Hydraulic pump leak

[Don Forsyth]

I have a 2005 Beaver Monterey Laguna IV w/Cat C9  400. I noticed the other day a puddle under the rear just about the battery location. I crawled under to find that the large hydraulic line that connects to the pump had loosened and was dripping. I lost about a gal of fluid. Which makes sense because my power steering started groaning. Originally the elbow of the line was horizontal and up near the frame and tucked away. When I found it, it was hanging down vertically. I pushed it back up as tight as I could by hand and then put a pipe wrench on the fitting. I thought that fixed it until a few days later when I noticed a new spot on the ground. The fitting is still leaking. I can't tighten it anymore and was wondering it maybe the nut turns on the front of the pump. So not wanting to create more problems I thought I would reach out and see if anyone was familiar with this and how to tighten it. Having trouble attaching picture.

[Frank Bergamo]

The fitting that goes into the pump housing is a O-ring fitting. Rotate the elbow fitting where it lines up with the hose fitting then snug it down. That should fix the drip. If not, then back out the nut to access the O-ring and replace O-ring and reassemble. Hope this helps.

[Don Forsyth]

Thank you Frank,
If I do wind up replacing the o ring I assume I will have to drain the pump and reservoir. Is that true?

[Eric Maclean]

Don
As Frank pointed out the hydraulic fitting in question is what is known as an ORB ( O ring based fitting) . They are designed to be treated in and don't tighten up on the threads like a pipe thread does instead the stay loose in the valve block which allows you to position the fitting to the desired angle to allow hose connections to be where you need them.
One the fitting is threaded in and positioned correctly the jamb nut is tightened against the O ring which seals and locks the fitting in place.
It is common for the vibration from the running engine to loosen these type of fittings
As Frank pointed out if simply retightening the jamb nut doesn't solve the leak you may have to remove the fitting and replace the O ring.

Eric

[Frank Bergamo]

Very little should leak out if you need to replace O-ring. First, snug up the nut, that should take care of your drip.