Measuring Oil Level

billyk72 · Jun 3, 2014

I posted elsewhere and it was probably the wrong sub-forum. Hope there's some feedback here!

I have a new JD D140 and when I measure the oil cold it's lower than when I measure 10 minutes after it was running. This is opposite from every engine that I've owned. In fact, when I put the required 2 qts in during the first oil change at 8 hours of use, it measured at "Low" on the dipstick (after running it and letting it sit overnight). If the capacity is 2 qts, and if the manual says measure when cold, shouldn't it measure at "Full" on the dipstick when cold? Not "Low"?

I'd sure like to hear from the gurus here.

prosperity · Jun 4, 2014

I'm really OCD about oil levels and checking them. When I am changing the oil in anything, I never rely only on the capacity given in the manual - only as a guide. If for example I was changing the oil in your small tractor that takes 2 quarts, I would put 1 1/2-1 3/4 quarts in. Then start it to get the oil to flow and shut it down and let it sit for 15 minutes. Then I will slowly add small amounts of oil while checking the dip stick to get it exactly where I want it. Then I always check the oil when cold with the tractor in the same position.

Case and point - I've always changed the oil in my pick-up, but due to some recent physical limitations, I have to take it to the dealer now for service. I knew they would just dump the 7 quarts in. Whenever I did it myself it always took 1/4 quart shy of the 7 quarts to have the oil on the dipstick 3/4 up on the hash marks. Well just as I thought when I checked the oil the next day - the level is above the hash marks at at the hole in the dipstick that is the overfill mark.

billyk72 · Jun 4, 2014

Thanks Stan. I am a bit OCD myself with this stuff. I figured I'd be ok by checking the oil level when it's stone cold. I was just thrown a bit when I was seeing *higher* levels 10 minutes after running it. I don't ever like seeing readings that are beyond the Full mark.

Texasmark · Jun 6, 2014

Only thing I can think of is that oil gets trapped in the area of the DS after running. Might run some tests, just for grins of like immediately, 5, 10, 15 minutes later and see if it goes back to normal.

Other thing I discovered is that some engines like with my Honda, they have you check the oil with the cap threaded in completely, while an older Kohler with the threaded cap is checked with the cap just sitting on the tube, no thread engagement. Owners manual tells you which to use. A BS I have just has a slotted cap which is a slot and quarter turn for lock. It's easy, just put it in the slot and it falls down to the right height.

Mark

billyk72 · Jun 6, 2014

Thanks Mark. I'll try the incremental idea.

My current JD tractor requires that you screw the oil cap on a quarter turn to lock it down when measuring.

Thanks again for the feedback.

msb1766 · Jun 6, 2014

When I get anything with an engine small or large when I do the first oil change I do what what Prosperity does and then I use a
label maker and print out exactly how much oil it takes along with the date and hours of next oil change and sometimes the oil viscosity. So next time it is alot easier to look at the label and fill. I know I have alot of engines to maintain and I bet you guys do to.
Here is the label maker I use:DYMO LabelManager 260D Label Maker

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