Burning oil

eod99

New member
Jul 20, 2024
5
2
3
Tennessee
I have a 781 with kawasaki fuel injected engine with 250ish hours burning oil. Approximately 1qt between services, no leaks but I do see blue smoke at times from exhaust. Dealership is saying that my hills are to steep and causing it to burn oil. The hills in question are about 20 degrees is that enough to cause this?
 

The Evil Twin

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L2501, LA526,
Jul 19, 2022
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Burn and starve. Depending on which side is high.
Oil starvation can also lead to oil burning through increased wear.
 
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D2Cat

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Lifetime Member

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L305DT, B7100HST, TG1860, TG1860D, L4240
Mar 27, 2014
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40 miles south of Kansas City
That is the reason Lawn Boy push mowers were so long lasting. They could be used on any slope and the engine always had oil..... it was in the gas!
 
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eod99

New member
Jul 20, 2024
5
2
3
Tennessee
Burn and starve. Depending on which side is high.
Oil starvation can also lead to oil burning through increased wear.
The hills are 15 to 20 degrees and I change direction every lap, just seems odd my carb kawasaki on 54 inch kubota never used drop in 4 years on same hills
 

lmichael

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Equipment
Kubota G2160
Apr 23, 2021
609
265
63
Rockford IL area
Years ago we had a neighbor who bought Sears Crapsman Lawn tractor. (vertical shaft engine). He was kind of a strange old bird (nice enough guy though). He'd run that thing flat out screaming engine but in the slowest gear. So, there he is engine screaming and just creeping along. We have steep culverts. And when he mowed in there same thing. Screaming at top end, tilted over and you would just hear the engine come to screeching halt.
He had the Sears extended warranty. He'd call Sears, they would come out, slap a new engine in and he'd be on his way again.
 
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lynnmor

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B2601-1
May 3, 2021
1,452
1,172
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Red Lion
Years ago we had a neighbor who bought Sears Crapsman Lawn tractor. (vertical shaft engine). He was kind of a strange old bird (nice enough guy though). He'd run that thing flat out screaming engine but in the slowest gear. So, there he is engine screaming and just creeping along. We have steep culverts. And when he mowed in there same thing. Screaming at top end, tilted over and you would just hear the engine come to screeching halt.
He had the Sears extended warranty. He'd call Sears, they would come out, slap a new engine in and he'd be on his way again.
But he does make great decisions, there is no need to buy a high priced machine since he will destroy anything he gets.
 
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The Evil Twin

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Equipment
L2501, LA526,
Jul 19, 2022
2,866
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113
Virginia
The hills are 15 to 20 degrees and I change direction every lap, just seems odd my carb kawasaki on 54 inch kubota never used drop in 4 years on same hills
It may or may not be the problem. Could be a an intake valve guide leaking. Could be a wiped ring.
I can't say for 100% certainty, but I think the Kawi motors have oil pressure switches. So if you starve it they'll cut off. I could be wrong on that.
 
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eod99

New member
Jul 20, 2024
5
2
3
Tennessee
It may or may not be the problem. Could be a an intake valve guide leaking. Could be a wiped ring.
I can't say for 100% certainty, but I think the Kawi motors have oil pressure switches. So if you starve it they'll cut off. I could be wrong on that.
Yeah I believe its a ring or valve issuse. Kubota swears it's 1st one they ever heard of. I believe they trying to get out of warranty but with Kubota insurance and warranty I'm not going to stop until they fix or replace it
 
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The Evil Twin

Well-known member

Equipment
L2501, LA526,
Jul 19, 2022
2,866
2,915
113
Virginia
Yeah I believe its a ring or valve issuse. Kubota swears it's 1st one they ever heard of. I believe they trying to get out of warranty but with Kubota insurance and warranty I'm not going to stop until they fix or replace it
I can't count the times I've heard people have a dealer tell them that. Definitely don't give up.
 
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