K301 - oil level mystery
 

I have a k301 from a 1969 cc125. It has the dipstick inserting into a pipe from the top close to the sparkplug.

I was pretty sure its the original dipstick but its not contacting oil. I have the proper amount of oil in it. I also inserted a long wire as far as it would go and it didnt contact oil either!

What could be my issue? i am confused to say the least.

Ps i have the drainplug in too!

Is there a dipstick down by the points cover?

:TTWWP:

Ill try to get a photo up tommorow but no there isnt a dipstick on the points side. The other k301s ive seen has short dipstick on points sidelike your refering too ..... mine is on the opposite side and is long.

How much oil did you put in?

( I have two 125's with the long dipstick )

Approx a quart and a half i think. Whatever the user manual said.


Leads me to another question... i replaced a rounded off plug with a basic black iron 3/8 plug... like npt gas pipe... seems to be ok or do i need an oil plug with a lip or washer?

Correct amount of oil.

The plug you used is fine. NPT is tapered so it does not need a lip or washer.

Ok correct amount and plug holding it in... so wheres the oil?

Thinking i have the wrong dipstick i fished a wire down the tube and it came up dry too!

I'll measure my dipstick on my 125 tomorrow afternoon

Jeff

The oil might be there on dipstick..... Just hard to see. Especially fresh clean oil. And even more difficult when oil is hot.

I have that difficulty sometimes but I can see it. Just that it's hard to see on that shiny metal. I've often wonder if it be easier to see if the the dipstick was flat black or bead blasted.

Should be a part number on the dipstick.
Make note of it and compare to the parts look up info for for that model.

I thought the pipe was threaded on the crankcase but there are o-rings. Is this a replacement dipstick?

If I remove the tube and insert directly into crankcase, I can see a bit of oil but I just get a little dollop on the tip of the dipstick. I am certain I put the right amount in and the engine hasnt run for any significant amount of time since.

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mik125, what is the spec number on your engine tag? That should dictate the correct dipstick and tube.

im sorry, didnt realize there were so many variations. Unfortunately the tag on the engine is missing.

From your diagram it appears I have the offset tube like #12 or #14 and the stick is like 9,10 or 11 with a bullet like end, without a handle and screws into the tube.

In any case, how much oil should be visible in the bottom of the pan? Like enough to submerge the dipstick or just catch a bit on the tip?

I would fill it till it is on the mark shown on the dipstick.

I did not look this up but I believe with the screw in dipsticks you should be screwing the stick all the way down to check the level. Perhaps someone else knows for sure.

Maybe I will try a little more, I think the actual capacity is more than what is in the cub cadet manual. Of course I dont want to overfill though!

One other thing:

Heres a photo of the other side, it has a cover over the dipstick space for the shorter dipstick style. The cover with the two bolts to the right of it, what is that called? Theres oil seepage there and I assume I need a gasket. Im guessing that might be where a fuel pump could go?

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The shorter dipstick used a different cam gear cover and is incorporated into the design of that part.'
The cover you mention is for a different application that uses a mechanical fuel pump that is mounted in that location..
The seepage you mention looks to be coming from the breather assembly that probably, in all likely hood, should probably be serviced.
You can also adjust the valves while in there if they need it as you can access those with the breather removed.

the dip stick & tube in your pic. aren't original so who knows what they're from

Measured the dipstick on my 125 with the K301

14-3/4" from the end to the "cap" that fits in the tube

EDIT

Your tube and dipstick aren't even close to either of the ones on my 125s

Can i change styles to the one in the side next to the points cover?
Can that dipstick cover next to the points be removed without draining the oil?

Answer to question 1 is YES.
Answer to question 2 is YES (but what's the big deal about draining oil)

Question to you is this.... The engines that came with the cam cover dipstick did not have a hole in the engine block at the base of the cylinder for the dipstick tube,
so whatta ya gonna a do with that hole?

No big deal about drsining the oil i just didnt want to findout i had to after removing the cover. The cover needs a new gasket is why i was asking and i was thinking of cleaning it up.

As for that hole, thats a good question... since it isnt tapped i guess i could leave it in place as a fill tube or use an expansion plug. I guess i need a new dipstick in either case.so whichever one comes up cheapest.