Oil Leak in a 1864 Cub Cadet

Indication

• If you don’t see a puddle of oil near your mower, there are signs that can indicate an internal oil leak. If the 1864 starts to smoke when you start up, chances are there is oil inside the combustion chamber or exhaust. The maintenance schedule reads that you should check the oil levels before use. If the dipstick reads “full” and a few days later significant oil is gone, it’s possible there is a leak somewhere. A “low oil” indicator on the dashboard also alerts that your oil is nearly empty.

Overfill

• One cause for an oil leak is overfilling the crank case. The Kohler engine can hold approximately four pints of oil. If oil in excess of that is added to the engine, the overflow will spill into the combustion chamber. Any oil that doesn’t ignite upon engine start will spill into the exhaust and muffler area, causing black smoke. Always ensure the engine is cold before adding oil. When servicing oil, pour oil in slowly and periodically check the oil level to see if it reads “full."

Slope

• When servicing or operating your 1864 Cub Cadet, pay attention to the slope you are on. The operator’s manual warns that operating on a slope greater than 15 degrees can damage the engine. Part of this damage can happen from oil spilling from the crankcase and into the combustion chamber. Large oil quantities into the combustion chamber can cause overheating inside the engine and backflow into the breather tube.

External Inspection

• An external inspection can reveal other possible oil leak sources. Wipe down all surfaces and run the engine to identify possible leak points. If you’ve operated your Cub Cadet 1864 over rough terrain or with the engine cover and side panels off, damage to the crank case can cause a crack that will leak oil. Also inspect the oil filter, drain tube and fill cap to ensure they are tightly closed, especially after recent servicing.