Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions

Howdy Fine Folks!

Hope you're all well, and had a Happy Thanksgiving! Mine was good...till I drowned my nearly-new snow blower.

It's a two-stage Troy-Bilt, and I only used it for about three hours last year (bought it after the biggest storms, LOL!). I've never had it so good...  I'm gettin' on in years, and I had never operated a snow blower before, and I just couldn't believe how much easier it was to clear snow with them. *YOWZA!*

But...I noticed some leakage of some sort on the floor over the summer in the shed. I figured it was oil.   And...

...as the weather forecast called for snow Saturday night, I went out to put some oil in it...in the dark.  Now...

...I know what word you're thinkin' of...  First half means "not so smart".   Last half is what some Folks call a donkey.

And Lord, don't I know I deserve to be wearin' this Dunce Cap. I have been about as down on myself as I've ever been about something. I can't believe I was so stoopid.

But I over filled it with oil about as bad as you can without it bubbling out of the top like the time Ol' Jed Clampett just missed his dinner. I started and ran it the next day for about 30 seconds to a minute, hoping that I was just getting an inaccurate read, and with running, the level would reduce...

...and it ran like poo-poo, smoking and running bad, and even sounded like it was drowning (gurgle gurgle) after I turned it off... *sigh*

So...did I "kill" my pride and joy (and lumbar disc savior) or is there hope? Can I drain out the oil out of the drain plug at the bottom and hope for forgiveness? Or do I need to clean out other things that might have been drenched by the MASSIVE amount of oil I put in the Exxon Valdez?

AND...the manual says I have to empty the gas tank BEFORE draining out the oil. Why is that? I'm not going to tip it or anything...  Is that part necessary?

Well, as you might be able to tell, I don't get to talk to Folks much anymore, time has left me with a nice old lady, who isn't much into snowblower talk, and little else. I do have the time to work on my nice machine, just not all the know how, and I would sure be grateful for any advice or help you Fine Folks here on this wonderful website could give me...

...I'd sure miss having my shiney new firetruck red partner when I clear the driveway this winter, and the nice old lady says she'd miss me if I keeled over pushing snow around with my nickel shovel! I think she means that part...part of the time. LOL!

Well, thanks again!


  
                                  Your Friend in the Snowy Mid-west,



                                                   Fred D.



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Considering the wheel/axle relationship is static on one side and occasionally at slow speed on the other, friction will not be an issue.  I therefore recommend a grease that will resist being washed off from melting snow.  Go with any decent quality marine grease.   It sticks like gorilla snot and will need fewer re-applications. 

Howdy Fine Folks!

I'm sorry to have taken so long to have gotten back with you all, but somebody a lot smarter than me went and erased the list of addresses at the top of the what'cha'ma'call'it of the computer screen, and I had to ask the question the same way I did in the beginning on the google to to find abbysguide again!

Well, as you all know, I went and overfilled the oil, and you guys gave me hope for a brighter tomorrow, and... I did like you all said and drained it! And you know what...I got out about the amount it was supposed to have in it in the first place, and this was with all that leaked out. More questions about that in a second...

I started it up, and it was smokey for a while, but did okay! YAHOO! I think you all were right, my Troy-bilt is so tough it's Old Blind Man Idiot Proof!

But...that initial oil leak. I mentioned... It was there before the over-filling snafu, and it seems to be from the bottom of the machine. Why it do dat? I was hoping it was just a loose oil-drain nut, but no dice.

Also...  I poured over the manuals (pun kinda intended) and I can't for the life of me find out what the little plastic screw-cap (it's yellow-orangey) that's under the top part of the motor is for... When I opened it (before draining), some of the beaucoup oil saw it's chance to pour out, making the emergency putting-back-on-of-the-cap an absolute experience in vaudeville...the only thing missing was the theme to Benny Hill to yakety-sax things up!

What the heck is that little screw plug for? My machine is a Model 5024, Two-stage. Like I said, I looked and looked at the manual, and was left clueless...er.

Well, everything you all tell is gold, so if you've any more thoughts for me, please share them, as I'm better off for your advice, and very much grateful for your help!



                                                           Thanks again,  VERY MUCH!


                                                                  The Old Clunker, Fred





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The only place oil can leak at the bottom is from one of the drain holes (if it has more than one).   Chances are you have residual oil dripping down.  When the engine is warm, the oil seeps down.  It should clear up after a while.  If not, check the tightness of your drain plugs. 

Regarding the plastic plug,  you'll have to be a bit more specific.  What type of engine is it?  Are you referring to the filler/inspection caps at the engine base?  Sometimes there are two of them.  My B&S has two filler/inspection caps at the bottom as well as filler cap at the top.  All caps are yellow.   How about posting a picture?