Oil 2 quarts low in MC 35

ironpen · Apr 23, 2010

I checked my oil in my MC 35 today after noting the engine running a little hot. It was 2 quarts low. Have I damaged my engine?? I love this front cutter and hope I haven't really screwed up. Someone tell me whether to be worried. Any idea how much it holds? I will always check it myself from now on rather taking someone else's word that it is OK. TIA

mostly_gas · Apr 24, 2010

As long as oil pressure has been maintained, the chances of major damage are minimal.

Don't know if you have a pressure gauge or light, but if the gauge stayed above 15 psi if the light did not come on will running you SHOULD be ok.

jinman · Apr 24, 2010

I believe the MC35 is a 35 hp 3-cyl diesel and probably holds 5+ quarts of oil. Ironpen, I'd take this as all the justification you need to find or purchase an owner's manual. Surely you know how basic it is to know how much oil is in the engine, especially when you change it out. A call to your nearest NH dealer's service department will surely get you some basic maintenance info.

What would concern me most at this point is how the engine got so low on oil. Was it a leak? Burned? Not filled properly at the last service? You did have it on level ground when you checked it, didn't you? Surely, running two quarts low consistently would be a bad thing. Reduced oil pressure and quantity for a short period would probably not cause any serious deterioration. Just remember, oil not only lubricates, but it also cools the engine parts. When you don't have enough oil, the oil you do have will go bad very quickly. I think I'd do an oil change with the right quantity just to be on the safe side. That MC35 is too expensive and too nice to take a chance.

Soundguy · Apr 24, 2010

ditto what jinman and the other poster said.

as long a spositive oil pressure wa smaintained.. you are *likely* ok.. but you do need to track down the cause of your low oil situation.

if you are really loosing sleep, run her a lil while and then pull an oil sample and send away fro a UOA to see if you are into wear metals on yer engine.. if not.. then sleep good as long as you pin down the oil loss issue.

soundguy