16hp V-Twin in Cub Cadet, low oil light on

[grobinson]

Hello,

I have a Cub Cadet 2165 with the B&S 16hp V-Twin engine, about 600 hours on it. Mowing yesterday the low oil light came on and I shut it down as soon as I noticed it, the oil level on the dip stick is okay and the engine starts and runs well. Thinking it might be the sensor, I removed it from the engine and started it to confirm oil pressure, no oil came out of the hole where the sensor was mounted. Now I am concerned the oil pump is not working. When I started the engine without the sensor, it was for a short time at low RPM, does it take time for this engine to develop oil pressure?

If it is the oil pump, any direction on where it is located and how to get to it would be helpful.

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[mechanic mark]

First verify oil filter is not stopped up by removing filter & draining oil, inspect filter visually, use B&S replacement filter only. Also check air filter for replacement. If Vanguard engine use quality 5w30 full synthetic oil, Valvoline, Pennzoil, etc. 48 oz.

http://www.cubcadet.info/Manuels/1998/Tracteurs/13a268-model-2165-(98)-Parts.pdf see pages 24 & 25 item 86 part # 807644 if oil pump is needed.

http://rich.homeunix.com/gravely/pro16/272144 Vanguard Twin Cylinder OHV BRIGGS & STRATTON.pdf engine repair manual

https://www.amazon.com/Briggs-Stratton-491657S-Pressure-Replaces/dp/B002WNYB6C Try this first, purchase new oil pressure switch, part number 491657, change oil & filter as well as air filter & pre [foam] filter if needed, if you did not hear obvious knocking & rattling engine noise you should be ok. Also adjust valves to specs. in manual, page 23, with engine cold. Let us know how it goes.

 

[grobinson]

Thanks Mark,

I will change the oil and filter tonight and let you know if this resolves the issue.

Question, if it is the filter, does the engine bypass the filter and maintain lubrication? I am not sure how long the light was on before I noticed it, hoping I did not hurt the motor...

Thanks...

 

[grobinson]

I did the oil and filter change last night, there were no obvious issues with the old filter. The light remained on, removed the sensor and started the engine and no oil came from the sensor mounting hole. I removed the valve covers and started the engine, little if any oil was flowing to the valve train. I removed the oil filter mount from the engine and started it again, a small amount of oil would occasionally come from the front hole but it was not much. Leaning towards the oil pump as the issue, any other ideas? Are oil pump failures common on this engine?

If it is the oil pump, can I leave the engine in the tractor and just remove the front cover to get to the oil pump? Are there any other wear items I should replace if I take the front cover off the engine?

Thanks....

 

[darrinster]

I did the oil and filter change last night, there were no obvious issues with the old filter. The light remained on, removed the sensor and started the engine and no oil came from the sensor mounting hole. I removed the valve covers and started the engine, little if any oil was flowing to the valve train. I removed the oil filter mount from the engine and started it again, a small amount of oil would occasionally come from the front hole but it was not much. Leaning towards the oil pump as the issue, any other ideas? Are oil pump failures common on this engine?

If it is the oil pump, can I leave the engine in the tractor and just remove the front cover to get to the oil pump? Are there any other wear items I should replace if I take the front cover off the engine?

Thanks....

Post model/type number.

 

[grobinson]

The engine model number is 303447-1147-A1...

Thanks....

 

[mechanic mark]

Have you removed & inspected air filter as I posted above? I am not aware of oil pump failures on B&S Vanguard engines. If oil pump is culprit engine will have to be removed, disassembled, all parts cleaned & inspected for wear before reassembly. If your air filter is oil soaked you probably have blown head gaskets.

 

[grobinson]

Hi Mark, I did not check the air filter yet, maybe to focused on the lack of oil pressure and the engine starts and runs well with no smoke. I will check it tonight and reply back. I assume if the filter is oil soaked, it is a head gasket issue? If it is a head gasket, would this cause my lack of oil pressure? I will check compression and plugs as well...

Thanks again for your help...

 

[grobinson]

I checked the air filter, it is dry and clean. I pulled the plugs, they are dirty but not oily wet. Compression on both cylinders was 165. During the compression check, I still have the oil filter mount off the engine, it spit a small amount of oil onto the front tire.

Any ideas?

 

[grobinson]

Just following up, any ideas? Hoping to not have to open up the engine but not sure this can be avoided at this point. Is 165 compression good for this engine? The engine runs great, good idle, no smoke, etc. but with no oil pressure it's days/hours are numbered unless I can find the issue. Should I take the heads off first to inspect the head gaskets or the front cover to check out the oil pump, maybe both?

Thanks....