Oil & Fuel Do short hops cause oil contamination?

   / Do short hops cause oil contamination? #1  

Sassvoor

New member
Joined
Feb 7, 2014
Messages
2
Location
Horseheads, NY
Tractor
Kawasaki 4010
I have just joined TBN after getting a Kawasaki 4010 with fuel injected engine. We use the unit on the farm for various chores and the in between distances are short hops(building to building). We were shutting the unit down between hops to save on fuel and wear and tear. The dealer came down to fix a problem we were having and said it was not a good idea to turn the unit off as it would cause fuel to contaminate the oil. Can someone who has experience in this area explain this to me. I do not wish to damage the unit but why waste fuel?
 
   / Do short hops cause oil contamination? #3  
Engines condensate a good bit when cold. If you follow vehicles that recently started you will see water coming out of the exhaust. Not all the condensation makes it out the exhaust. Some goes in to the crankcase. If the engine gets good and warm, that crankcase condensation gets heated off. Good and warm is not water temp but engine block and oil temp.
 
   / Do short hops cause oil contamination? #4  
I would think as long as you do warm it up good say once a day before you put it away you should be okay.
 
   / Do short hops cause oil contamination? #5  
I've heard that some small FI engines tend to run rich. Seems it's done on street bikes now to heat up the cat(s). You may or may not have a catalytic on yours.

I'd be tempted to get an oil analysis done, to check the Fuel in Oil level. I'm not an ATV guy, but I read enough engine stuff to say that this seems to be a common issue, but model dependent.

Bob Is the Oil Guy would be a place to check too.

Rgds, D.
 
   / Do short hops cause oil contamination?
  • Thread Starter
#6  
Thank you all. I believe I understand this better now. I think the best approach will be to change the oil using the extreme conditions guide rather than the suggested annual choice.
I am enjoying all of the posts. My next addition will be a new tractor since we have out grown our JD and Craftsman lawn tractors now that we have some more acreage.
 
   / Do short hops cause oil contamination? #7  
Also, doesn't fuel also get past the rings into the oil? That on bigger motors isn't this the point of the EGR valve to recirc the fuel when it evaporates ( when engine is warm) .
 
   / Do short hops cause oil contamination? #8  
Thank you all. I believe I understand this better now. I think the best approach will be to change the oil using the extreme conditions guide rather than the suggested annual choice.
I am enjoying all of the posts. My next addition will be a new tractor since we have out grown our JD and Craftsman lawn tractors now that we have some more acreage.


That's part of the solution. It is really a big deal to just fire up, run for 2 minutes then shut off any engine. When cold, the rings are NOT sealing worth a spit. So loads of fuel, partially burnt exhaust and tons of water are getting past the rings and into the oil. It does not take much to turn a lubricating fluid into a grinding slurry. Worse case in cold areas (like WI or NY) enough water builds up in the oil to reduce or stop the flow of oil into the pump (by it freezing).

Best thing is to gather up enough chores to run the equipment for an hour AFTER it is fully warmed to operating temps. If you don't have enough chores, take a joy ride.
 
   / Do short hops cause oil contamination? #9  
How many thousands of $ a year are you planning on saving?
You will reduce wear more by using a block heater.
 
   / Do short hops cause oil contamination? #10  
Also, doesn't fuel also get past the rings into the oil? That on bigger motors isn't this the point of the EGR valve to recirc the fuel when it evaporates ( when engine is warm) .

What??? Where did you get that idea???
 

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