Ifixoldjunk 778 #1 Posted January 17, 2022 (edited) so ever since I’ve owned my 310-8, I’ve been plagued with what appears to be condensation forming in side my engine. after the initial wipe and re-dip it mostly goes away save for a little discoloration here and there. I’ve seen engines with water in the oil before. And this is pretty minor compared to that. My question is would you even be concerned about this? It’s been a constant issue since I’ve owned it. forgot to mention, this is only a problem when it starts to dip below 40 outside. It’ll go all year long with perfectly clean oil until it gets a little chilly Edited January 17, 2022 by Ifixoldjunk 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SylvanLakeWH 25,598 #2 Posted January 17, 2022 Never had that on my C 105… hhhmmm. Stored inside? Any exposure to elements? Is it consistent winter / summer? ie. cold / warm ambient temps? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ifixoldjunk 778 #3 Posted January 17, 2022 Just now, SylvanLakeWH said: Never had that on my C 105… hhhmmm. Stored inside? Any exposure to elements? Is it consistent winter / summer? ie. cold / warm ambient temps? It lives in a insulated garage. Not heated though. This only starts to become an issue when it’s cold out 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SylvanLakeWH 25,598 #4 Posted January 17, 2022 While you were responding I checked mine. No such issue… and it’s been cold here in Michigan!!! looks like water issue / condensation to me… I run 30 wt rotella. Year round. What oil do you use? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ifixoldjunk 778 #5 Posted January 17, 2022 3 minutes ago, SylvanLakeWH said: While you were responding I checked mine. No such issue… and it’s been cold here in Michigan!!! looks like water issue / condensation to me… I run 30 wt rotella. Year round. What oil do you use? I use some master mechanic brand 10w30 for winter, and same brand SAE-30 for warmer seasons. Pretty regular changes too 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RED-Z06 2,221 #6 Posted January 17, 2022 We see this alot in engines thst are short run...it takes about 20 minutes of full power running to get the oil up to temperature and only then will it begin to boil off condensation, a good hard hour every now and then should be enough to keep it from accumulating. Where i used to work we would crank a few mowers in the morning to put them out and in the evening to bring them in...if a mower did this for a few months we might get a few ounces of unburned fuel and condensation buildup and the oil looked like milkshake 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rjg854 11,378 #7 Posted January 17, 2022 The 12 HP I have in my Raider does the same thing. All last winter it was like that. I noticed it's doing it again. It's a fresh oil change just before winter. None of my other tractors are like that. 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ifixoldjunk 778 #8 Posted January 17, 2022 1 minute ago, rjg854 said: The 12 HP I have in my Raider does the same thing. All last winter it was like that. I noticed it's doing it again. It's a fresh oil change just before winter. None of my other tractors are like that. You ever have any problems come from that? I’m kinda afraid to run mine with the oil constantly getting condensation in it. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rjg854 11,378 #9 Posted January 17, 2022 No problems at all, runs fine, I don't notice any effects. I wondering if it might have something to do with the crankcase breathing properly, now that I think about it. The front of that engine is pretty dirty. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ifixoldjunk 778 #10 Posted January 17, 2022 5 minutes ago, rjg854 said: No problems at all, runs fine, I don't notice any effects. I wondering if it might have something to do with the crankcase breathing properly, now that I think about it. The front of that engine is pretty dirty. That might be it. I’ll have to check mine 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 41,150 #11 Posted January 17, 2022 Cold air cannot hold as much moisture as warm air. The moisture will condense on cold metal. Really see this issue when there are wide temperature swings in a short period of time. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ifixoldjunk 778 #12 Posted January 17, 2022 29 minutes ago, squonk said: Cold air cannot hold as much moisture as warm air. The moisture will condense on cold metal. Really see this issue when there are wide temperature swings in a short period of time. “Wide temperature swings” just about described life as a upstate New Yorker 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SylvanLakeWH 25,598 #13 Posted January 17, 2022 Simple Fix… more seat time, longer running of engine, problem solved… 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rjg854 11,378 #14 Posted January 17, 2022 34 minutes ago, squonk said: Cold air cannot hold as much moisture as warm air. The moisture will condense on cold metal. Really see this issue when there are wide temperature swings in a short period of time. Seems odd if that was true because it only happens to one certain tractor. And not to the other 4 in the same conditions in the same building. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SylvanLakeWH 25,598 #15 Posted January 17, 2022 Seems odd… I’ve never seen it in my 10 hp kohler and Michigan is similar (although obviously Superior) to New York… major temp swings… 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wheelhorse#1 1,667 #16 Posted January 17, 2022 Condensation.Run it more and harder get it up to temp. 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ifixoldjunk 778 #17 Posted January 17, 2022 12 minutes ago, rjg854 said: Seems odd if that was true because it only happens to one certain tractor. And not to the other 4 in the same conditions in the same building. Yeah. I have a bolens 1050 parked right next to it. And I’ve never seen any condensation in it 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Kennell 38,210 #18 Posted January 18, 2022 I see this condensation in my 312H. It is kept in a heated garage. I do use it as my wood hauler and I leave it running while I load the trailer. So it's probably running outside once a week for 30 minutes then back in the heated garage. Guess I'll start taking a 1 hour trail ride when I bring in the wood. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
8ntruck 7,016 #19 Posted January 18, 2022 I saw the same thing in the V twin in my Generac back up generator when I changed the oil this fall. It normally runs 10 minutes a week in an operational self check. I'm suspecting in cooler weather, it does not get hot enough to cook the condensation out. I wonder if a crankcase heater on a timer would help? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kpinnc 12,083 #20 Posted January 18, 2022 Does the dipstick have an o-ring at the top? Not trying to be a wise a$$, just wondering. Some did, some didn't. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 41,150 #21 Posted January 18, 2022 7 hours ago, kpinnc said: Does the dipstick have an o-ring at the top? Not trying to be a wise a$$, just wondering. Some did, some didn't. Yup. Air with moisture in it gets in where it can. Try swapping the dipstick with another tractor and see if the issue moves to the other one. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 41,150 #22 Posted January 18, 2022 How often do you check the oil on your cars? You'll find it there too. Not really a big deal. Engine runs and breathes. When it shuts off and cools, moisture in the air inside the engine will condense. The only 2 ways to avoid it are keep the engine very warm or move to Arizona. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
giddyap 1,569 #23 Posted January 22, 2022 On 1/17/2022 at 5:22 PM, Ifixoldjunk said: I’m kinda afraid to run mine with the oil constantly getting condensation in it. My 314-8 has the same problem condition. I bought it used with a 1000 hours and after 2 oil changes the slime remains. It would be nice to know what causes it but I'm not worried 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
giddyap 1,569 #24 Posted January 22, 2022 I found this complaint on a Generac Generator trouble shooting forum and the consensus is related to running time. Milky oil became common in the newer units with a "exericise" time of 5 min per week when the older models were 12 minutes per week. One comment said the condensation burned off after the unit ran for 2.5 hours under load but my condensation remained after pushing snow for 2 hours. I will live with it and consider it one of life's many mysteries. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peter lena 8,634 #25 Posted January 22, 2022 @Ifixoldjunk , think you answered your own question , with run time and outside temp, longer run time , I usually add in my PTO LEVER DRIVE , to with added engine work , not much , but try to thoroughly get it hot , use all my gears , drive in reverse ,etc. the hotter and longer the run the less condensation you will have . also agree with relatively fresh oil , just regularly run them to keep them up to date . always verify total operation function at that time too. that oil type incandescent bulb , in reflector under my engines also helps to keep it warm over winter , thats only me , pete 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
