Where is the oil going?

[H-DK]

I have a 2006 LT2700-60D with the 27HP Generac engine, Model 0050581 and Serial 7818389. I fill with oil before mowing, and the oil level after 2.5 hours of mowing does not even register on the dipstick. No external signs of a leak. I assume it must be burning it, but no exhaust smoke or loss of power. I've been using Mobil One 10w30 for years without issue. Upped to 20w50 with no success, in fact it may be a little worse. Other than burning, I don't have a clue as to what it may be. It's always used a little oil, but not like this. Any ideas?

 

[mikekir]

Just a guess but check the main seal on the bottom. Oil may leak out there and then get slung away. You'll see a little on the pulley.

 

[H-DK]

Thanks for the reply. Yeah, I thought of that, but have seen no oil. I'll look again.

 

[hlw49]

That is a lot of oil in such a short time. That engine holds 2.4 quarts of oil. If you want to save it you should check it more often. Running it below the add mark is dangerious. You are basically using half the oil in that length of time. You should do a compression test and a cylinder leak down test. To try and determine where the oil is going. It looks like using that much oil in that short of a time you would see some sign of where it is going. Does it have an oil drain hose on it and maybe the cap on the end of the hose is loose and leaking and you don't see where it is going.

 

[H-DK]

Oil drain hose cap is secure - no indication of oil leakage there. That was a good thought though.

 

[slomo]

Using it like you are, no wonder she has a drinking problem. Fix the oil issue before using it. Or as others said stop and add oil say at 30 minute intervals.

Agree with hlw49, leak down and compression test. With the door open, fire it up in the garage. Should be able to smell it burning oil. Or maybe start with the door closed until you start smelling exhaust then open the door. Take a white paper towel. Cover the muffler outlet. See if any oil splatter or smoke emit.

Next trick is dye in the oil.

 

[Tiger Small Engine]

I have a 2006 LT2700-60D with the 27HP Generac engine, Model 0050581 and Serial 7818389. I fill with oil before mowing, and the oil level after 2.5 hours of mowing does not even register on the dipstick. No external signs of a leak. I assume it must be burning it, but no exhaust smoke or loss of power. I've been using Mobil One 10w30 for years without issue. Upped to 20w50 with no success, in fact it may be a little worse. Other than burning, I don't have a clue as to what it may be. It's always used a little oil, but not like this. Any ideas?

Pressure wash the entire mower and look for where the engine is leaking. You need to locate and fix the leak. If you can’t fix it, take it to a shop. If it were using that much oil in that short of time, it would be smoking like a freight train. Just a matter of time before you forget to add oil and it destroys the engine.

 

[H-DK]

I have a 2006 LT2700-60D with the 27HP Generac engine, Model 0050581 and Serial 7818389. I fill with oil before mowing, and the oil level after 2.5 hours of mowing does not even register on the dipstick. No external signs of a leak. I assume it must be burning it, but no exhaust smoke or loss of power. I've been using Mobil One 10w30 for years without issue. Upped to 20w50 with no success, in fact it may be a little worse. Other than burning, I don't have a clue as to what it may be. It's always used a little oil, but not like this. Any ideas?

Pressure wash the entire mower and look for where the engine is leaking. You need to locate and fix the leak. If you can’t fix it, take it to a shop. If it were using that much oil in that short of time, it would be smoking like a freight train. Just a matter of time before

you forget to add oil and it destroys the engine.

I have a 2006 LT2700-60D with the 27HP Generac engine, Model 0050581 and Serial 7818389. I fill with oil before mowing, and the oil level after 2.5 hours of mowing does not even register on the dipstick. No external signs of a leak. I assume it must be burning it, but no exhaust smoke or loss of power. I've been using Mobil One 10w30 for years without issue. Upped to 20w50 with no success, in fact it may be a little worse. Other than burning, I don't have a clue as to what it may be. It's always used a little oil, but not like this. Any ideas?

All good suggestions. Thanks! I'm leaning now towards the bottom seal being shot, but I don’t understand why I don't see any oil. I'm going to clean it up and check again. The engine has less than 700 hours on it. I can't fix the seal myself, so it's off to the shop if that's the issue. Wonder what that'll cost.

 

[H-DK]

That is a lot of oil in such a short time. That engine holds 2.4 quarts of oil. If you want to save it you should check it more often. Running it below the add mark is dangerious. You are basically using half the oil in that length of time. You should do a compression test and a cylinder leak down test. To try and determine where the oil is going. It looks like using that much oil in that short of a time you would see some sign of where it is going. Does it have an oil drain hose on it and maybe the cap on the end of the hose is loose and leaking and you don't see where it is going.

Shaft by bottom seal is dry and the pully is dusty, but dry. No sign of fresh oil around valve covers or oil filter. Paper towel test shows no sign of oil. There is no burning oil smell and no smoke. Still stumped.

 

[StarTech]

Depending how the oil is loss. If loss by burning due a blown head gasket it may not smoke as modern oils just smoke like the old oils did.

Which Generac engine do you have as the IPL only showing a vertical engine but no specs on it.