I have been getting my 445 ready for mowing season and had some questions about some recent service I had done.
I do all of the more frequent service on my tractor myself. This spring I changed the air filter, antifreeze, transaxle oil and filter ( I just changed the oil and filter last November). The tractor has 1238 hours so I was a little overdue for the fuel filter change and valve adjustment ( they were last done at 500 hours). Also, I noticed that sometime since November I got a pretty bad valve cover oil leak on the left side so it made sense to go ahead and adjust the valves. I thought about tackling these myself but decided to go ahead and take it to the dealer.
As is usually the case, there were a few surprises from the dealer when they performed the service. Here are my questions:
Valve Adjustment: The tech commented that both of the left side valves were pretty loose ( 0.035 when the spec is 0.010). He asked if anyone had done anything to the adjustment. I told him that they had not been touched since they adjusted them 738 hours before. He didn't know why they would have been so loose but he suggested that I add some zinc additive to my oil to be safe. The right side valves were at 0.015 and didn't need as much adjustment.
I actually have some Camshield that I use in an older Camaro when I change the oil. Any reason why I wouldn't want to add some to the 445? How concerned should I be about this? It runs fine as far as I can tell. I was actually surprised that side was so loose. I never heard any valve noise, but the tech said he could hear it when we ran it before adjustment.
Valve Covers: As I said, the left valve cover had started leaking recently. The dealer told me that I needed new valve covers ( new metal ones, the old ones were plastic). When they called I got the impression that the reason I needed new ones was because they had discontinued the gasket for the old covers. When I looked at my bill after getting home I noticed a comment that said I needed new valve covers because the old ones melted from the engine overheating. To my knowledge the engine has never overheated. The temperature gauge never goes above 1/3 and is usually around 1/4. The tractor always runs great and has never given any indication of running hot. Should I call the dealer and get more clarification on this comment? Could the engine have overheated without showing on the gauge or me noticing anything?
Engine Mount: They also noticed that my right side engine mount was broken and needed replacement. They showed me the broken mount. No real question here, I was just surprised that a tractor engine mount would break.
I have had this tractor for 15 years and it has been great! I'm hoping that it lasts many more years.
I do all of the more frequent service on my tractor myself. This spring I changed the air filter, antifreeze, transaxle oil and filter ( I just changed the oil and filter last November). The tractor has 1238 hours so I was a little overdue for the fuel filter change and valve adjustment ( they were last done at 500 hours). Also, I noticed that sometime since November I got a pretty bad valve cover oil leak on the left side so it made sense to go ahead and adjust the valves. I thought about tackling these myself but decided to go ahead and take it to the dealer.
As is usually the case, there were a few surprises from the dealer when they performed the service. Here are my questions:
Valve Adjustment: The tech commented that both of the left side valves were pretty loose ( 0.035 when the spec is 0.010). He asked if anyone had done anything to the adjustment. I told him that they had not been touched since they adjusted them 738 hours before. He didn't know why they would have been so loose but he suggested that I add some zinc additive to my oil to be safe. The right side valves were at 0.015 and didn't need as much adjustment.
I actually have some Camshield that I use in an older Camaro when I change the oil. Any reason why I wouldn't want to add some to the 445? How concerned should I be about this? It runs fine as far as I can tell. I was actually surprised that side was so loose. I never heard any valve noise, but the tech said he could hear it when we ran it before adjustment.
Valve Covers: As I said, the left valve cover had started leaking recently. The dealer told me that I needed new valve covers ( new metal ones, the old ones were plastic). When they called I got the impression that the reason I needed new ones was because they had discontinued the gasket for the old covers. When I looked at my bill after getting home I noticed a comment that said I needed new valve covers because the old ones melted from the engine overheating. To my knowledge the engine has never overheated. The temperature gauge never goes above 1/3 and is usually around 1/4. The tractor always runs great and has never given any indication of running hot. Should I call the dealer and get more clarification on this comment? Could the engine have overheated without showing on the gauge or me noticing anything?
Engine Mount: They also noticed that my right side engine mount was broken and needed replacement. They showed me the broken mount. No real question here, I was just surprised that a tractor engine mount would break.
I have had this tractor for 15 years and it has been great! I'm hoping that it lasts many more years.
