This can't be right...

[TheGardenMechanic]

So basically I have a nearly new ride on mower 16hp V-Twin Kawasaki FS481V and it has only done 20 hours since new in August 2012 but the oil is the colour of milky mud (see photo). I think it has got water mixed with it, that's why it's this light brown/milky colour but this can't be normal for such a new engine, can it?

Please can some suggest what could have happened here please? I have come across milky oil many times before but not with such a new engine...

Thanks!

 

[possum]

If it was not noticed when checking then on a new engine I would imagine it is the lube that was put in at the factory to provide startup lube and rust protection. The same crap came out of my Kohler Courage at 20 hours and to a bit lessor extent on my new Briggs Quantum. It never showed ugly on the stick on either one even when checked hot. Now on cold weather engines I have seen the milky water stuff in the bottom many times. You could send in a sample to be tested to be sure.

 

[chance123]

Often times when washing or hosing down a machine, water will get into the muffler. If the EX valve was open when the engine was last stopped, the water from the muffler will work its way into the engine sump. The same applies to water also getting into the air filter chamber where the breather is. I've seen it many times and the customer hasn't got a clue how it happened. Best bet is to check it often, and when changing the oil, "always" warm up the engine first, to suspend all the contaminents in the oil which will drain out.

 

[RobertBrown]

So basically I have a nearly new ride on mower 16hp V-Twin Kawasaki FS481V and it has only done 20 hours since new in August 2012 but the oil is the colour of milky mud (see photo). I think it has got water mixed with it, that's why it's this light brown/milky colour but this can't be normal for such a new engine, can it?

Please can some suggest what could have happened here please? I have come across milky oil many times before but not with such a new engine...

Thanks!

Water...is the only thing I know that will get oil that color, and I have never seen it in a crankcase. I've seen it in a gearbox, differential and transmission.
I would like to know how it is you've seen it before in older engines as I don't see what the age of the engine has to do with it.
Could it be that condensation is forming in your crankcase? It gets hot enough to boil water in there. I just don't see how it could be condensation unless you have extremely high humidity.
Did you take the hose to it or leave it out in the rain? Roof leak?....not likely, unless you left the cover off of the crankcase....sabotage? Got problem with your neighbor, wife jealous of your new mower?
Maybe it some kind of break-in oil?

That is an air cooled engine right?

 

[TheGardenMechanic]

Water...is the only thing I know that will get oil that color, and I have never seen it in a crankcase. I've seen it in a gearbox, differential and transmission.
I would like to know how it is you've seen it before in older engines as I don't see what the age of the engine has to do with it.
Could it be that condensation is forming in your crankcase? It gets hot enough to boil water in there. I just don't see how it could be condensation unless you have extremely high humidity.
Did you take the hose to it or leave it out in the rain? Roof leak?....not likely, unless you left the cover off of the crankcase....sabotage? Got problem with your neighbor, wife jealous of your new mower?
Maybe it some kind of break-in oil?

That is an air cooled engine right?

Correct, it's an air cooled engine. It is kept locked up undercover at all times (except when it's in use). I have seen milky oil in other engines many times where there is a milky build up but not quite this colour, this is the worst I have seen if it is water. It must be some kind of break in oil, like some other people suggested...I can't see how it could be so bad with such a small running time.

Thanks for everyone for their suggestions.

 

[christene]

Was it at a store that had it outside before you bought it? Did you change the oil after the first 5 hrs? And does it smell of gas at all? I have had a few of the newer Koehler carb leak over even newer ones. And since the ethanol fuel attracts about .2% of water a day it could be from that. I would change the oil and check regular to see. Just a suggestion.

 

[wjjones]

Was it at a store that had it outside before you bought it? Did you change the oil after the first 5 hrs? And does it smell of gas at all? I have had a few of the newer Koehler carb leak over even newer ones. And since the ethanol fuel attracts about .2% of water a day it could be from that. I would change the oil and check regular to see. Just a suggestion.

Yep first oil change should be done at the 5 hr mark, and condensation can add up in the engine quick.