Brand new GT2544 problems, need help

[MrFoPow]

Yep. 0.8 hours and the oil light came on.

I immediately shut down. Checked the oil on the dipstick and there was barely any in there and it looked watery almost.

Opened the oil fill cap and a little smoke or steam came out for a minute.

Added some oil, and I gues I added too much because it's blowing blue clouds...

So I consult my manual on how to drain the oil. It shows the drain plug just below and to the right of the filter. My drain plug is on the complete other side and buried behind a frame rail with no access from underneath...

How am I supposed to drain this thing? :confused2:

Thanks in advance.

 

[Captain Ned]

There's several threads here complaining about that stupid plastic drain fitting and how best to fix the problem.

In your case, look to see if there's a stopper plug on the filter side of the motor. If so, put the stopper plug on the starter side of the motor. Then build yourself a proper drain out of galvanised pipe & fittings that runs aft of the motor mount plate and elbows down to the ground.

As for draining, the plastic fitting is well-known for draining the crankcase without being asked.

 

[MrFoPow]

Ah, thanks. Got it figured out.


Seems the only problem was the ridiculously thin factory oil my tractor came with.

Drained and refilled with T5 Rotella 10w30 and no problems to report. Mowed for about an hour and no oil light problem.

 

[Captain Ned]

Mowed for about an hour and no oil light problem.

Don't rely on the oil light. Check the oil every time you use the tractor until you've replaced that plastic fitting, then keep checking the oil every time. Our engines run so hot that they always burn oil.

 

[MrFoPow]

Don't rely on the oil light. Check the oil every time you use the tractor until you've replaced that plastic fitting, then keep checking the oil every time.

For sure :thumbsup:

Our engines run so hot that they always burn oil.

You're not kidding. Apparently the factory fill didn't last very long.

The tractor actually ran a bit smoother too with the T5 Rotella.

Anyone running any 40w in theirs yet? Wondering if I should run T6 CJ-4 in summer.

 

[JTKub]

A lot of it might depend on your climate. Mine could go a season and a half and not register any oil usage per the dipstick, nor does my Courage 20hp V-twin. I ran everything in my Command from regular automotive 10w30 to Rotella-T 5w40. I've got 15w40 in my Courage.

I guess I don't understand the whole low oil light and low oil shut-down on these engines. I know the low oil shut-downs are based on a float-switch in the crankcase. If the oil level gets low enough, the float drops and a switch kills ignition to the engine. It's an on or off system.

Joel

 

[CCinCT]

Our engines run so hot that they always burn oil.

5-1/2 years of 4-season use (190 hours) and I've never had any oil consumption.

 

[Captain Ned]

5-1/2 years of 4-season use (190 hours) and I've never had any oil consumption.

Did yours come with a factory-installed oil cooler?

 

[CCinCT]

Did yours come with a factory-installed oil cooler?

No, although I did have the dealer install one when I got to about 100 hours. That was about 2 years after purchase.

If anyone is interested, the parts were about $120, and it took them about 2 hours to install.

 

[Captain Ned]

No, although I did have the dealer install one when I got to about 100 hours. That was about 2 years after purchase.

I'll be installing one before mowing season starts as the engine temps without the cooler are just crazy-high. I also notice in your profile pic that you have the older hood with the top center grille row open whereas my '07/'08 (never have been able to suss that out) has that row closed by a plastic insert.

 

[CCinCT]

I wouldn't worry about the temps. They are designed to run much hotter than back in the day, mostly because of emissions. There are several people who have commented about mowing in 90+ temps all the time and not having any problems. However, like you, I prefer to have a little insurance

Also, I removed that top center plastic cover shortly after I got my tractor. I didn't like the idea of trapping heat under the hood like that, especially when you can remove it so easily. I still have it, and put it on during the winter when I plow driveways.