Is a loose oil dipstick a problem?

KYKub · Sep 27, 2015

I recently acquired a second G1900S. Love the G1900 and bought the second one sight unseen as a parts mower; turns out, it's a fine machine also so now I'm using it and giving it some attention rather than just parking it until I need to rob parts (or until I sell them both and move up to a BX or B series).

Anyway, I notice the oil dipstick in the tractor is loose. It doesn't seat in the port like most dipsticks on mowers, tractors, cars, etc. The dipstick has the rubber boot on it, it just doesn't fit tightly. Oil doesn't spew from the port, and I don't notice any symptoms but I wonder if it might cause problems with oil pressure? I mow a sloped yard so it seems that oil pressure is especially important.

Most of you guys are using larger tractors, but it seems the principle is the same regardless of the type or size of engine.

Thanks for any assistance! Jeff

sailorman · Sep 27, 2015

Just a thought . If the two machines are the same, have you tried the dip stick from the one that fits on the one that doesn 't fit ? Do the two sticks look the same ? Maybe a previous owner substituted a not fitting stick . If they did, you might not get a correct oil level reading .

Unfortunately I can 't say whether or not poor fitting will matter .

Wolfy · Sep 27, 2015

As long as the dipstick is not separating, it should be fine. But Id get a new one, if I could.

KYKub · Sep 27, 2015

Thanks Wolfy and Sailorman. You might have prevented a catastrophe! I checked and the dipsticks are identical, but noticed the rubber stop on the one I'm concerned about was a couple of inches higher on the dipstick. That is, the metal dipstick was sliding farther into the oil pan; therefore, it was indicating more oil than it should have. After using the known "good" dipstick to calibrate the position of the rubber stop, the oil wasn't even reaching the bottom of the dipstick! I probably ram it two hours or so around 1 or 1.5 quarts low. Hopefully no damage done, but I would not have thought to check it without your responses. Thank you! Jeff