Oil filler cap came off...ever happen to you?

MuncyBob · Jun 12, 2019

Man, what a mess! Was cutting the grass last night and when parking her in the garage I noticed oil splatter on the engine cage cover. inside the cage oil everywhere! Pulled the dipstick and nothing on it. I hope I didn't do any engine damage! I have no idea how long it was running full speed with low oil level. Looks like tonight I'll be pulling the hydraulic cooler to clean out the fins(will this require bleeding the line) and may as well change the oil since I really can't make any more of a mess than is already there!

Now part of my pre ignition routine I'll be checking that cap!

oosik · Jun 12, 2019

Where my tractor is parked - in a large carport stall - was pretty level. I thought. The hydraulic oil showed a quart low on the dipstick. I added a quart and started down the driveway.

Got about 100 feet and heard a loud "POP". Stopped everything and started checking. The fill plug was gone and the hydraulic oil showed over full on the dipstick. Got my carpenters level and saw that the tractor was now sitting level.

I had overfilled and the pressure had blown the fill plug. Luckily, I found the fill plug( it's just an orange plastic plug) - removed the excess hydraulic oil with my rose gun - all was then well.

All of my 3-point was well lubed with hydraulic oil. As I remember - took four shop towels to wipe it all down. Fortunately - all the hydraulic oil created a puddle in my gravel driveway - not back on the lawn.

MuncyBob · Jun 12, 2019

The plug on these engines is threaded. I guess it unscrewed itself from vibration?

oosik · Jun 12, 2019

My plugs are plastic. Transmission heat & pressure were no match for plastic threads. Perhaps it might even be considered a safety feature. If something has to blow - rather it be the fill plug than a seal somewhere. In retrospect, it must not have been a lot of pressure. It did not blow the transmission dip stick out of its hole.

MossRoad · Jun 13, 2019

Farmall140 said:
Man, what a mess! Was cutting the grass last night and when parking her in the garage I noticed oil splatter on the engine cage cover. inside the cage oil everywhere! Pulled the dipstick and nothing on it. I hope I didn't do any engine damage! I have no idea how long it was running full speed with low oil level. Looks like tonight I'll be pulling the hydraulic cooler to clean out the fins(will this require bleeding the line) and may as well change the oil since I really can't make any more of a mess than is already there!

Now part of my pre ignition routine I'll be checking that cap!

This was your engine oil filler cap on the Robin engine?

cqaigy2 · Jun 13, 2019

I wouldn't pull the hydraulic cooler, unless you absolutely have to. Maybe spray some simple green on it and let it sit a bit?

MuncyBob · Jun 14, 2019

MossRoad said:
This was your engine oil filler cap on the Robin engine?

Yes. For the life of me I cannot understand how it worked itself out. When I tighten the plug it takes a bit of force to loosen it.

Got things cleaned up yesterday. The cooler wasn't as bad as it initially looked. Used up several rags and some degreaser to get everything cleaned up. Off to get some oil today and start her up again. Based on the amount of oil I drained last night I think the wear on the engine with low oil should be minimal.

I have some oil filters that I must have labeled incorrectly. Thought they were PT oil filters but after 20 minutes of cursing when they wouldn't thread I realized the problem. Now to figure out what they belong to!