Dip stick level.

[Retired Wrencher 6,512]

How many of you fill to F mark? I was looking through the manual section on Kohler motors. I found out something interesting about how much oil to put in your engine in the manual for K241 it states to put 2 quarts. But another manual that has an update is an add to the full mark. So that’s what I’ve been doing. Also, I’ve heard that stored oil being new should be used within 3 to 5 years of purchase. That’s a new one on me. I guess it pays  to read. Back in the early days I just did a quick scan and never really read the fine print. so I guess it pays to read more. Also lately  I can’t seem to get a tan or brown on the spark plugs. Any thoughts on that? I’m running 93 octane E free fuel enjoy your day.

Edited yesterday at 10:04 AM by Retired Wrencher

[Achto 31,216]

I always fill to the full mark on the dip stick.

 

I did know that oil has a shelf life, did not know how long that was. I never seem to have a container around long enough to cause concern.

 

 

Edited yesterday at 10:56 AM by Achto

[702854boy 554]

I usually either fill to the full mark or just slightly above since these are splash lubricated, it wouldn't hurt to have an extra half ounce to ounce of oil in them.

Edited yesterday at 11:44 AM by 702854boy

[WHX?? 55,551]

48 minutes ago, Achto said:

container around long enough to cause concern.

On the comment about dipsticks Its kinda hard to go by dipsticks when one looks like the one below. Given that most of our motors have been through many hands it's entirely possible the original stick has been replaced or modified. 

There was a post not long ago, Think it was from @rmaynard about more oil coming out than what was put in a motor. @Racinbob posted about measuring how much comes out comes out during a oil change and how much goes in using old juicy juice bottles calibrated by your wife's favorite measuring cup. 

Of all of Bob's crazy ideas this one seems to hold oil.  In other words measure what you put in per the manual or published reading and see how that reads against the dipstick. 

Yeah I know a bit more PIA than just dumping a quart in and calling it a day but now you know how much is in it. 

[peter lena 9,793]

@Retired Wrencher  consistently  do a  regular  check over  after any usage , top off  fuel , trans level , engine oil  , also add  sta bil to that  tank top off , anything out of sync?  BTW  since going over to  rislone , zinc  oil additive  years ago  , I have had no oil issues at all . thats a great varnish cutter , helps / enhances ring function ,  another  repetitive  opportunity , that turned out  , pete 

[953 nut 64,516]

Not all K-241s take two quarts of oil. The short oil pan units take 1 1/2 Quart and many industrial units take more than two quarts.

 

[WHX?? 55,551]

4 minutes ago, 953 nut said:

Not all K-241s take two quarts of oil.

True Richard  ... then there are these things called typos or fat fingers. 

[953 nut 64,516]

Plenty of K-241 oil pans to choose from.

 

[WHX?? 55,551]

1 hour ago, 953 nut said:

Plenty of K-241 oil pans to choose from.

Just talking about that yesterday. Ford had one where the front axle went thru the oil pan. 

[wallfish 19,465]

Dip stick level

The dip stick level on here is almost at the full mark. I being one of them and confirming it with this post

 

[gwest_ca-(File Mod) 12,049]

Wheel Horse did publish lubrication charts for those that may not know covering 1960-1999

The appropriate pages for each model have been added to the thumbnails seen when you open the file on a tractor model so a download is not necessary. Just click on one to enlarge it.

The first page is all the tractor models for that year each with a code you take to the 2nd page for chassis grease, engine, hydraulics and transmission for quantity and lube spec.

 

A link to the full list

 

[C-85 784]

I just changed the engine oil in my C-105 and it took about 1 1/2 qts, which is what the paper manual I have calls for.  One thing to note, I believe this is checked by not screwing in the dipstick.

 

C-85

[WHX?? 55,551]

52 minutes ago, C-85 said:

 I believe this is checked by not screwing in the dipstick

Correct 

[Retired Wrencher 6,512]

22 hours ago, Achto said:

I always fill to the full mark on the dip stick.

 

I did know that oil has a shelf life, did not know how long that was. I never seem to have a container around long enough to cause concern.

 

 

It was buy a member here that he did some research on this. At one time it was hard to buy in bulk of W30 weight to save on  $$ s.

[Retired Wrencher 6,512]

9 hours ago, C-85 said:

I just changed the engine oil in my C-105 and it took about 1 1/2 qts, which is what the paper manual I have calls for.  One thing to note, I believe this is checked by not screwing in the dipstick.

 

C-85

Pull out the dip stick  wipe clean then lay on the block next to the fill hole. A true way to check your oil.

Edited 4 hours ago by Retired Wrencher

[Retired Wrencher 6,512]

21 hours ago, WHX?? said:

On the comment about dipsticks Its kinda hard to go by dipsticks when one looks like the one below. Given that most of our motors have been through many hands it's entirely possible the original stick has been replaced or modified. 

There was a post not long ago, Think it was from @rmaynard about more oil coming out than what was put in a motor. @Racinbob posted about measuring how much comes out comes out during a oil change and how much goes in using old juicy juice bottles calibrated by your wife's favorite measuring cup. 

Of all of Bob's crazy ideas this one seems to hold oil.  In other words measure what you put in per the manual or published reading and see how that reads against the dipstick. 

Yeah I know a bit more PIA than just dumping a quart in and calling it a day but now you know how much is in it. 

Jim good info there.I usually use a measuring cup. That way you know it’s correct.

[Retired Wrencher 6,512]

21 hours ago, 953 nut said:

Not all K-241s take two quarts of oil. The short oil pan units take 1 1/2 Quart and many industrial units take more than two quarts.

 

Richard I believe my 64 k 241 has that short pan. So I’m assuming that takes 2 quarts?

[pfrederi 20,023]

If you know the spec number of your engine we can figure out what dipstick it is supposed to have and how long it is.  Then you can be sure without resorting to a measuring cup....I seriously doubt a couple ozs one way or the other will make any difference in operation

Edited 1 hour ago by pfrederi

[953 nut 64,516]

3 hours ago, Retired Wrencher said:

241 has that short pan. So I’m assuming that takes 2 quarts?

The short pan takes 1 1/2 quarts, the regular pan uses 2 quarts.

[953 nut 64,516]

On 3/23/2026 at 6:00 AM, Retired Wrencher said:

I’ve heard that stored oil being new should be used within 3 to 5 years of purchase. That’s a new one on me. I guess it pays  to read. Back in the early days I just did a quick scan and never really read the fine print. so I guess it pays to read more.

The thread on oil "GOING OUT OF DATE" is, in my opinion, inconsequential  when it comes to our Wheel Horses. The concern the additives coming out of suspension while on the shelf and those additives didn't even exist when my engines were built so I'm not terribly concerned about them. 

Here is the thread that started the conversation.