Can't see engine oil level on 1997 Kohler 4 cycle

[nodsirrah]

I know why I can't read it, the oil is too clear. I got this a few months ago from my son in law, it was given to him from a friend who claimed it seized and would not start! A few weeks later I charged the battery and tried to turn it over, it did turn over but sounded strange. I drained the oil and it had 5 quarts of what smelled like gasoline! Google informed me that some of the older Craftsman with NIKKI carburetors had internal problems and since the gas is gravity fed it would continue to leak past the internal parts of the carburetor and into the crankcase. My 2006 Craftsman with a Kohler carburetor did the same thing about the same time as the 1997 Craftsman. So that is one thing we can't blame on the crummy NIKKI carburetor.
Now, the point of the story is there I was with 2 Craftsman tractors with fuel in the crankcase. I drained both engines and I ignored them for about a week while they "evaporated" the fuel while I turned them over a few turns every day and rebuilt both carburetors. Then I replaced the oil filters and oil. They both started and I let them run about 1/2 hour each and drained and replaced the oil and filters again. Now I have oil so clean I can't read the dipstick. I have run both engines quite a bit since that time with no problems although I do expect to be adding oil since I am sure there is some ring wear while using diluted oil.
Question, is there something (color) I can add to the oil so I can feel comfortable I don't have fuel running into the crankcase. I did add fuel cut-off valves to both fuel lines!
Finally, I have a question: What can I add to the oil so I can read the dipstick?

 

[dwendt44]

Some oils are darker than others. I've noticed that QS is darker than the
Valvoline I'm using.
Wal-mart oil (ST) is nearly clear.
Of course, Royal Purple is colored purple.
Not sure how long that lasts that way though.

My 2¢

 

[dwendt44]

Some oils are darker than others. I've noticed that QS is darker than the
Valvoline I'm using.
Wal-mart oil (ST) is nearly clear.
Of course, Royal Purple is colored purple.
Not sure how long that lasts that way though.
MMO is red. As are some Red Line oils.

My 2¢

 

[Warstud]

Get a roll of the Scott Shop Towels and place the dipstick on it.Then roll it away to reveal the wet spot.....then line up the dipstick markings with the wet spot.

 

[andyd]

Gassed oil will turn black as it leaves the inside of the engine squeaky clean. Dark oil has no bearing on lubricity. Unless it has a good amount of gas in it. It will smell of gas and run off the dip stick and show a high level. I use the shut off to run the carb dry after every use. This also prevents draining the gas into the sump.

 

[Rand]

install a fuel line shutoff = fixed on those gravity feed cheap riders.

EVERYONE of them will do it... eventually.

 

[jhellwig]

There are just some engines that will never get dark oil on the dipstick but when you drain them they are jet black.

My 318 is that way. The royal purple I have in it now shows up better. HDEO would also show up better as it is darker to begin with. Valvoline is clear. Pennzoil and Mobil are darker oils also.

 

[Warstud]

Originally Posted By: Rand
install a fuel line shutoff = fixed on those gravity feed cheap riders.

EVERYONE of them will do it... eventually.


Huh!

 

[bubbatime]

Put the dipstick at eye level horizontally, close to your face. You can see the oil sheen where the oil is. You don't need a dark colored oil to see the level, just a better technique. Rotate the dipstick slowly, and with the right light, you can see the oil sheen.

 

[bubbatime]

Originally Posted By: Warstud
Originally Posted By: Rand
install a fuel line shutoff = fixed on those gravity feed cheap riders.

EVERYONE of them will do it... eventually.


Huh!


He is saying that all gravity feed carburetor will eventually have this problem. The needle and seat deteriorates in the carb, which allows the entire fuel tank to drain into the oil. To fix the problem, and never have it happen again, install a fuel shutoff valve in the fuel line between the carburetor and the fuel tank.

 

[WhizkidTN]

Originally Posted By: bubbatime
Originally Posted By: Warstud
Originally Posted By: Rand
install a fuel line shutoff = fixed on those gravity feed cheap riders.

EVERYONE of them will do it... eventually.


Huh!


He is saying that all gravity feed carburetor will eventually have this problem. The needle and seat deteriorates in the carb, which allows the entire fuel tank to drain into the oil. To fix the problem, and never have it happen again, install a fuel shutoff valve in the fuel line between the carburetor and the fuel tank.


Good call. I have this on my bought used 1998 Snapper 30" with Kohler 14CV engine. I actually cut the fuel off after I'm done mowing and let the engine idle cooling off until it runs out of the remaining fuel in the carb bowel. Keeps gunk from my floats, etc. I should add that I only run 100% gas (E0), 89 octane fuel with Stabil added to the gas can. Always starts on the first pull.

 

[Trav]

if its a flat stick use a dremel to cut deeper lines in a crosshatch pattern in the correct level range, go a little above and below and drill a small hole right at the full mark.

 

[oldhp]

Lay the dip stick on a paper towel, don't move the stick, now you can see the oil level in relation to the low/full marks.

 

[ARCOgraphite]

If the engine does not have a filter, You could run a couple oz of Liquimoly. I have some in my generac chonda and it seems to like it.

I just wouldnt run a micropowder solid in a filtered pressure lubed CC.

I think I bought mine at a NAPA.