That is likely water in the oil. I would change it, maybe twice and see if it comes back. Maybe it was left out in the rain?
Muddy Looking Oil
Hey all, we just bought a used Gravely 252Z, with a basically new engine. It only has about 50 hours on it.
Now, the first thing I noticed was the colour; take a look and give me your thoughts. Is this normal? Looks kinda muddy to me. I don't have the maintenance history of this engine either...
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Now, the first thing I noticed was the colour; take a look and give me your thoughts. Is this normal? Looks kinda muddy to me. I don't have the maintenance history of this engine either...
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Thanks @poncho62. That would explain the colour?That is likely water in the oil. I would change it, maybe twice and see if it comes back. Maybe it was left out in the rain?
The oil did seem pretty thin. At first I was thinking that it might be gas, but that doesn't make sense considering how much it was over-filled as you can see
I don't know who would have left this thing out in the rain, but it's hard to trust dealers these days 😅
If it was overfilled...it definitely not only could be gas in it, but most likely it is gas...can you smell gas in it?
If it is gas your needle valve is letting it pass through....definitely drain it and replace the oil and filter before running it and check the needle valve
If it is gas your needle valve is letting it pass through....definitely drain it and replace the oil and filter before running it and check the needle valve
I seem to think that I smell a bit of gas in it, but it's hard to tell. It's also hard for me to believe that a basically new engine is having carb problems, but who knows.If it was overfilled...it definitely not only could be gas in it, but most likely it is gas...can you smell gas in it?
If it is gas your needle valve is letting it pass through....definitely drain it and replace the oil and filter before running it and check the needle valve
It also doesn't smoke, or flood out on startup.
Ethanol gas can be hard on carbs..the tips on most needles is non metalic and the gas eats them, causing them to allow gas to pass through
Okay, so I think what I'm going to do, is change the oil, fill it to the right level, and leave it parked inside. Then I know for sure that it's not water, and if the level rises again by itself, then I know that it would likely be gas.Ethanol gas can be hard on carbs..the tips on most needles is non metalic and the gas eats them, causing them to allow gas to pass through
That make sense?
Sometimes so much gas gets into the oil that it comes out the exhaust onto the floor when left unattended, so you would be taking that chance
Another thing to check is the fuel cap vent. If the vent is not venting pressure out, it will cause fuel to be forced into the carburetor and blow by the float needle and seat, causing it to flood the oil with gas like that.
Thanks @ST1100A , I hadn't thought of that! Guess it's time to do some experiments...Another thing to check is the fuel cap vent. If the vent is not venting pressure out, it will cause fuel to be forced into the carburetor and blow by the float needle and seat, causing it to flood the oil with gas like that.
Well, something is getting in there. Never trust what an PO did, used old oil jugs, who knows but get rid of that stuff asap. Drain it, new filter and see if it returns. If it returns, the only real possibilty is gas.
Hi everyone, thanks for the replies. It's been a few days since I changed the oil and I have answers.
I haven't run the machine too much yet, but it looks like the level of the oil is staying pretty constant. However, it was still going that muddy colour... My boss (who bought this machine) went back to the dealer and talked about it, and he said that it is totally normal. What's happening, according to him (the dealer), is that the oil is simply going foamy from not getting up to temperature. We only ran it for a few minutes to get it onto the trailer, and then again to get it into the workshop. This engine does also have an oil cooler, though he said that has nothing to do with it.
I had had a very close look at the oil, and it did seem to have the appearance of tiny bubbles in it. So we ran it for a little longer, and voila! The colour started to disappear.
I will continue to keep my eye on it, but I do like this explanation. Still, I also appreciate the above replies.
Again, thanks!
-S.W.
I haven't run the machine too much yet, but it looks like the level of the oil is staying pretty constant. However, it was still going that muddy colour... My boss (who bought this machine) went back to the dealer and talked about it, and he said that it is totally normal. What's happening, according to him (the dealer), is that the oil is simply going foamy from not getting up to temperature. We only ran it for a few minutes to get it onto the trailer, and then again to get it into the workshop. This engine does also have an oil cooler, though he said that has nothing to do with it.
I had had a very close look at the oil, and it did seem to have the appearance of tiny bubbles in it. So we ran it for a little longer, and voila! The colour started to disappear.
I will continue to keep my eye on it, but I do like this explanation. Still, I also appreciate the above replies.
Again, thanks!
-S.W.
You have to run the engine for a while when it is up to operating temperature to 'Boil off' any water/condensation in the oil. Same thing happens with an automobile and its oil.
When the engine is shut down and cools, it creates a vacuum in the crankcase and draws in air that has condensation in it. It condenses in the oil and on metal surfaces and has to be 'Boiled' back off/out by getting the engine up to operating temperatures again.
When the oil was drained before, there was still moisture inside the engine, and what the OP saw was the residue that was rinsing off. It will go away eventually as long as the engine is run long enough at operating temperatures.
That is normal in all engines, especially ones that are run for short times/distances and never get hot enough to boil all the water off/out of the crankcase and internals.
When the engine is shut down and cools, it creates a vacuum in the crankcase and draws in air that has condensation in it. It condenses in the oil and on metal surfaces and has to be 'Boiled' back off/out by getting the engine up to operating temperatures again.
When the oil was drained before, there was still moisture inside the engine, and what the OP saw was the residue that was rinsing off. It will go away eventually as long as the engine is run long enough at operating temperatures.
That is normal in all engines, especially ones that are run for short times/distances and never get hot enough to boil all the water off/out of the crankcase and internals.
Wow, thanks ST; I didn't know that before... but it makes sense!You have to run the engine for a while when it is up to operating temperature to 'Boil off' any water/condensation in the oil. Same thing happens with an automobile and its oil.
When the engine is shut down and cools, it creates a vacuum in the crankcase and draws in air that has condensation in it. It condenses in the oil and on metal surfaces and has to be 'Boiled' back off/out by getting the engine up to operating temperatures again.
When the oil was drained before, there was still moisture inside the engine, and what the OP saw was the residue that was rinsing off. It will go away eventually as long as the engine is run long enough at operating temperatures.
That is normal in all engines, especially ones that are run for short times/distances and never get hot enough to boil all the water off/out of the crankcase and internals.
I've hadn't run into it before, but also have never had any engine this large in the shop yet. Always learning new things!
-S.W.
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