PROBLEM: Customer getting water in his oil lubricated machine.

I had this one again the other day..........and always both fascinating and perplexing......to find the proper answer to solve.

THE SITUATION:

A 6 foot wide by 16 foot long 3 deck Horizontal or FLAT vibrating screen. With UNDERSLUNG gear driven twin shaft design. Lubrication is OIL IN END COVERS. No splash thru the shaft tube assembly.

This setup has CATERPILLAR type mushroom head design Bearing housing breathers on top of END COVERS on both sides.

also: tHE cross tube assembly has an AIR BREATHER on the top in the centre of 6 foot of width and a magnetic drain plug at the centre on the underside of the tube assembly.

CUSTOMER is getting large quantities of water in oil that he is actually draining out of the CENTRE TUBE drain position.

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FOR ONE YEAR........AFTER A REBUILD............NO PROBLEM......no water confirmed by monthly oil check PM PROGRAM. Then the next test........too much water in the oil to do a proper oil testing analysis.

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The question is WHY?

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We believe when the AIR BREATHERS are plugged......this creates pressure inside the end covers and the centre of the shaft assembly housing by the process of EXPANSION and CONTRACTION. if the breathers are not cleaned regularly......the high operating temperatures PLUS 160F.......expand and cause a positive OUTBOUND PRESSURE....blowing out.........and when the temperature COOLS DOWN........we actually........create large amounts of condensed moisture............AND CREATE a LARGE SUCTION........that sucks THE moisture, dirt and oil through the back seals in the END COVERS and into the centre of the tube.

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IF THIS IS THE case......you MUST keep your air breathers either cleaned to be open...........or replace on reg basis to keep open.

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IF THIS IS NOT THE CAUSE.......the operator should look at the END COVERS.......actually unbolt and pull off.......to see if the gaskets (paper) are soaked.......and allowing water to be pulled in via SUCTION......at this position. Or see if GASKET ELIMINATOR is chipped or fallen off in some place. to allow water ingression.

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CAN someone give further technical creedence to this concept which was explained to me recently. Sound PROPER?

Another day.........Another problem to SOLVE......

Keep on shakin.............George....... ■