Oil leak Kohler - unknown source

15 years ago

Massive oil leak just started last week. Cleaned engine and mower few days later, added oil today and ran for 40 minutes with no leak, started mowing...few minutes later...major oil leak...source unknown.

Original engine was 22hp Kohler Command engine CH22s-spec 66541. but has been shortblocked with CH18-20 -spec 24522137 sometime during its life. Rebuilt '08 and ran fine last year. Old Bunton z-turn mower.

Still not able to find source of leak-looking for some hints.

Featured Answer

njdpo

14 years ago

Valves were done 25 hours ago ?

Did this problem exist before the Valves were done?

If not - Id suspect that the valve cover gaskets are ripped or valve covers are not tight enough.

Have you checked the valve cover bolts for tightness ?

DAve

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Comments (10)

johninmd
15 years ago
i doubt anyone is going to be able to speculate without more detail of where the oil is located, under engine? carb side? others side? front or rear? high/low on engine?
mownie
15 years ago
"Massive oil leak"....."major oil leak"! As johninmd says, not much info to go on. Though the oil leak becomes a "major", there has to be a point where it is just a "buck private". You may have to watch closely for "that magic moment" when the oil first begins to escape.
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njdpo
15 years ago
Agreed - theres not a lot of good information to work with here.

Based on the info provided - I assume your engine is not smoking badly from the exhaust ?

Is the oil filter tight ? Is the dipstick tight ?

What about putting an old pizza box (card board) under the engine when the engine is off and the oil is topped off.

Let it sit for a few days and see if its slow weeping leak...

You may have to climb under the unit - Or get it up on ramps and see it you can spot the leak with a flashlight.
hortsense
15 years ago
I had a brand new tractor with a Briggs Intec twin that did exactly that type of leak. It turned out to be a pinched valve cover gasket (mis-installed at the factory). Once the engine warmed up, the hot and slightly thinner oil would push through the gasket and spray on the exhaust pipe. WHOA! Looked massive, was actually a minor leak made to look like a big time problem by all the smoke generated. It was simple to track down once we'd cleaned it up and then sat watching it run. I believe the gasket cost about $1.28 and the repair took 5 minutes.

Still, its hard to believe one could not find where the leak was coming from.
keepitrunning
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks for the comments. Unfortunately the oil leak starts after the mower is running and I can't find anyone to follow me arond the yard. Sitting on jacks, engage the mower, ran it for 45 minutes and can't get that leak going. dipstick is in, no cracks noted. Have vacum at dipstick, valess wer resone 25 hrs ago. Wonderin if the exhaust is plugged, don't have a leak-down.. Presume that the seal is blown, but not sure of the cause. Any hints would be appreciated. thanks in advance.
BBG
6 years ago
Hi, I have the same problem on a Kohler 25hp. Runs great for about 30 to 45 min. I have put in 4 crank seals. Seal are not damaged when removed them. I've Replace both Head gaskets new valve cover gasket have vacum on dipstick,new breather, checked crank end play. I work for Caterpillar Im a engine and Transmission rebuilder, I have not fixed this one yet...I have the same engine in a Kohler generator no problems at all it runs every Monday for 30 min for the last 5 years and longer when power goes out. ??
tomplum
6 years ago
Replaced new breather reed and gasket? I've seen horizontal twins pump oil due to missing oil cap and dipstick seals. Good word is that you have negative cc pressure.
BBG
6 years ago
Hi, it's a vertical shaft, after removing the engine from the mower I wound a crack in the oil pan at the crank seal im going to replace the pan . Thanks
HU-45388213
last year
checked head gasket and replaced valve covers and gaskets. iol filter and base tight washed let run with no leaks but when they take and use it it leaks oil . lots of guards to remove . not sure what to do from here its the third time ive had this problem

Oil leak Kohler - unknown source

njdpo

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Oil leak Kohler - unknown source

Comments (10)

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keepitrunning
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