G154 Oil Change Help

[NHmitch]

Hi,
I have not changed the oil in my Bolens G154/IsekiTX1300f since I have owned it, since the dealer had done it when I bought it. It is time for an oil change, and I have the new filter, but do I change it just like a car? I found the filler cap, the drain plug, and the filter, but I have never changed the oil in a diesel before. What type of oil do I need for a cold/hot climate, and are there any precautions I need to take? Also would anyone recommend using a diesel oil treatment, or is it a bad idea to use these. Thanks for the help!

Andrew

 

[Ilikeurtractor]

It's just like a car. One recommendation I have is do not over tighten the drain plug when you put it back in. Just snug it up enough so it doesn't leak (check it a few times after startup to make sure it's not leaking). I've found many drain plugs rounded off because it seems like it takes about twice the torque to "undo" them vs. install them. So if you put it in tight, it will be really tight to remove. Just a recommendation, do what you wish though.

A good oil to use is Rotella 15w-40. I use synthetic Rotella 5w-40 but it seems like it can cause excessive smoking (although I need to investigate this more).

I believe the manual calls for an oil change about every 100 hrs. of use (give or take).

 

[NHmitch]

Thanks so much for the help! I am going to change the oil tomorrow. I will definitely be careful about not over tightening the drain plug. My tractor is about 30 years old, so I don't want to risk stripping anything on it at this point . I think that I may stick with the regular Rotella 15w-40 that you recommended, because the tractor already smokes on start up, and when I accelerate. From watching videos, just about every Iseki TX1300/1500 that I have seen does this on start up, but hopefully it is not another issue. Anyways, thanks again!

 

[Ilikeurtractor]

When you take out the drain plug hopefully you won't be the victim of an "over tightening" job by the last guy. I would recommend using 1/2" drive breaker bar with 6 pt. socket. After you snug it up correctly it should come free with a 3/8" drive ratchet.

Diesels that smoke at startup or under acceleration is acceptable in my opinion, as long as acceleration smoke is mostly black and startup smoke is mostly white although blue doesn't mean much at startup necessarily either. The one tractor I have seems like it smokes white/light blue now that I have changed to synthetic 5w-40 even when fully warmed. Another doesn't smoke much at all with synthetic and I know the compression rings are bad in that one so, like I said, I need to confirm some other things. I have the injector nozzles in for testing at a diesel shop for the one that smokes a light white/blue and I'm sure they'll put in new tips and reset the opening pressure as well as check for leakage/dribbling. I'm hoping that may be some of the smoking problem.

 

[JoeBuyer]

I also use Rotella in my G154. Oil in a diesel gets black fairly quickly but don't worry about that, it is normal. I also never really worry about a little oil consumption as it seems to me engines should use "some". Not an excessive amount, but topping it off occasionally is not something I worry about. My G154 doesn't seem to need to be topped off and does not drip when parked. Gotta like that.

 

[NHmitch]

Thanks for the response! I put the Rotella in in it, and it was a pretty easy job, minus the filler hole that is kind of tough to get to on the KE70, also being the dipstick hole. You were right, the oil was very black, and thats good to hear that this is normal. Luckily mine didn't seem to burn any oil either, and doesn't leak. They really did a great job when they designed and built these tractors. There built and run like little tanks. Thanks again!

Mitch