[RogerASki]

In addition to my post of October 2021 - 1996 Murray the issue of the mower moving slow still remains.
I decided to cut an opening in the mower frame under the battery. This will enable me easy access to the trans reservoir cap. I completed this today.
Upon opening the cap I saw what appears to be a solid material like dirt. The tiny hole in the cap was plugged but easily opened with canned air!
I was really expecting to see a low level of oil but found the “dirt” instead. I have not attempted to try and remove (vacuum) it yet pending any advice I receive from the forum.
Has anyone seen this before and offer any suggestions?
Thanks so much,
Ski

 

[PA318Guy]

In addition to my post of October 2021 - 1996 Murray the issue of the mower moving slow still remains.
I decided to cut an opening in the mower frame under the battery. This will enable me easy access to the trans reservoir cap. I completed this today.
Upon opening the cap I saw what appears to be a solid material like dirt. The tiny hole in the cap was plugged but easily opened with canned air!
I was really expecting to see a low level of oil but found the “dirt” instead. I have not attempted to try and remove (vacuum) it yet pending any advice I receive from the forum.
Has anyone seen this before and offer any suggestions?
Thanks so much,
Ski View attachment 2542668 View attachment 2542669 View attachment 2542670

View attachment 2542678 View attachment 2542679 View attachment 2542680

You will want to put a cover on there to keep dirt/grass from under the fender from coming up through.

 

[RogerASki]

You will want to put a cover on there to keep dirt/grass from under the fender from coming up through.

Thanks! Planning to. Have you seen this before?

 

[PA318Guy]

Thanks! Planning to. Have you seen this before?

No, sorry but not familiar with those machines.

 

[RogerASki]

Had some success. As you can see by the photos the dirt was captured by the plastic cup gasket under cap. Dirt must have accumulated over 20 years through the breather hole. I could not find a fill level mark inside the reservoir so I just added a little at a time. Just 8 oz of 20w-50w oil. Put everything back and ran it!! 4 mph out of the gate. Ran so much better!!
Next step will be to drain oil, measure, and refill. It will be trial and error on level in reservoir unless someone who knows posts!
Thanks for all the support.