John Deere Oil question

SHICKS · 12-14-07, 02:20

Hi-

I figured I would post this here since everyone here seems to be an expert on something.

I have a John Deere L120, yes the HD model and that is not heavy duty. It kind of came with the house, not my choice. Anyway. I have been using it this winter with a snow thrower attachment. I left it outside for about 5 hours today and the temp is in the 20's. I started it up to move it in the garage, it ran for about 5 min. I figured I'd check the oil and this it what I saw, white foam on the dipstick. Any thoughts?

Thanks,
Steve

BigJimZ28 · 12-14-07, 02:34

that would be water ( or some other liquid)
that got mixed in with the oil

SHICKS · 12-14-07, 03:07

Ok, first question. Is it really bad? Second, how did it get in there? Should I just change the oil. It is stored in side all year. Maybe I did not run it long enough to get it hot enough to evaporate the water?

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigJimZ28

that would be water ( or some other liquid)
that got mixed in with the oil

jshillin · 12-14-07, 04:11

Change the oil...

Bunky · 12-14-07, 04:15

Foam is bad....change the oil.

SHICKS · 12-14-07, 04:26

What about an oil additive? Do I have to change the filter as well? I will do a full change in the spring. There is a good amount of clear oil at the end of the dipstick. The foam is mostly in the dipstick tube.

BigJimZ28 · 12-14-07, 07:35

I don't think there is a filter(but I could be wrong it has happened before)

just warm it up then pull the plug and let it drain for a little longer then normal

you might need to do it a few times but it is easy and does not take much oil

do it now water is bad in the wrong place

jshillin · 12-14-07, 07:43

There should be a filter, there's one on my dad's john deere. Just change the oil & filter & be done with it. Doesn't cost much and it is much cheaper than having that little engine rebuilt!!

SHICKS · 12-15-07, 06:06

Thanks for the help. Will do it today. Do you think it could have been caused by water in the gas? I suspect no, but did put a very small amount of gas from my boat in it last week.

Steve

Bunky · 12-15-07, 06:28

You should change the oil and filter on at least on a season basis. I think they spec the oil changes by number of hours of operation. The cause of foam in an air cooled engine is used oil contaminated by condensing water over time.

SHICKS · 12-15-07, 09:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bunky

You should change the oil and filter on at least on a season basis. I think they spec the oil changes by number of hours of operation. The cause of foam in an air cooled engine is used oil contaminated by condensing water over time.

Thanks, I don't put many hours on it, maybe 40 per year. I changed the oil this morning with 5-30 which was recommended by the Deere dealer near by.

I'll keep a close eye on it. I hose it down in the summer and I wonder if water gets in somehow.

Steve

Bunky · 12-15-07, 02:12

When you drained it, was it foamy? I think you thought most was in the dipstick tube?