My KitchenAid mixer makes a sound like it needs oil or lubrication. Please advise.

It uses a food approved oil.

Hi CONTACT_TOS. I’m not sure what removable cap you are referring to, unless you are referring to the two plastic caps with screwdriver indents on opposites sides of the head? Do not remove them. Those are Brush Holder Caps for access to the electric motor brushes. You do not want to remove them unless you are replacing the brushes.
Why do you want to add lubrication to your mixer? The internal gears of your mixer are factory packed with enough grease to last a 'lifetime'. Unless your mixer is quite old; greater than 10 years, you shouldn’t have to replace any transmission lubricant. Your mixer’s transmission lubricant (grease) does break down over time and usage into its components; basically oil and suspension additives, and sometimes your mixer might leak a little oil that has seeped beyond the transmission gasket and found its way out of the mixer. Gravity can be very insidious. But even then, if the amount of oil you find leaking is small and your mixer seems to be operating normally, you needn’t worry about the replacing the lost lubricant.
If you still wish to check or replace the lubricant, that’s OK, too. It never hurts to get under the ‘hood’ of your mixer and see how it all works. Before you get started though, it would be helpful to have the Parts List manual on hand. If you're lacking one, you can download a PDF version from the KA website at: http://www.kitchenaid.com/flash.cmd?/#/page/home.
Click on Customer Care>Locate Manuals & Guides> and select “Consumer” for User Type, then enter the 6 character Model Number, in your case use KSM50P (Your K5SS mixer falls within this manual), and select the first file KSM50P.pdf (438.31 KB) listed under Parts List (4). (Check to verify this matches your mixer model.)
Turn to pages 4 & 5 titled: “Case, Gearing & Planetary Unit,” for the disassembly, troubleshooting, and reassembly of your mixer’s transmission gears, along with all the parts. It can get quite messy but be gratifying to diagnose and repair your mixer yourself.
Once apart you can check for any unseemly wear and tear on the gears, etc. You may also want to consider replacing all the grease, particularly if debris is suspended in it.
Besides any replacement grease you might consider replacing the gasket (Illus. No. 26), too. I recommend using a food-grade grease that you can order online (although I’ve seen automotive bearing grease used too – your call).
Here are some links to several excellent websites that detail the disassembling/greasing and reassembly of a KA Mixer. The mixers displayed in the links are different KA models, but the principles are the same.

• http://www.artisanbreadbaking.com/discussions/kitchen-aid.htm
• http://www.neilcrockett.com/mixer.htm
• http://www.foodonthefood.com/food_on_the_food/2009/04/how-to-repair-a-kitchenaid-mixer-yourself.html

Between these three websites and their excellent pictures and descriptions and your Parts List manual, you should now be able to completely disassemble and reassemble your mixer along with replacing the lubricant if you wish to.
Good luck and have fun. I hope this helps. Howard, Burke, VA
If this solution has helped you, please rate it. – hslincoln

It sounds like the brushes are worn out. The sound you hear could be the brush holders making contact with the commutator or it could be a broken brush. Also check gears for wear. Here is a website that has diagrams and parts. Hope this helps.

kellysappliance.net/mixer.aspx

Hi. Goto www.kitchenaid.com enter your model # into the search window, look for the parts catalog for your mixer. Download this file. It will come in handy if you ever need to order parts, and will give you an overview of your mixer.

Goto www.mendingshed.com and locate the free Kitchenaid Service manual. This manual contains all of the info needed to service your mixer.

Finally, your mixer uses grease for lubrication. When you see oil dripping, it means that your mixer needs to be re-greased as the oil is separating from the grease base. I recommend Chevron FM ALC EP-2, this is a food grade grease that is non-toxic should you get some of it's oil in the mixing bowl at a later date. Remove the old oil and grease remnants from the mixer, including the planetary unit. You can remove the planetary by tapping the tapered pin out of the shaft. Clean and re-grease. After you've completed these tasks, run the mixer for a couple of minutes every week to keep the oil in suspension. This will extend the life of the grease.

Good luck! If this solution has assisted you, please rate it. ricardok45.

Hi Tim. Don't try to pour anything into the side openings, these openings are for the electrical brushes. You didn't state what model you have so my help is limited. Goto www.kitchenaid.com and click on the customer care tab. Enter your mixer's model# into the search window. Look for a parts catalog for your mixer. If there is one, download it.

Your mixer uses grease to lubricate it. If it's leaking oil, the oil and old grease must be removed and replaced. Chevron FM ALC EP-2 is a "Food Grade" grease, use it to replace the old stuff. The transmission housing and Planetary assembly will have to be removed to accomplish this. It's a messy, but necessary task. Once completed, run the mixer for a few minutes each week to keep the oil suspended in the grease, this will extend the life of the new lube. Good luck!

If this solution has assisted you please rate it. ricardok45.

Hi . Chevron FM ALC EP-2 grease is what you need for the lubricant. This has a Mineral Oil base, allowing for it to, at some time, drip into whatever it is that you mix without concern for your health. From what I can, tell this is the only thing that needs to be done. Clean out as much of the old grease as possible.

Goto www.mendingshed.com and download for free a Kitchenaid Service Manual that will cover your mixer.

If this solution has assisted you, please rate it. Good luck! ricardok45

Hi. Your mixer needs to be serviced, have old grease and oil removed, parts cleaned, then re assembled with new grease. Remove the tapered-pin from the planetary gear, remove planetary gear, clean lubricate and re install. Chevron FM ALC EP-2 is a "Food Grade" lubricant, meaning that it's safe for human consumption if it accidentally gets into food. There are no seals, only bushings. The existing bushings will hold back the new grease. The oil has separated from the base of the grease. If you don't use your mixer very often, start it up about once a week to keep the grease properly mixed.

If you'd like more info on your mixer goto kitchenaid.com, look up your model # download the PARTS drawings. Use these drawings to re-assemble and to determine if you need any replacement parts. Be prepared to wait at least a month for your parts to arrive.

If this Solution assisted you, please rate it. ricardok45

my ultra power ksm90gr 300 watt mixer leaked oil when in the upright position overnight. whats that all about?

Some of the oil has separated from the grease inside the transmission, the grease should be replaced. You don't need a total dismantle,. simply remove the top cover and the transmission housing. Remove as much old grease as you can, then replace it with grease from Kitchenaid Parts, or locate a Shell Oil distributor in your area, you want Shell Darina XL EP-2. The oil that came out of your unit probably won't be enough to do immediate damage, but because it's separating, it's becoming less effective. It'a messy job to remove it but will add years of life to your mixer. If you find this solution helpful, please rate it. Good luck. ricardok45

The repair manual says that the mixer can make this grinding sound at slow speed, like stir or 2. This is normal, especially until it warms up. This is the sound of the gears turning at slow speed.