Running GT235 with minimal oil

[Trev]

Howdy,

My next door neighbor bought a new GT235 about a year ago. I know this isn't a forum for Garden tractors, but perhaps it's a general enough question that it isn't too far O.T.

Here is what he just wrote to me:

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I made a huge mistake last night. I checked the oil and put the dipstick back in, however, I must have not put it on right because it worked its way off and I didn't know it until it the oil pressure indicator came on. There was oil everywhere. I cleaned it up, but only had about 6 ounces of oil at home and it didn't even register on the dipstick. I parked it and turned the engine off. There was no noises of any kind. I am picking up oil on my lunch hour today and am going to run it for about 1/2 hour or so to make sure it is OK. What I am wondering about is it going to cause any problems down the road and should I trade it before that happens? I really don't have the funds to trade, but won't have the funds for major repairs either. What I have found so far is that these units are bullet proof and seeing that it wasn't smoking, I turned it off rather than the unit shutting down I should be fine. I guess what I am looking for is "Peace of Mind". )</font>

I'm inclined to think he should be fine. What do you guys think?

Thanks,
Bob

 

[beenthere]

I think he will be fine. Bring the oil up and if there are no rod knocking noises, I'd suspect no damage.

He is fortunate to have the oil light to warn of the problem. That is what it is for, to catch the problem before damage happens.

 

[Golfgar4]

I'd agree with Beenthere. It should be alright since he caught it fairly early.

<font color="blue"> ( He is fortunate to have the oil light to warn of the problem. That is what it is for, to catch the problem before damage happens. ) </font>

I've always preferred gauges so that you can monitor the changes as they happen. Usually when the light goes on, it generally means it's already too late! That's why they are often referred to as Idiot lights. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

 

[beenthere]

I agree with you there, with the light vs the gage.

I guess I was thinking that some lawn tractors don't have anything at all, and the light was better than nothing. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[Golfgar4]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I guess I was thinking that some lawn tractors don't have anything at all, and the light was better than nothing. )</font>

And I agree with you on that point too! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Trev]

Thanks everyone!

Golf,

You agree that he caught it early enough, but then add that by the time the light goes on it's usually too late? /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

My buddy added something in a subsequent note.. he said that the light came on flickering and then went out again.. then flickered again, then would come on for 10 seconds and go out again.. and *then* he realized he had a problem. So maybe he didn't catch it as early as I first thought.

In any event, if there are no weird noises is it still likely that he's not done any real damage?

Thanks again,
Bob

 

[Golfgar4]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( You agree that he caught it early enough, but then add that by the time the light goes on it's usually too late? )</font>

Well......um.......yeah, I do.

Notice that I said that it generally means it's too late.

But I get what you're saying. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif