question about crankcase dipstick oil level BX23D

[Tractor Gal]

Totally puzzled on this...yes, I know it is basic but something is amiss...probably me. Anyway, I changed the oil and filter today in the BX23D. The manual calls for 2.6 qts to refill when the filter is changed with the oil. So, I put 2.6 qts of new synthetic oil into the machine, looked at the dipstick and just a titch of oil showed at the bottom of the dipstick. OK, I said to myself, start it up, let it run a moment, shut if off and re-check. After doing that, I am not getting and the oil level showing between the two small holes on the dipstick. Nothing has leaked out after the change at the filter or changing bolt.

I looked at the dipstick part number, checked on Messick's engine diagram page and it is the right dipstick. I don't want to add more oil to get a correct reading since more oil than required would create another problem.

Does anyone have some help? This is a 2004 BX23D. Thanks to anyone willing to go back to square 1 of basic engine care.

Tractor Gal

 

[Runs With Scissors]

I don't know your motor, but 2 things come to mind.

1. If its a "push and pull" style dipstick, The dipstick my need to pushed harder to "seat it" properly. Hence it may not have been pushed in far enough.

2. If its a "screw in" style, I have seen it work 2 ways on different motors. One way is to wipe it off and you have to screw it in all the way in to re-check it, the other way is to just stick the dipstick in until the first thread touches and pull it out and check it.

 

[Runs With Scissors]

I just remembered that "back in the day" there were some motors that would accept 2 different filters....a long one, and a short one.

Both were perfectly fine to use, but if you used the longer one, you had to add a 'skosh' more oil.

I think it was Ford, and maybe Mopar, but after 25,431 Rum and Cokes, I cant recall exactly.....

I don't know if Kubota ever did that though.

Edit: I was always taught to go by the dipstick though.....The manual be damned.....(within reason of course.)

 

[Flintknapper]

OEM oil filter? (Correct filter and capacity)?

The reason I ask....is because if an aftermarket Oil Filter is used, it can have a slightly different capacity owing to physical size and the filter media (number of pleats and construction can retain more oil).

In any case...on all my equipment I use the Oil Capacity listed in the manual as a 'Guide'. The Dip Stick gets the Final Say.

Your approach was exactly correct (double check everything, start engine momentarily and recheck level). The reason for the disparity....I can not say, except to offer the filter capacity. But rest assured....being a 'little' over or under capacity is of no concern.

EDIT: I see RWS beat me to it, while I was typing.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

The manuals are almost never right, go by the dipstick reading.

 

[Tractor Gal]

I don't know your motor, but 2 things come to mind.

1. If its a "push and pull" style dipstick, The dipstick my need to pushed harder to "seat it" properly. Hence it may not have been pushed in far enough.

2. If its a "screw in" style, I have seen it work 2 ways on different motors. One way is to wipe it off and you have to screw it in all the way in to re-check it, the other way is to just stick the dipstick in until the first thread touches and pull it out and check it.

Thanks, Runs. It is push and pull and it is firmly seated. Your thoughts are good and I thank you. By the way, this is a D905E engine, if that helps for a solution.

TG

 

[armylifer]

Here is a video on servicing your model tractor. Start at the 14 minute mark for how much oil to add. He says to add until the oil is at the full mark on the dipstick.

 

[Henro]

I would like wolfman says, trust the dip stick. Apparently the dip stick has served the tractor well over more than a decade...why question it!

OK...I get overthink...do it myself all the time...LOL

 

[JimDeL]

Quarts or Liters? There's a difference.

My BX2380 takes about a pint more oil than what the owner's manual says it should. The WSM has the right amount, though. Obviously measured/written by two different people.

 

[Tractor Gal]

OK, gentlemen, I understand. The dipstick is the final say. In the video, the actual amount used to fill was never mentioned. I know I have put the 2.6 qts. I'll keep adding until the top hole in the dipstick is reached.
Thanks for the advice. But now, I will continually question the manual!

TG

 

[fc1]

Real-world fluid capacities? (L3940)

My new-to-me L3940 is at 600h (I got it at abt 520). Because I've no way of knowing if the major 400h service was done I'm doing it now, including front axle, engine oil, HST fluid, and coolant. Thus far, none of the capacities listed in the OM are close to correct. Front axle capacity is...

www.orangetractortalks.com

 

[85Hokie]

My info says 3.3 quarts of oil in crankcase.............. never ever seen it listed in the 2+ range !

 

[GeoHorn]

Not familiar with your specific model….but some machines capture a significant amount of oil in the head and passageways for a considerable period of time after being run. Wait an hour after an oil-change / start-up …Then check that dipstick again.

Comments about erroneous info in manuals are certainly valid. Not a Kubota, but I had an asphalt compactor which specified 2.8 qts…. when the ACTUAL capacity was GALLONS. Oriental translations can be tricky.

 

[Tractor Gal]

Picture from manual to valide NIW statement about manuals are often wrong and to show that I am able to read.

 

[Flintknapper]

Picture from manual to valide NIW statement about manuals are often wrong and to show that I am able to read.

View attachment 140175

We believed you from the start. And yes, you read it correctly. Smart of you to check though.

 

[RCW]

@Tractor Gal - I changed the oil in my BX2360 just now. Same engine as yours.

I fill it to full on the dipstick, or pretty close - don’t overfill.

Thinking it took a little less than 3 quarts. (I started with a partial gallon jug, so not sure exact amount)

About 3 quarts is pretty much the normal for mine and I’ve had it 11 years, so changed oil many times.

After a short idle I get this on the dipstick. Pretty close to full and guessing shortage is the volume of the filter. Close enough for me.

 

[MapleLeafFarmer]

Picture from manual to valide NIW statement about manuals are often wrong and to show that I am able to read.

View attachment 140175

in grade school for diesels we were taught to prefill our filters and measure total oil out in the drain pans.

So if this is still the case then 2.6l in the crankcase PLUS the oil to prefill the filter so maybe 3litres total??

regardless I always measure my oil out when I change oil on the machines to know how much to add in. Just way to many motors of different ages / different variations with possible non OEM filters etc... making it a little risky to trust the small print in manuals. Manuals provide great advice but trust definitively??? maybe not to to too many variables.

much like coolent amounts as cabbed models with heat and A/C always take more than variations that came w/o cab.

 

[D2Cat]

@Tractor Gal - I changed the oil in my BX2360 just now. Same engine as yours.

I fill it to full on the dipstick, or pretty close - don’t overfill.

Thinking it took a little less than 3 quarts. (I started with a partial gallon jug, so not sure exact amount)

About 3 quarts is pretty much the normal for mine and I’ve had it 11 years, so changed oil many times.

After a short idle I get this on the dipstick. Pretty close to full and guessing shortage is the volume of the filter. Close enough for me.

View attachment 140188

RCW, you need a little more filth on that machine!!

 

[DustyRusty]

in grade school for diesels we were taught to prefill our filters and measure total oil out in the drain pans.

So if this is still the case then 2.6l in the crankcase PLUS the oil to prefill the filter so maybe 3litres total??

regardless I always measure my oil out when I change oil on the machines to know how much to add in. Just way to many motors of different ages / different variations with possible non OEM filters etc... making it a little risky to trust the small print in manuals. Manuals provide great advice but trust definitively??? maybe not to to too many variables.

much like coolent amounts as cabbed models with heat and A/C always take more than variations that came w/o cab.

It has a horizontal filter. Mighty difficult to fill the filter with oil unless you stand the tractor up on the front end.

 

[Tractor Gal]

Good info, everyone. All I know at this point is to "follow the dipstick." But, I am surprised that the manual would not be correct. What other discrepancies exist for things without a dipstick?

TG