FLtractor 50 #1 Posted May 4 (edited) Morning, 4 days ago I suctioned out about 700-900 Ml of the black at least 4 year old engine oil from my 856.. previous owner said he didn’t change it in that time yet probably only had 10 hours total run time on the tractor in that time. I suctioned out what I could do to still not being able to remove the oil drain tube buttcapp. Was able to add 1 quart bottle SaE30 engine oil, nice and clear. Since i changed (added? To the older black left over non suction able oil) there is now a strong odor when I walk in the small shed I keep the tractor in. Smell smells similar to burnt.. either a gas or oil odor.. can’t quite place it and unsure why it is smelling now.. Could the smell be too much oil, where I misread the now difficult to read dipstick due to clear oil… Water in oil.. fact the last remaining tank of regular ethanol gas from when I got the tractor is running empty? Thank you Edited May 4 by FLtractor Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ri702bill 9,348 #2 Posted May 4 Pull the dipstick - look at the oil level. Is it overfilled?? Does the dipstick smell like gasoline?? If so, do NOT run the engine!!! The fuel pump diaphragm is leaking, letting raw gas into the block & diluting the oil. Repair / replace the fuel pump and change the oil - again.... Been there, done that. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Retired Wrencher 5,767 #3 Posted May 4 @FLtractor How did you check the Oil? Did you put the dipstick on to top of the engine block? NOT THREADED IN. This does make a difference! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 59,785 #4 Posted May 4 2 hours ago, FLtractor said: now difficult to read dipstick due to clear oil… When checking the oil I clean the dipstick, check the level as shown below and lay the dipstick on a clean sheet of paper. The oil will show up on the paper so you can see where it is on the dipstick. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
John2189 536 #5 Posted May 4 15 minutes ago, 953 nut said: When checking the oil I clean the dipstick, check the level as shown below and lay the dipstick on a clean sheet of paper. The oil will show up on the paper so you can see where it is on the dipstick. I use a light colored rag for a background. Or make the oil on the dipstick shine from the lights. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JoeM 8,293 #6 Posted May 4 If you don't find any issues from the suggestions listed, might just chalk it up to running it an putting it away. I have several newer machines in a 12x24 and have from time to time walked in the man-door and thought I had a fuel leak because of odor. Especially when I switched to non E fuel and it is a warm day. On older machines, that have been sitting, fuel leaks will show up. You have to check very closely. Don't over look the carb. i had a 8 hp that would just be damp on the bottom of the bowl. I ran my hand under the bowl to find it damp. The retaining bolt gasket was going bad. The smell was strong from just a little bit of fuel. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ineedanother 1,668 #7 Posted May 4 Are you familiar with the odor of synthetic oil when it burns? If you're using SAE30 synthetic and haven't smelled that before, that could be the mystery odor. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FLtractor 50 #8 Posted May 4 12 hours ago, 953 nut said: When checking the oil I clean the dipstick, check the level as shown below and lay the dipstick on a clean sheet of paper. The oil will show up on the paper so you can see where it is on the dipstick. Yes I checked it using this exact picture.. on the shelf… if I did over fill the oil… Is it a simple fix of suctioning out to just below the full fill line or since I ran the tractor alraady… did I potentially damage and need to replace anything? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FLtractor 50 #9 Posted May 4 3 hours ago, ineedanother said: Are you familiar with the odor of synthetic oil when it burns? If you're using SAE30 synthetic and haven't smelled that before, that could be the mystery odor. Not familiar and haven’t ever used that oil before.. could very well be. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FLtractor 50 #10 Posted May 4 14 hours ago, ri702bill said: Pull the dipstick - look at the oil level. Is it overfilled?? Does the dipstick smell like gasoline?? If so, do NOT run the engine!!! The fuel pump diaphragm is leaking, letting raw gas into the block & diluting the oil. Repair / replace the fuel pump and change the oil - again.... Been there, done that. Will have to check tomorrow if not raining. If I do replace the fuel pump.. should I go electric or keep it simple? How long does it take? Have a link to which fuel pump I should go with and or a video of what to replace ? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
adsm08 3,149 #11 Posted May 4 I always thought synthetic oil burning smelled like vegetable oil burning. It definitely doesn't smell like regular oil. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
