First Oil Change

[heliman]

So I have hit the 25 hour mark on my 4231TD. I am getting ready to do the first oil change and wanted to see if the group had any suggestions/tips/gotchas that would help us newbies out. It looks pretty straight forward but I have learned just because something looks easy doesn't always mean it is.

Thanks for any advice.

 

[Raw Dodge]

Do yourself a favor,when you put the new oil in the engine afterwards....add it very slowly into the valve cover....this particular engine has a flaw,Im not sure of they changed the routing of the breather or not but if you fill the oil too quickly the valve conver will fill with oil and the oil will run down the crankcase vent tube right into the intake to the turbo.When you start it afterwards,it can hydrolock slightly and ever so slightly bend the rod on that cylinder...it will still run,but run a little roiugh,it will eventually throw that rod if you dont get the engine torn down and have it replaced.....if it were mine i think id remove the breather tube until i was done filling it to be safe...a very repuatable dealer told me about this,its only an issue on the 31hp turbo...

 

[JohnnyDB]

Nothing I can think about, I followed the Operators Manual and it was as straightforward as it seemed to me. If you ever done any type of oil change before it really is very simple. I have a different engine and have not heard of what Raw Dodge mentioned, but good thing to look out for if he has run into it!

 

[BKBrown]

Ther is one other thing to watch for... If you don't use factory or Ventrac oil filters --- make sure they are no longer (taller) than the 3" max. --- the front lift arm will come up and shear the filter. It will pump out all your oil FAST ! Use a good filter that is not too long and there is no problem.
I have the 4231 Gas Water Cooled (Liquid Cooled) - this is my 2nd one and I LOVE the Ventrac. :thumbsup:

 

[American Bulldog]

Be thankful you got the 31HP Turbo diesel when you did. I don't think they are available anymore.

 

[Raw Dodge]

Be thankful you got the 31HP Turbo diesel when you did. I don't think they are available anymore.

They are plentiful..its the 31HP gas thats not available anymore....its a shame too,it was the stone reliable powerhouse of the Ventrac line...

 

[heliman]

Thanks for all the responses. As always I really appreciate everyone's help. Overall it was an easy process and was able to not spill any oil on the driveway

 

[BKBrown]

The 31 Hp Gas Air Cooled is available - the 4231 Gas Liquid Cooled is not available any longer (EPA). I made that mistake in thinking also. I guess the Liquid cooling keeps the engine (and exhaust) too cool to suit the EPA. It is possible that this is wrong, but it is what my dealer told me just last week.

They are plentiful..its the 31HP gas thats not available anymore....its a shame too,it was the stone reliable powerhouse of the Ventrac line...

 

[Raw Dodge]

Sorry I wasn't specific. I meant the 3lc engine not the v twin air cooled.

 

[toro5xi]

I have the 3223d with the Briggs diesel. Great engine.

I changed the oil with Mobil 1 and used the dealer oil filter. In case anyone is interested the following filters work for this engine as well, Wix 51394, Amsoil 51394, Purolator L14476 and Fram PH4967.

 

[Raw Dodge]

I have the 3223d with the Briggs diesel. Great engine.

I changed the oil with Mobil 1 and used the dealer oil filter. In case anyone is interested the following filters work for this engine as well, Wix 51394, Amsoil 51394, Purolator L14476 and Fram PH4967.

That is a great engine, the 850D is far and away 10x better than the 950D for some reason....also which Mobil 1 did you use...your not supposed to use Mobil 1 in that engine. I use Mobil Delvac 1, its only available in 5w40,its the right oil ,much heavier duty and basically the same price..can be found at truck stops and walmart as Mobil One truck/SUV diesel oil...

 

[toro5xi]

That is a great engine, the 850D is far and away 10x better than the 950D for some reason....also which Mobil 1 did you use...your not supposed to use Mobil 1 in that engine. I use Mobil Delvac 1, its only available in 5w40,its the right oil ,much heavier duty and basically the same price..can be found at truck stops and walmart as Mobil One truck/SUV diesel oil...

Thanks for the info. Getting ready to change the oil again. I will look for the heavier weight oil this time.

 

[toro5xi]

Hello

I looked at the Briggs manual for this engine and it indicates Synthetic 5w-30 may be used for all temperatures. I use this tractor in the winter quite a bit which was one reason I wanted to stick with 5w-30. Please see attachment from manual. Sorry the scan is not better.

Perhaps in the hot weather I should be using 10w-40 as someone recommended.

 

[Raw Dodge]

Hello

I looked at the Briggs manual for this engine and it indicates Synthetic 5w-30 may be used for all temperatures. I use this tractor in the winter quite a bit which was one reason I wanted to stick with 5w-30. Please see attachment from manual. Sorry the scan is not better.

Perhaps in the hot weather I should be using 10w-40 as someone recommended.

First off Ive never seen a 10w40 diesel oil....good luck finding it, just use 5w40 synthetic year round,nothing is better,and its readily available...

More important than the weight being 5w30....make sure the API letter starts with a C ...do not use oil that starts with an S!!! If you put regular car oil in it (API S) ,get it out ASAP...it isnt meant for diesels,and doesnt have the durability needed to protect your diesel engine.This is what matters...and 5w40 full synthetic oil outperforms 5w30,and is suitable for all climates,also much more readily available than 5w30 C oil....

FYI Kohler Command oil is 10w30 diesel oil,and most small engine shops sell it,look at the API label first letter is a C,so its good to use in the diesel.It isnt synthetic though.