68' Hyster H50F transmission oil leak

Serial # B3D 5135
Monotrol transmission, continental LP engine, 4 cylinder. This lift runs and operates as it should except for excessive oil buildup in the transmission housing. I have purchased a service manual for the H50H series of machines and believe the transmission and hydraulics to be the same as mine. Couldn't find a manual for my vintage. There is a scavenger system to recover the oil and return it to the tank but it can't keep up. The result is oil leaks out thru the starter and I don't need to tell you the outcome of that battle. We have removed all the spools and inching valve from the control valve, inspected cleaned and re installed. Adjusted the scavenger scoop for maximum recovery. No smoking gun discovered. This oil buildup problem appears to take place whether in neutral or operating in either direction, idle or operating rpm. We don't identify any faults in the transmission performance or steering system. We have not done any system pressure checks, mostly because I am sure what I would do with the information once I had it. Any knowledgeable suggestions would be appreciated!

It's been about 40 years since I worked on one of those, but we had two of them for a while. I kinda remember something about the bellhousing being "oil bath" or full of oil. I also sort of remember the starter having oil seals in it around the starter drive.
Not sure, it was too long ago.

OFF said:

It's been about 40 years since I worked on one of those, but we had two of them for a while. I kinda remember something about the bellhousing being "oil bath" or full of oil. I also sort of remember the starter having oil seals in it around the starter drive.
Not sure, it was too long ago.

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at
Clark Eqpt had several models that ran "wet" bell housings. Starters were sealed on drive.
Check back to when this started and if you had replaced the starter. May be wrong one.
If unsure due to circumstances, might be worth getting a proper part number from Hyster, then getting a proper rebuilt. Or just pull it and take to a local rebuilder to dis assemble and replace seal.

Thanks for your replies!
I did take the after market starter to one of the local rebuild shops, they opened it up and verified all the seals were in place. I agree that I am probably going to have to try an OEM replacement to verify if it is starter quality issue or hydraulic system problem. We have had this machine a long time, replaced a lot of starters along the way, just seems worse know than in the past. We have run some pressure checks and all come in with in spec.

brwesi said:

Thanks for your replies!
I did take the after market starter to one of the local rebuild shops, they opened it up and verified all the seals were in place. I agree that I am probably going to have to try an OEM replacement to verify if it is starter quality issue or hydraulic system problem. We have had this machine a long time, replaced a lot of starters along the way, just seems worse know than in the past. We have run some pressure checks and all come in with in spec.

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All seals in place? But were they good? Looked good?
Years ago I was at a bearing house to get some bearings for a Clark transmission. Counter man (the owner) laid out cups and cones for the number I had given. I told him, I just needed the cones, my cups were good. Really,he said. Sure, I looked at them I said.
He leaned over toward me and said: What are you going to be doing Monday? Working I guess , why? Well he said. I wanted to take you up to Timken's factory. For what, I asked?
He said: "Timken does not have anyone at the factory that can tell if
a bearing is good or not, by looking at it."
I will always remember that and some time let it guide my purchases.

All the seals are on the starter they are in place and the starter is new. Starter shop verified they were correct.

brwesi said:

All the seals are on the starter they are in place and the starter is new. Starter shop verified they were correct.

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Good to know. Eliminates the seals. Does it use/have a gasket starter to bell housing?
Still pondering why it leaks there rather than popping a hose end somewhere.