Oil Plug fell out on new l2501

[Happyphilter]

This just happened yesterday.

New l2501 with 5hrs on the engine. I have used the tractor mostly for disking and running a flail mower. After a short flail session yesterday, I parked the tractor and heard leaking noises, I jumped off and looked under the tractor and sure enough there was oil leaking onto the ground. I hadn't noticed any changes with the tractor's operation.

I called the dealership and they offered to replace parts and inspect the tractor, splitting half the cost. Now I'm wondering how this could have happened. I may have hit something, but the land is mostly dirt with some small rocks and then overgrown pasture which I've been clearing, could a rock knock this loose?

Today I used my metal detector to try to locate the bolt but didn't have any luck, I did however find where the oil blow-out started. In my estimation it ran either 100 or 200 meters (depending on what pass I was on) before shutting it down.

What am I in for here? I do have insurance through KTAC.

 

[Trash Panda]

With 5 hours on the unit, I’d be up my dealers ass about covering 100% of all cost.

That is just unacceptable.

KTAC will cover any and all damages, after the deductible is paid, but it really shouldn’t come down to that. This is fully on the dealer that did the prep work on the unit before delivery.

 

[GeoHorn]

With 5 hours on the unit, I’d be up my dealers ass about covering 100% of all cost.

That is just unacceptable.

KTAC will cover any and all damages, after the deductible is paid, but it really shouldn’t come down to that. This is fully on the dealer that did the prep work on the unit before delivery.

YEP!

Did the oil pressure warning activate? If not… not likely any damage. But if so…. KTAC needs to be notified for sure.

 

[Happyphilter]

YEP!

Did the oil pressure warning activate? If not… not likely any damage. But if so…. KTAC needs to be notified for sure.

No oil light indicator. I called KTAC Claims dept. and they said get it to the Dealer and if any work needs to be done then contact them; should I be talking to someone else?

 

[Trash Panda]

No oil light indicator. I called KTAC Claims dept. and they said get it to the Dealer and if any work needs to be done then contact them; should I be talking to someone else?

You need to be talking to the dealer, and the dealer alone. There is no way that I’d be paying a dime for repairs on a unit with 5 hours. Drain plugs don’t just vibrate loose in that time frame, and this is clearly negligence on the prep team. The manager of the dealer is who I would be talking to. No need to involve KTAC here.

Luckily, the W pan on the unit probably saved you from any damage, especially if the oil pressure light never came on.

 

[Fordtech86]

Are those just there from the camera flash (besides the loader mount)?

 

[lynnmor]

I doubt that the dealer, or any dealer, ever touches an oil drain plug on a new tractor. Usually that plug is difficult to remove at the first oil change, but this one was left loose from the factory.

 

[Happyphilter]

View attachment 109035

Are those just there from the camera flash (besides the loader mount)?

The camera flash adds a lot, but there is a scrape there. From what I don't know since all I have is tall grass with saplings and dirt (what you see in the other picture). I do have some mounds from perk testing in a few placed but its clay piles with small rocks mixed in. I can't think of anything notable I would have hit.

 

[ve9aa]

My only comment was that even if Sasquatch himself kicked the underbelly of your tractor I can't imagine a drain plug unscrewing itself.

If anything they're generally on there "too tight".

Sorry this happened to you.

 

[Fordtech86]

I can't think of anything notable I would have hit.

Was the tractor delivered to you when you bought it or did you pick it up from dealer? Any chance you looked around and under it before delivery? Probably a mute point at this time, but didn’t mean to make it sound like you did something. Without proof though that it was or wasn’t delivered like that it would be hard to make the case that it was . Agree with geo that if low oil pressure light didn’t come on, chances of engine damage likely pretty low. Documenting it with the dealer though and having them take care of it now though would probably be best in terms of warranty and KTAC in the future

 

[Runs With Scissors]

My only comment was that even if Sasquatch himself kicked the underbelly of your tractor I can't imagine a drain plug unscrewing itself.

If anything they're generally on there "too tight".

Sorry this happened to you.

I concur.

I've been a mechanic for 40 years in some capacity or another, and there ain't no way that drain plug got "knocked off" or "hit" or anything else.

It was, flat out, not put in tightly enough, buy Kubota or whomever.

I also agree that if the light never came on, you're probably good to go, but I sure would ask for some sort of extended warranty just in case.

Sh!tty situation for sure.

 

[mdhughes]

Is the other drain plug loose?

 

[jimh406]

They are usually painted on, so I agree having one back out is really odd. I think they only way that could happen is getting the engine really hot which is possible if the engine overheated while mowing on a hot day and radiator clogged.

KTAC should cover it even if some damage was done. Good luck.

 

[Happyphilter]

Is the other drain plug loose?

Nope. I have it a good wrenching snd i cant see how it could fall out even if something did strike it. On there real good.

At first service offered to replace oil and plug. I said that's fine if they can guarantee any future claims made through KTAC wouldent be denied because I ran a potentially damaged machine. They are now going to pick it up and inspect it.

 

[Runs With Scissors]

Nope. I have it a good wrenching snd i cant see how it could fall out even if something did strike it. On there real good.

At first service offered to replace oil and plug. I said that's fine if they can guarantee any future claims made through KTAC wouldent be denied because I ran a potentially damaged machine. They are now going to pick it up and inspect it.

Thats good, but that doesn't answer your question. (a perfectly legitimate question too)

After the engine warranty expires, will KTAC pay for you " simply having internal engine problems?"

For instance, if my injector pump fails 6 months after the factory warranty expires, will they pay to fix it? I honestly don't know for sure, but I think not.

I have KTAC and I understand they pay out for accidents, like if you roll it off a cliff or you smash your hood with a big rock that falls out of your bucket, but do they pay out for things "wearing out"?

 

[NorthwoodsLife]

This is the craziest situation I've seen. As others mentioned, oil drain plugs don't just "fall out".

Secondly, the scratches on the bottom of the picture are peculiar for a brand new tractor. These are not bulldozers, operate them accordingly.

Yet, I've never seen impacts causing a drain plug to fall out, or come loose. I've seen total destruction of the drain pan due to impacts, but not unscrewing the drain plug.

I'd ask for a new engine. Period.

 

[Trash Panda]

Thats good, but that doesn't answer your question. (a perfectly legitimate question too)

After the engine warranty expires, will KTAC pay for you " simply having internal engine problems?"

For instance, if my injector pump fails 6 months after the factory warranty expires, will they pay to fix it? I honestly don't know for sure, but I think not.

I have KTAC and I understand they pay out for accidents, like if you roll it off a cliff or you smash your hood with a big rock that falls out of your bucket, but do they pay out for things "wearing out"?

KTAC is blanket coverage for any and all issues, so long as you cough up the deductible, to my understanding.

 

[GeoHorn]

This is the craziest situation I've seen. As others mentioned, oil drain plugs don't just "fall out".

Secondly, the scratches on the bottom of the picture are peculiar for a brand new tractor. These are not bulldozers, operate them accordingly.

Yet, I've never seen impacts causing a drain plug to fall out, or come loose. I've seen total destruction of the drain pan due to impacts, but not unscrewing the drain plug.

I'd ask for a new engine. Period.

Asking for (and receiving it is doubtful) but I wouldn’t want the tractor disassembled by the locals over this. With the indications of oil still pouring/dribbling out that missing drain plug… and no low-oil-pressure indicatgion…. it’s most likely Zero damage has occurred. It was discovered in the “nick of time”.

Put a new plug in…torque it using a copper washer…put in the proper oil…and get on down the road.

 

[Runs With Scissors]

KTAC is blanket coverage for any and all issues, so long as you cough up the deductible, to my understanding.

Hmmm.....not sure........ but I'm bored, so I just emailed them and asked. I'll post their response when I get it.

I wouldn’t want the tractor disassembled by the locals over this.

I agree 100%.

I suspect their "inspection" will go like this.......them filling her up with oil and driving it around the yard a few times while listening for strange noises, then parking it.

MAYBE, cutting open the oil filter and inspecting that for debris, but I doubt it.

 

[RCW]

Your picture shows a decent amount of oil draining from the plug. You can see the oil trail in the field.

Since you caught it quickly, I think you're fine.

I certainly understand your apprehension.

I remember the Mobil 1 (?) TV commercials from the 80's (?) where they ran an engine dry of motor oil, and it ran for many hours......

Lubricants aren't what they were 40 or 50 years ago.