# Hydraulic Cylinder Leak First Checks

Separate external seal leaks, fitting leaks, hose damage, and internal bypass symptoms.

## Outcome
Describe a cylinder leak clearly before ordering parts or disassembling equipment.

## Safe first step
Depressurize and make the equipment safe before inspection.

## Ladder steps
### 1. Make it safe
Learn to make it safe as one discrete move in the project path.

Check: You can explain or demonstrate: make it safe.

### 2. Locate external wetness
Learn to locate external wetness as one discrete move in the project path.

Check: You can explain or demonstrate: locate external wetness.

### 3. Check fittings and hoses
Learn to check fittings and hoses as one discrete move in the project path.

Check: You can explain or demonstrate: check fittings and hoses.

### 4. Watch drift symptoms
Learn to watch drift symptoms as one discrete move in the project path.

Check: You can explain or demonstrate: watch drift symptoms.

## Examples
### Practice visual inspection after cleaning
```sh
Visual inspection after cleaning
```
Expected signal: A visible result you can compare before moving on

### Practice mark suspected leak point
```sh
Mark suspected leak point
```
Expected signal: A visible result you can compare before moving on

### Practice observe cylinder drift unloaded
```sh
Observe cylinder drift unloaded
```
Expected signal: A visible result you can compare before moving on

## Common traps
- Putting hands near pressurized leaks.
- Replacing a cylinder before checking fittings.
- Assuming all drift is an external leak.

## Practice task
Create a small practice case for hydraulic cylinder leak first checks and write what each step proves before moving to the next one.

## Next steps
- Download the Obsidian note.
- Review the Anki cards.
- Pick one related ladder and do the practice task.

## Related
- [Browse topic clusters](/topics/)
- [All learning ladders](/learn/)