HPX mixing gas and oil

[joes_427_vette]

A relative has a new HPX and it seems to work out well for the farm applications. He has noticed when checking the oil the level is higher and a sample smells alot like gas. The plugs foul out and require changing often. This has happened several times and I'm sure it is not good for the bearings.
I have been told the kawasaki engine does not get hot enough in the cold weather and it causes gas to leak down the cylinders entering the iol pan. A hotter thermostat would work out better but it seems the only one available is a 90 degree fixture.
His last JD Gator had the same problem. Does anyone have a cure for this ? The old cardboard in the radiator trick may cause it to overheat if not caught and do major damage. Looking for a permanent cure. JD dealer said they do not have a problem. I know a local high school had 3 HPXs and got tired of changing plugs in them. Traded all three after 3 seasons.

 

[TOMMYHPX4X4]

well i never had that happen to me and the coldest it has gottin was 24 degrees and believe it of not my radiator fan kicked on at that temp when i was riding around so i know the engine is getting hot enough. now as for as the gas it could be a sticky valve on the intake. i have repaired way to many pressure washer engines that had water in the oil along with gas and the reason was that the intake valve was not closing all the way and it was alowing gas to enter the cylinder through there while it was not being used. now the filed plugs that could be because the one cylinder is fileing up and the other isn't did you notice if it's always one cylinder or both that are filing out the plugs? another thing is the oil will naturaly have a gas smell when it comes out the engine one good way to test it is to drain it out put some on a rag and put a lighter of match to it if there is a high level of gas in it it will fire up fast but if it's normal oil with just a gas smell it won't go up in flames really fast. remember gas breaks down oil so if it was gas drianing into the engine the oil would be broken down so thats another thing to look at does the oil appear to be broken down? now getting back to the spark plugs this is one thing to check the jetting on the carb what altitude are you ?you could have a machine that was supose to be delivered to the south at sea level but acidenly sent to another state and they never rejeted the carb for that climate . so you could be pumping to much gas or not enough gas to the cylinders a fuel injected car or utv doesn't have to worry about that but a carerated car and utv does. i hope some of this helps you out.

 

[Skipholiday]

I read this and contacted my dealer before I posted.
They had never heard of this problem.
I'm on my 3rd gator and have been in below zero temps with no issues.

If this is a new unit, why doesn't he return it?

 

[darkday]

Like tommy metioned at the end of his post if it's running rich it will cause cylinder wash. That can happen on fuel injected cars even, but is very very rare unless you start doing some tuning. Doesn't seem out of the question with a carb though.

Oh yeah I'd also like to mention I've had my diesel gators out in the cold (sub zero at times) with no problem. If the thermostat is doing it's job you should hear the fan kick in on the radiator after running around full throttle for awhile. Even if it just runs very rarely you know you are at least up to normal operating temps.

 

[joes_427_vette]

It is still under warranty and has been returned from the dealer with new oil, filter, and spark plugs. He called the factory rep and is waiting for his response.

 

[Skipholiday]

I suppose to trace this down. You would 1st need to see what all machines have in common.
1. All Kawasaki gas?
2. All John Deere?
3. Location?

Any other similarity's? Are all the above correct?