2550 Oil Consumption Continues

[Dascro]

I know that oil consumption in this model CC has been discussed in a number of threads over the past couple of years. I perused several of them and noted that most oil consumption issues seem to clear up after some time. Except mine!

I seem to be loosing about 5 oz. of oil each time I mow. No leaks and no indications the engine is burning it. I am using Mobil 1 10W40. I have about 45 hours on the tractor so far.

Anyone else experiencing this same problem? Everything else seems fine. Runs strong (still a little hot, but par for the course for these I guess), mows good, etc.

Thanks,
Dave

 

[Eagleview]

I think you will find that Mobil 1 10w40 is a friction modified oil . If it is , it will prevent the rings from "bedding" in , and it will use oil . Ask your supplier or Google it to find out for sure . You should run a non friction modified oil while the engine is breaking in . After a few hundred hours it will be fine to use friction modified oils again .

 

[Fordlords]

I totally agree. Use a good brand of dinosaur oil for the first 100 hours or so. I think Kohler recommends that too.

-Fordlords-

 

[Dascro]

Thanks for the replies.

Nothing in the Owner's manual about engine break-in lasting up to 100 hours. It does mention "ship away" oil and changing it after 25 hours. Which I did. Figured they defined engine break-in as the first 25 hours. Consequently, I started using Mobil 1 after 25 hours.

I'm familiar with engine break-in, and fully agree that the first several hours of operation are critical to achieve proper ring seating. I believe during that period it is also important to vary RPM's, and give the engine several "heat cycles". All of which I did. But I never heard of a 100 hour break-in period for a small engine, and I have owned a few new ones and rebuilt a few over the years. All were taken through the same break-in as this one on the 2550 with no problems.

Not arguing with anyone. That's not my intent. Just surprised to hear that break-in can last up to 100 hours on these small engines. But perhaps that's correct as it is using oil some how. Never thought it could be break-in issues at the 50 hour mark.

Dave,

 

[JTKub]

How long is it taking to loose 5oz? (how long per mowing) That is quite a bit. You should be able to see & smell it at that quantity I'd think. Is it oily need the carb throat? Maybe oil is being blown through the breather tube and into the carb? I switched mine to Shell Rotella-T 5w40 (synthetic blend) at about ~30hrs. No measurable consumption. Oil looks clean forever.

Joel

 

[Dascro]

I loose the oil over two mowings (which equals about 5 hours total). I add oil to the "Full" mark on the dipstick and then after about two mowings the oil level is about halfway between the "Full" and "Low" markings on the dipstick. Seems like a lot to me.

I'll have to check around the carburetor. No oil smell at all though.

Thanks,
Dave

 

[moe1942]

Switch back to dino oil for awhile and see what happens. It's cheaper too.

 

[dqdave1]

I do not believe the Mobil 1 is your problem. My guess would be a valve guide. Kohler Commands a few years ago, did have a oil usage problem but I can not think what the trouble was. Might have been a head gasket.

 

[Double 00 Soul]

Have to agree with dqdave1 that your problem probably isn't a Mobil 1 or break-in issue. I started using Mobil 1 10W-30 about the same time you went with the 10W-40 and my 2542 doesn't use any oil. The only difference is that I changed the oil, using dino oil, at about the 10 hour mark because I didn't like the idea of metal particles from a new engine being in there until the 25 hour mark. It now has 121 hours on it. I never saw any oil usage after going to Mobil 1.

 

[Dascro]

Thanks.

Yeah, my thinking is along the lines of the last two posts. The break-in period is long over, no doubt. And there is a lot of conclusive scientific and real-world data (statistically significant in both cases) that allays any concerns associated with synthetic lubricants causing oil use (when used in sound engines).

Any ideas on how or where I could find info about the Kohler Command oil usage problems mentioned above?

All the input and information is appreciated.

Dave

 

[Gator6x4]

I loose the oil over two mowings (which equals about 5 hours total). I add oil to the "Full" mark on the dipstick and then after about two mowings the oil level is about halfway between the "Full" and "Low" markings on the dipstick. Seems like a lot to me.

I'll have to check around the carburetor. No oil smell at all though.

Thanks,
Dave

I don't think this is excessive oil usage for an air cooled engine. Five (5) hours of wide open throttle and only used five (5) ounces of oil. This is good in my opinion for a air cooled engine and I have had about every brand including "Clinton" now if you are familiar with a Clinton engine you are dated.

Check out this link on some of the "Myths" of synthetic oil.

Myths

 

[Double 00 Soul]

You should be able to find the info you seek by doing a forum search. However, hopefully you received a manual when you bought your 2550 that dealt with just the engine, I did when I bought my 2542. I've had occasion to speak directly with Kohler on some issues and they were always very helpful. They should be able to answer any questions/concerns about your oil usage.

By the way, one of the issues Kohler helped me with was engine oil filters. I noted that the first filter I purchased from my dealer was somewhat shorter than the one that came on the engine. The dealer insisted the one they sold me was the correct filter. The dealer was partially right, Kohler informed me that for the engine in my 2542, there were three different filters that could be used "if I had the room." Naturally I always get the largest filter. Again, I've found Kohler to be very helpful every time I've spoken with them.

 

[moe1942]

If you go to synthetic before the rings seat you will consume oil. Get with Kohler and tell them what you did. They will advise you.

Fifty years ago when tolerances weren't that good we had oil consumption. We just lived with it. Five ounces in five hours seems a tad high to me. I have a GT2542 with 11 hours on it and it's still at full. I'll stick with dino oil and save my money..

The Kohler on my Original Cub Cadet doesn't use that much oil and it has mucho hard hours on it..

 

[dqdave1]

I do not believe that synthetic will cause rings not to seat.

 

[Eagleview]

Break in oils were created for a reason .

 

[JPPWNY]

I went 25 hours on factory oil with my 1554 and 3100.
After 25 hours, I swicthed to fully synthetic oil in both.
1554 has 90 hrs and 3100 has 39 hrs, no oil loss at all.
You have something going on in your engine.
Does it smoke a lot?

 

[Dascro]

Thanks for all the replies.

I know the problem is not the synthetic oil. I never suspected it was and I hope no one thinks I inferred that it was in my original post.

The engine doesn't smoke. I think there is an oil leak under full throttle pressures around the oil filter. Checking into the details.

Dave