Foton 404 oil level check issue

Wa11banger · Oct 31, 2015

Hello fellow TBNers,
My 404 just about gave me a heart attack this week and this seems to be a new trick up its sleeve.. as I check the oil every time I use it.

Pull the dipstick tuesday and it was bone dry

In disbelief I put it back in, pulled it out again and it was the proper level.. I was relieved and just assume maybe it had walked its way up a little. After all the dipstick is already really short.
Next day same thing, only I made sure it was all the way down before pulling it out this first time.. and of course the oil level was correct on the second check..
The tractor and I have been playing this new game all week.. does anyone else experience this?

I am thinking one of two things, because its so short and near verticle maybe an air pocket gets stuck in there and the oil cant get back to the dipstick after it cools down? Or maybe the oil is very low and i am dragging some up the tube on the first pull so it reads inaccurately full on the second check?

The tractor is running great with no odd noises, it has always had an ever so slight smoke coming out of the exhaust but I have never used any oil so I thought it was perhaps running slightly rich. I am at a loss as to how it learned this new trick.. I have always stored it in the same place and am using the same oil I have always used. Perplexing to say the least

abyss · Nov 6, 2015

G'day Wa11banger,
My Enfly 554 does the same thing and I have owned cars that do it also.
I don't think it is anything to worry about.

cleat · Nov 6, 2015

Most of my small engines with dipsticks do the opposite. I pull the stick and wait a minute or two for the oil to run back down the dipstick tube then get a real level.

Cleat

Wa11banger · Nov 9, 2015

Thanks for the replies guys.. But its still 50/50 lol.. I do appreciate ya'lls input. I tend to agree with you abyss I am pretty sure its not a big deal. We have a ton of knowledgeable people here and many of them with the exact details of why's things are the way they are

I will keep an eye on it for sure because I am still not certain.
Thanks again guys

lej · Nov 22, 2015

I've got 404 with the 490bt motor and so far haven't had that issue. The only thing I've noticed is when using the hoe attachment or log splitter with the remote locked on my oil level will slightly rise. I have to be getting a little hydraulic fluid bypass.

Chris D · Feb 10, 2016

Wa11banger said:
Hello fellow TBNers,
My 404 just about gave me a heart attack this week and this seems to be a new trick up its sleeve.. as I check the oil every time I use it.

Pull the dipstick tuesday and it was bone dry
In disbelief I put it back in, pulled it out again and it was the proper level.. I was relieved and just assume maybe it had walked its way up a little. After all the dipstick is already really short.
Next day same thing, only I made sure it was all the way down before pulling it out this first time.. and of course the oil level was correct on the second check..
The tractor and I have been playing this new game all week.. does anyone else experience this?

I am thinking one of two things, because its so short and near verticle maybe an air pocket gets stuck in there and the oil cant get back to the dipstick after it cools down? Or maybe the oil is very low and i am dragging some up the tube on the first pull so it reads inaccurately full on the second check?

The tractor is running great with no odd noises, it has always had an ever so slight smoke coming out of the exhaust but I have never used any oil so I thought it was perhaps running slightly rich. I am at a loss as to how it learned this new trick.. I have always stored it in the same place and am using the same oil I have always used. Perplexing to say the least

My Foton 404 does the same and has for 7 years. When I have eventually drained the oil, the correct volume is in the sump. It's a good little tractor by the way.

redman135 · Feb 10, 2016

This sounds like the old saki rollers. You always dipped twice and read the second , as the first reading was bone dry.

cleat · Feb 10, 2016

Most of my small engines are the opposite, the dipstick tube seems to fill up with oil so you need to pull the dipstick, wait a minute or two then reinsert and get a proper reading.

My Dongfeng has no dipstick tube and the dipstick simply plugs straight into the engine block so I have never had an issue with it.

Oh well, as long as you really have enough oil you are good.

Cleat

Wa11banger · Feb 10, 2016

Thanks for the confirmations all. I agree Chris, it is a great tractor! I know I have put it through some paces and it always comes out tops. I finally got rid of the original two six volt batteries that came with it and now run a single 12volt. I also did an oil change and measured what came out. It was the correct volume give or take a few ounces (it was really windy and I had wisps missing the oil pan.). parts are affordable, I haven't really needed any broken parts per se but OEM stuff like the shifter boots and the upper arm seals I have replaced and they were reasonably priced.

hagrant · Mar 17, 2016

Good to know, I have a 454 foton...498 BT engine and mine does the same thing. Im still trying to figure out this tractor so good to read the posts. I can't seem to find where my drain plug is on the transmission lol.