Oil levels

[sandman2234]

A slight overfill could mean a lot of things to different people. We all know that running an engine over full isn't good for it, but just how much is too much. Each engine as well as each manufacturer is different and the variances of what "slight overfill" is, could mean trouble.
Unless I knew just how much a "slight overfill" was, I would tend to want to lower the level.
David from jax

 

[gsganzer]

A slight overfill could mean a lot of things to different people. We all know that running an engine over full isn't good for it, but just how much is too much. Each engine as well as each manufacturer is different and the variances of what "slight overfill" is, could mean trouble.
Unless I knew just how much a "slight overfill" was, I would tend to want to lower the level.
David from jax

I watched a video of a car engine that had a cut away so they could watch the effects of overfilling. It was pretty dramatic, but they only ran into a true problem when they had severely overfilled it. I'm sure each engine type is different though.

 

[Rockbadchild]

Lots of engines the oil dip stick will pops out and will overflow through there. On a quad I have see going up through the valves and out the airbox.

 

[John0829]

One thing to remember is that the dipsticks are mass produced so there will be variations but the biggest thing to remember is that the oil amount of oil given in the manual is for a DRY engine and there is NO WAY you are going to drain the engine to that level of empty.

 

[dodge man]

If it a 10 quart and it’s a pint high, not a big deal. If it’s a 3 quart system and a quart high, that’s a problem.

 

[sandman2234]

Another thing to consider is if it is the correct dipstick for that unit? I lost the dipstick for my JDeere 2555 and I ordered one from JDeere. It came in, and was not the correct length. (I had found the old one while waiting on the new one to arrive.
I also wonder if the dipstick should be screwed in or not, (if it is one that has threads).
David from jax

 

[WinterDeere]

The oil capacity given in the specs is for a new engine. All the oil never drains our unless the engine is disassembled. Go by the dipstick.

This. All engines retain some oil with each change, this is why they always show a high reading when re-filled according to capacity, and never a low reading.

I can't believe how many people are posting about variability in oil pan capacity or dip stick variations. Do you honestly believe that the error is significant enough to cause these misreadings? And if so, why does the error only ever go in the direction of over-filled, and never under-filled, when refilled to the specified capacity???

It's retention, not variation.

I also wonder if the dipstick should be screwed in or not, (if it is one that has threads).

I hate these, as there's no fully-consistent standard, here. Most manufacturers use the rule of setting the dipstick on the threads, without screwing it in, to get a reading. But I can remember at least one or two cases that used the opposite rule, to screw it home and then unscrew to get a reading. Because of this, I almost always have to grab the machine manual and look it up, as I have at least a half dozen machines with this stupid setup.

 

[sandman2234]

This. All engines retain some oil with each change, this is why they always show a high reading when re-filled according to capacity, and never a low reading.

I can't believe how many people are posting about variability in oil pan capacity or dip stick variations. Do you honestly believe that the error is significant enough to cause these misreadings? And if so, why does the error only ever go in the direction of over-filled, and never under-filled, when refilled to the specified capacity???

It's retention, not variation.


I hate these, as there's no fully-consistent standard, here. Most manufacturers use the rule of setting the dipstick on the threads, without screwing it in, to get a reading. But I can remember at least one or two cases that used the opposite rule, to screw it home and then unscrew to get a reading. Because of this, I almost always have to grab the machine manual and look it up, as I have at least a half dozen machines with this stupid setup.

In the case of this particular JD LT160 with one of a couple engine options, the manual does no good at all. While JDeere says "install" the dipstick, they don't specify if it is screwed in or not. I guess being vague gives them a way out when someone decides they don't like what their mower did when it did whatever!
David from jax

 

[WinterDeere]

In the case of this particular JD LT160 with one of a couple engine options, the manual does no good at all. While JDeere says "install" the dipstick, they don't specify if it is screwed in or not. I guess being vague gives them a way out when someone decides they don't like what their mower did when it did whatever!
David from jax

The JD LT160 uses a Kohler Command CV460S, and Kohler has a nice 148 page manual for that engine. On p.49 it says to rest the dipstick on the threads, but not screw it in, when checking the oil:

https://resources.kohler.com/power/kohler/enginesUS/pdf/tp_2339_d.pdf

This'd be one of those cases I'd be leaving a nice note to myself in Sharpie, on the underside of the hood. I'm terrible at remembering this stuff, but I'm great at leaving myself notes.

 

[sandman2234]

The JD LT160 uses a Kohler Command CV460S, and Kohler has a nice 148 page manual for that engine. On p.49 it says to rest the dipstick on the threads, but not screw it in, when checking the oil:

View attachment 3713364

https://resources.kohler.com/power/kohler/enginesUS/pdf/tp_2339_d.pdf

This'd be one of those cases I'd be leaving a nice note to myself in Sharpie, on the underside of the hood. I'm terrible at remembering this stuff, but I'm great at leaving myself notes.

Thanks WinterDeere! We didn't take the time to search Kohler's website for the engine, although I knew I probably should. I sent the link to my Bride for her to file.
JDeere's manual is only 28 pages and covers not much more than how to crank it!
David from jax