OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Repairs and Maintenance Questions on Engines Questions On Tecumseh / Kirby Engines Kirby-Lauson VK-30 4-stroke oil fill level?

The instruction manual and plaque on the crankcase are a bit vague about this. They say "Fill to the top with oil". But what do they mean? Surely they do not mean fill to the point of overflowing? Also, I notice the oil fill chamber is in two sections. I would be inclined to fill to the bottom thread on the top chamber that you can see in these photos. Bit I wonder if you would even need that much?

Can anyone who knows these engines well please provide a definite answer? This has been puzzling me ever since I took possession of this mower.

Hi vint-mow

My understanding has always been to the top of the filler (on level ground).

I am unsure whether the specs referred to UK or USA pints.
The VK30 took 1� pints.
For UK conversion this would be about 700mls.
For US conversion this would be about 600mls.

My best guess is that this US design took 600mls, and the AUS
specification was expressed in North American pints.

Hope this helps.
----------------------
Jack

Hi Ian and Jack,
The Villiers engine of the same design is fill to threads and do not overfill, if the measurement is 600ml I would go with that.

Thanks Paul and Jack, I will add a 1/4 pint or 600 mls and see what the level is. I'm guessing the oil will come to the bottom of the filler thread.

Jack, Are you sure it isn't 1 pint? The LV-30 manual says to add 1 pint. But I am not sure if the LV-30 differs from the VK-30, or if the abbreviation can be LVK-30 for that matter?

Hi Jack and Ian,

I thought 1pint was equal to 600ml?

Hi vint_mow and Paul
I have both a Kirby VK30 spec and a Kirby VK30 Operator manual.
Both say 1� pints.

The issue is, as said, did Kirby mean UK or USA pints.



Perhaps Gadge could help here.
In any case, 600ml would be a safe bet.

Cheers
---------------
Jack

Hi folks,
My 1977 Gregory's #103 Victa workshop manual says approximately one pint, for the VK30.

That would be an Imperial Pint, not US! We didn't know much about US units of measurement here, in those days. 1.25 US Pints is pretty close to 1 Imperial Pint, as a US Pint is 16 US Fluid Ounces.

In practice, the correct fill level for these, is just short of overflow.

We used to use the technique of fill to that level, then rock the crank so as to 'suck down' the oil, then allow it to stand a short time, to establish the true level.

G'day Gadge
Many thanks for the clarification on that.
The discrepancy between your later Gregory's and the Kirby docs
re oil capacity suggests that Kirby probably copied the USA documents,
whereas Gregory's converted capacity to Imperial.

I mean, 1 Imperial pint is = to 568mls;
1.25 US pints is = to 591mls
I understand that 600 ml is a nice, even measure for both.

For the record, I make available the specs, user and parts lists here:-

https://www.outdoorking-forum.com.au/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/86685/KIRBY_-_VK30_Engines.html#Post86685

Cheers
----------------
Jack

Many thanks for the clarification Jack and Gadge. You have helped clear up a lot of the confusion.