[jeepattack89]

Been using my jd 425 to plow driveway this winter and had not checked the oil in a while so I was surprised to see that the oil was a light milky color and overfilled. I checked my antifreeze reservoir and was a little under low level. The oil on the dip stick was about 3 " over the full mark. Is anti-freeze getting into my oil or water? My oil filler cap does have a crack in it but on the inside the crack does not show so I don't think water could be getting in through there. The tractor is always kept outside but covered, is there anyway condensation could of added that much water in the oil? Has been a little been about 2 years since oil was changed but I always checked it and it was full and the color looked good. Should I just change the oil and filter and see what happens or do I have something major wrong. The day before when I was plowing with the tractor it started to pop and skip like it had water in the gas. It stalled but when I started it back up it ran perfect. I don't know if that was related or not but wanted to mention it. I hope nothing major has happened inside like a blown head gasket or simular any help would be great.

 

[bvp2000]

Start by changing the oil and filter, then run it some and check it.

 

[farmer69]

Sounds like a head gasket is letting prestone leak into the oil. Time to tear it down and find out why. I wouldn't waste money on oil change at this time.

 

[k91]

I'm betting it is condensation from sitting outside and not being run for long or very often. We used to run into that alot with our display units. Its overdue for an oil change anyways so follow BVP's advice and let us know what happens :fing32:

 

[Small Fry]

It sounds like antifreeze in the oil. 3" up the stick sounds like to much for
condensation. Never had a deer but lots of GM's with that problem.

Changing the oil to make sure your not out that much.

 

[JRJ]

I would do a pressure test of the cooling system first and then you will have a better idea which way to go.

Dicl

 

[beabruin]

You are overdue for an oil change. I agree, a pressure test of the radiator/cooling system will you an idea if you have a leaky radiator, or a problem with the head gasket. It is not going to hurt to change the oil. However, you do need to keep an eye on it as well as the coolant to see where your problem is. It sounds like more than just condensation to me.

 

[WNYTractorTinkerer]

The Water pump seal is a usual culprit on these engines.. (leaks water directly into the crankcase) So have you refilled the cooling system a few times & lost fluid a lot? A 3 inch rise in oil level is a bout 1/2 quart or more.. Pull the plugs and verify the plugs arent squeaky clean as water in the cylinder will clean things up nicely..

If they are OK:
A pressure test will raise your oil/water level I'll bet.. Check the oil level, pressurize and recheck to see if it came up more..

:goodl::trink40:

 

[Dude11]

I'm thinking you shouldn't run it either,until it's fixed.With that much water in it,there's a chance you could either toss a rod or cease some rings.

 

[rabbitking61]

Sounds to me like water in the oil. Do not run it till fixed. Had the same thing with an old WD AC. It would take to many years for that much condensation.

 

[Harryc]

It would take to many years for that much condensation.

:ditto::ditto:

 

[Cementhead]

The Water pump seal is a usual culprit on these engines.. (leaks water directly into the crankcase) So have you refilled the cooling system a few times & lost fluid a lot? A 3 inch rise in oil level is a bout 1/2 quart or more.. Pull the plugs and verify the plugs arent squeaky clean as water in the cylinder will clean things up nicely..

If they are OK:
A pressure test will raise your oil/water level I'll bet.. Check the oil level, pressurize and recheck to see if it came up more..

:goodl::trink40:

WNYT that is my best guess also first place I would look.

 

[blackfoot1]

That sounds like too much overfilled to be condensation. Water in oil is my guess.

 

[jeepattack89]

I have never had to add anti-freeze or oil ever. I just don't want to do any harm to my engine and am wondering if I should change the oil and filter and top off the coolant reservoir and run it and keep an eye on the oil and coolant levels. Or take it to the jd dealer. I do remember seeing just a tad of the milky color on the mid point in of the dip stick in the the fall but non in the oil itself. I wiped the stick put it back in and it looked ok so I just thought that was condensation now I don't know. If 3" overfull is = two a quart then that has me wondering because the coolant level in the reservoir is only a little under the low level and I have never added coolant. I pulled off the radiator cap to maker sure the radiator was full and it overflowed over the radiator when I loosened the cap so its full. So how could that much have gotten in the oil? I made a mistake when I checked my records the last oil change was almost 3 years ago! Can't believe I have not changed it. I just forgot I guess.

 

[farmer69]

I would not kick myself to hard over not changing the oil for 3 years. It probably is not advisable, but if everything is working ok I don't think it would really cause any harm. If you are sure there is water or prestone in it I would get it looked at. 3" sounds like a lot of condensation unless you have rain water getting in. That would be hard to imagine if the hoods are in place.

 

[Engine_Tech]

It's not the cooling system or anything major I suspect. But, both are more likely due to how you are using it right now.

Condensation will make the milky oil. You are not working it hard enough to get it hot enough to boil the water off. Common winter finding.

The raised oil level is probably due to you not running it hard enough to burn off the gas that gets past the rings. Or, excessive idling is making it run rich and thus fuel getting into the oil.

Kawasaki L/C v-twins are well known to "make oil" if not run at full throttle or under load.

Change the oil and filter and keep an eye on it.

 

[Jere39]

When you read the dipstick, are you reading 3" high of milky liquid oil, or is it possible you are reading 3" of foamy liquid that high. I'd like to hope you have less than 3" of liquid, and as others have suggested, a little too much condensation, not enough running to clear it out, and a frothy mix of oil and water bubbles pushing up your dipstick. If it were mine, and I had access to a garage, preferrably with a heater, I'd change the oil and filter, add just enough to the radiator overflow to set it on "Low" reading. Then do some light load running, enough to get it up to temperature so thermostat opens. Then shut it down, let it cool, and check both fluids again. If you read low radiator overflow, or have oil level rising on your dipstick, then you probably have a gasket problem. Water pump is a good guess. Go for the cooling system pressure check. You decide if your dealer or you are better equiped to make the diagnosis and ultimate repairs.

Hope it is just a combination of cold storage, condensation, and a milky froth giving you an exaggerated dipstick reading.

 

[Nouveau Redneck]

It might still be coolant in the oil even if the coolant level in the radiator is only a little low. Water in the crankcase oil will cause the water and oil to foam when it mixes so the oil/water mixture will appear to gain more volume than the radiator loses. The foaming is also what causes the "milky" coloration. If you let it sit for a day or 2 without running it, the air bubbles should work their way out and the level will go down to a level that is more consistent with what is missing from the radiator. There could also be air pockets in the cooling system in the engine that could account for the discrepancy as well.

 

[jeepattack89]

I checked the oil today after not running it and its about 2" over cold. I do let the tractor idle for a long time before using it because my controls to run my bucket are always froze and letting it idle warms the hydro fluid enough to unthaw the controls so it can raise and lower the bucket. Around 15 mins or so before I start using it. I going to change the oil and filter and top of the coolant reservoir on low and just run it some and then check the levels. I am going to order the parts and try that 1st I guess. If there is any raise in the oil or color change or drop in coolant level then I will have to bring it the dealer. I hope it turns out to be nothing major. I should change the plugs and gas filter too, maybe air filter?

 

[Harryc]

I should change the plugs and gas filter too, maybe air filter?

Yes, every year.