulic oil temperature suddenly rose to the point where the warning light came on, and the power steering failed almost causing the truck to flip into a ditch. Excessive heat makes the oil as thin as water, losing its lubricating properties, and the pump wears out faster with a clicking sound. The heat causes the seals to expand, leaking dirty oil everywhere which is hard to clean. After oxidation, the oil turns black with sediment clogging the filter, causing the system to seize up and become immobile. Severe overheating can lock the hydraulic cylinder, making the control lever unresponsive, which is extremely dangerous. High temperatures accelerate oxidation and oil aging, shortening its lifespan and increasing costs. I immediately stopped to check and found the cooling fan was dirty, leading to poor heat dissipation. It's advisable to regularly monitor the dashboard, maintain proper oil levels, and avoid heavy loads or steep climbs. Otherwise, replacing a pump could cost hundreds or even thousands, wasting both time and effort.
Our auto repair shop frequently encounters hydraulic oil overheating issues. When oil temperature exceeds limits, viscosity drops, pressure becomes unstable, and valve response slows down with incorrect operations. High temperatures accelerate wear on hydraulic pump bearings, leading to premature failure and costly, difficult replacements. Seals rapidly age, harden, and leak, contaminating the chassis and requiring troublesome cleanup. The oxidation process generates acidic sludge, damaging metal and corroding valve components. In severe cases, system overheating triggers protection shutdowns, leaving vehicles stranded on the road. Timely maintenance includes checking for blocked cooling channels and regularly replacing hydraulic oil—don't skimp on these costs. Avoid continuous high-intensity operation; let the machinery rest and dissipate heat properly. Early detection of minor leaks prevents major hazards, ensuring both safety and cost-efficiency.
Excessive hydraulic oil temperature leads to multiple issues. High temperatures reduce oil viscosity, degrade lubrication performance, increase friction, and damage pump and actuator lifespan. Accelerated oil oxidation forms acidic substances that corrode components and generate sludge, clogging filters. Seals fail under thermal expansion, raising the risk of oil leaks. Inconsistent thermal expansion in the system causes unstable operation, reduced efficiency, or even overload shutdowns. Insufficient cooling may damage drive units, increase failure frequency, and shorten maintenance intervals. The key is to monitor system temperature, ensure proper ventilation, and perform timely oil changes to maintain stable operation.
