Help- is my Scag a Scag?

[frigman]

Before I start my Scag (21 HP Kawasaki FH 641V style engine) I check the oil level. Each time it is overfull (sometimes by as much as 2/3 overfull). Could a plugged air cleaner cause too much gas to be sucked in and to the crankcase through the emissions pathway or possibly that the fuel shutoff is not shutting off and during shut down that the gas is siphoning into the engine? Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Ifixcars]

I don't understand. You mean the machine is making its own oil? How does the level increase if you don't put more in it? If you start with a cold motor, unscrew the dipstick, clean it, then put the stick back in without screwing it in, where is the level on the stick? Does the oil smell like gas? Do you use the gas tank shut off? Will the level increase after you adust it to the correct level?

 

[Bird]

Frigman, you may need to provide a little more detail. Many years ago I had a walk behind lawnmower with a Tecumseh engine and a very small yard. I could mow twice, then had to change oil because the crankcase would be over full with gasoline going into the crankcase. A dealer told me the only solution would be a new engine, so I just bought another lawnmower with a different brand of engine. In more recent times I had a similar problem with a Briggs & Stratton engine and simply replaced the carburetor which corrected the problem.

 

[mark1]

My ole cub cadet 1450 will do the same sometimes when its not running, the gas goes from the tank,thru the carb.and what dosen't drip out the air filter gets into the oil.I just turn off the fuel tank shutoff when not in use.(Carbs cost toooooo much)

 

[Fordlords]

The resident Scag expert has obviously not seen this post and shined in with his warm humbleness that Scag mowers just could never possibly have any problems

But in all seriousness, two things would have to occur for the oil level to be overfilled if it is gasoline. The fuel shutoff solenoid would have to be leaking, AND the carburetor float needle would have to be leaking too- not likely for those scenerios to occur at once, and if it were 2/3 orverfilled by gasoline you would definitely notice performance problems during use after restarting, plus an oil sample would likely wreak of gasoline.

Most likely? You don't have a problem which will surely please the Scag expert. Check the oil after running for a few minutes with the engine warmed up when the oil is at its warm operating viscosity and has fully filled the oil filter housing. What you are likely seeing is oil draining back from the filter in to the crankcase which is causing the erroneous before-start oil level reading.

-Fordlords-

 

[XmasTreeGrower]

Frigman

Try wiping off the dipstick and re-inserting it when cold.

My Honda motors read the same way, but as soon as I wipe the dipstick off, and re-insert it, I get an accurate reading.

Have no good speculation on what causes this, other than the possibilty of a slight vacuum that could develop in the dipstick tube as the motor cools down from previous use.

If you do have a leaking fuel situation, you'll be able to smell it on the dipstick.

Good luck!

Thanks
Bill