Oil & Fuel B3200 Oil Consumption Issue........

[gltrap54]

Bought my B3200 new, some 6-7 years ago & have compiled about 360 hours on the clock, most of that mowing.......... First diesel tractor I've owned, so please bear with me........ My question........ About every 75 hours or so, it will be low (6-8ounces) on oil. I'm using Kubota's 15w40, but I'm reading that they have changed their manual recommendation......... Anyone here have an oil consumption issue?

 

[KubotaToy]

Of course any engine can use oil but has it been doing it since new? If not, I would search the world over to see if you have a small leak somewhere. If it is using 1/4 of a quart every 75, well, that is less than a quart for every oil change (based on 200 hr service), that is not a lot.

I have had several Kubota's, none used oil, several leaked oil. If I did the math correct, your rate is only 1 drop of oil a minute, should be visible if it is a leak but it is not by a lot.

BTW- I hate oil leaks, I search them out with a vengeance. I wash my equipment often and clean the shop floor before parking them to see if I have leaks.

 

[tractorworks]

Don't remember which one but had a tractor that did not like to be full. Every time I checked seemed to be down a about 1/3 of a quart. Finally stopped topping it off and it stayed at same level. I'd keep and eye on it and run it low.

 

[Ford850]

Low, as in below the "low" indication on the dipstick? If the oil level is between the low and the high marks on the dipstick, it does not need oil.

 

[Baby Grand]

Do you have the tractor parked in the same spot & in the same orientation when you check the oil level?
Do you consistently check the oil level after the engine has been off long enough for the oil in the head and oil galleys to drain back into the sump?
Just trying to eliminate a few variables that I have found affect the oil level reading on the dipstick.
-Jim

 

[Gary Fowler]

I can remember back in the 60's and 70's that any diesel tractor made at the time would use a quart or two per day (depending on the size of engine) under heavy load. It was standard to start the day by checking the oil and adding a quart or two. Things have changed to the point now that folks think that engines should not use a drop of oil between changes. My Kubota B26 will use about 1/2 quart between yearly changes (around 100 hours) which is acceptable for me.

 

[sixdogs]

Do you have the tractor parked in the same spot & in the same orientation when you check the oil level?
Do you consistently check the oil level after the engine has been off long enough for the oil in the head and oil galleys to drain back into the sump?
Just trying to eliminate a few variables that I have found affect the oil level reading on the dipstick.
-Jim

Great point. When I check oil in the trucks, especially after a change I can get different readings depending on how long I wait and if I wiped the dipstick prior to inserting it. The method I settled on is to wipe the dipstick, insert it and let the vehicle or tractor sit overnight. It works for me.

 

[gltrap54]

Of course any engine can use oil but has it been doing it since new? If not, I would search the world over to see if you have a small leak somewhere. If it is using 1/4 of a quart every 75, well, that is less than a quart for every oil change (based on 200 hr service), that is not a lot.

I have had several Kubota's, none used oil, several leaked oil. If I did the math correct, your rate is only 1 drop of oil a minute, should be visible if it is a leak but it is not by a lot.

BTW- I hate oil leaks, I search them out with a vengeance. I wash my equipment often and clean the shop floor before parking them to see if I have leaks.

Yup, this has been the pattern since new........ It's parked in my heated shop on concrete, so I'm thinking I'd see a leak either on the concrete or perhaps the undercarriage...... :thumbsup:

 

[gltrap54]

Don't remember which one but had a tractor that did not like to be full. Every time I checked seemed to be down a about 1/3 of a quart. Finally stopped topping it off and it stayed at same level. I'd keep and eye on it and run it low.

This could be my solution....... Bit **** here....... Tend to over think some issues..... Have never actually seen it below a 1/3 of a quart low.... LOL.....

Low, as in below the "low" indication on the dipstick? If the oil level is between the low and the high marks on the dipstick, it does not need oil.

Never below the low indicator, just a 1/3 of a quart below top notch on dip stick.....

Do you have the tractor parked in the same spot & in the same orientation when you check the oil level?
Do you consistently check the oil level after the engine has been off long enough for the oil in the head and oil galleys to drain back into the sump?
Just trying to eliminate a few variables that I have found affect the oil level reading on the dipstick.
-Jim

Yup, always try to check it cold to be sure there are no variables.....

I can remember back in the 60's and 70's that any diesel tractor made at the time would use a quart or two per day (depending on the size of engine) under heavy load. It was standard to start the day by checking the oil and adding a quart or two. Things have changed to the point now that folks think that engines should not use a drop of oil between changes. My Kubota B26 will use about 1/2 quart between yearly changes (around 100 hours) which is acceptable for me.

Knowing this makes me feel a little better about my situation.......... I'm probably stewing over nothing......

 

[davesl708]

My BX uses maybe 3-4 oz. in 200hrs. I have 1370hrs on it.
6 to 8 oz. per 75hrs seems a bit much. That is over one quart per change cycle. If there are no visible leaks then the loss is internal. A compression test can help locate a source of the oil getting into the combustion chamber (valve guide, rings, valve seat). Probably not worth the cost of solving the problem with so few hours on the engine.
If it gets worse probably should look closer.

 

[gltrap54]

My BX uses maybe 3-4 oz. in 200hrs. I have 1370hrs on it.
6 to 8 oz. per 75hrs seems a bit much. That is over one quart per change cycle. If there are no visible leaks then the loss is internal. A compression test can help locate a source of the oil getting into the combustion chamber (valve guide, rings, valve seat). Probably not worth the cost of solving the problem with so few hours on the engine.
If it gets worse probably should look closer.

Hey neighbor! I could be off a bit as far as oil usage is concerned because I haven't payed close attention to the hours vs oil consumption...... Like you say, with 360 hours one would not suspect internal problems........

 

[davesl708]

Hey neighbor! I could be off a bit as far as oil usage is concerned because I haven't payed close attention to the hours vs oil consumption...... Like you say, with 360 hours one would not suspect internal problems........

Hi gltrap54. Topeka is my old home town.
My thoughts were if it has been consuming that much since new maybe a valve guide did not get seated correctly or the rings may not have broke in properly. If no viz sign of leaking would probably be consuming the oil. A compression test will show one cylinder with less compression and a place to start looking internally.

 

[Ford850]

Never below the low indicator, just a 1/3 of a quart below top notch on dip stick.....

As long as it is not below the lower/low notch, I would not add oil. I'll bet it doesn't drop below that comfort point that it settles to, between the High and Low marks.
I checked my Kubota engine manual as a reference. It shows an image of a dipstick, showing the high and low marks. It states "Engine oil level within this range is proper".
I know some vehicle manufactures warn against topping off, or trying to keep the oil level at the High mark. As long as it stays above Low, it is fine.