3040 – 16 – Understanding Fluid Maintenance

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There are a lot of signals that an MWF can be unstable. A low sump level means there has been MWF loss or water evaporation. Checking fluid levels and putting in the correct amounts indicated by the shop procedures. If you find water at the bottom of the sump drain with straight oil in it, there is a possibility of contamination. Floating material like chips, dirt, grit, swarf or mold need to be removed, with skimmers and filtering devices to keep contamination to a minimum.

If excess tramp oil from different operations floats on the surface and won’t go away shortly, you need to remove it or pump it according to procedure. MWF with too much foam reveal water softness or hardness issues, too much fluid concentrate, microorganisms, or contamination from other cleaners.

A lot of MWFs are clear or milky-white, if they appear grey, brown, or black, then cross contamination could be prevalent. When an MWF is foul-smelling it can mean bacterial or mold presence and a rancid fluid. Keep the machine, tools and trenches clean and rust or corrosion-free to avoid contamination. Make sure the fluid freely flowing and no fungi or molds. Fluid viscosity can show if an fluid can no longer be safe to use. If there are issues or failure at the workpiece-tool interface, it can indicate a problem.