Oil & Fuel Does it matter where you put the Oil in a L4240

Samandothers · Apr 3, 2009

Though the maintenance does not call for an oil change until 200 hours mine was looking pretty dark. I decided it was a beautiful afternoon and I'd change it.
I opened the two oil drain plugs, drained the oil. I then replaced the filter. I saw what appeared to be a place to put oil in the top of the engine and the plug was labeled oil. I fussed a bit to myself as it was way over and down and difficult to reach.

I had a transmission funnel that was clean so I used it to put the almost 9 quarts of oil in.
I then went to check the oil and noticed beside the dip stick is a similar looking plug that had the word 'oil' on top of it too. I had bit of a panic thinking I'd put the oil in the wrong place, especially since the oil pan appears to be split (two drain plugs)

. However, I checked the dip stick and it was up at full.

Finally the question in all this. Does it matter where the oil is put into the engine? top or side? After doing all this the owners manual indicated to use the plug on the side.
I figured it did not matter but the one on the side was there to make it easier to fill with oil since the one on top is a bit of a pain to get to.

lawn_king · Apr 3, 2009

I did the same thing on my first change. When you do your hydraulic service dont forget to pull the plugs (2) on your final drives, they each hold about 1.5 gallons.

jimainiac · Apr 3, 2009

Our L3830 has the same setup. I think I did the same thing you did the first time. It's a lot easier to put the oil in on the side, but I still need a funnel even there.

radman1 · Apr 4, 2009

It is best to put new oil in the top opening. It does a better job of getting fresh oil on the thermactor valve. It also washes the sludge off the valves, lubricates the overhead cam shafts, washes the residual oil into the oil pan etc.

Now don't take the above statements seriously. The engines are used in different applications and are probably designed for different access methods to fill oil.

Samandothers · Apr 4, 2009

' The engines are used in different applications and are probably designed for different access methods to fill oil. '

I had not thought about this as a reason for the different fill locations. I just have always put the oil in the top of the engine on vehilces. It did give me a concern initially when I saw the fill port on the side and then checked the owners manual and it stated to fill from side. However oil level checks good and I'll use it today.

Thanks to all that have helped put my mind at ease.