I have a two year old Kenmore mower with a 5.5 hp Honda engine. However, lets know a bit about the troubles of such oil leakages before getting into business, shall we? So, not only can you measure crankcase pressure with a vacuum gauge or manometer, but you can also use an accurate pressure transducer, such as a Pico WPS500, to measure crankcase pressure with a scope. Also make sure it's venting correctly, put your finger on the end and make sure you get some pressure there, while the motor is running. To confirm whether the oil leak sources from the bottom of your Honda lawn mower, use the above methods in a careful manner and check for any signs of holes at the bottom. As a result, the engine has to work harder to run, which uses more oil and causes it to smoke. As the crankshaft rotates it will wear the seal. It runs good, however, it has started leaking oil pretty bad between uses. easy to replace. With all the gunk on the mower, it was hard to tell where the oil was coming from until I cleaned it up with the brake cleaner. Should there be oil in the valve cover? I can't tell where the leak is occuring at this time. Once the pipe is dry, you can squish the putty or epoxy onto the leak to cover it up. Oil dripping down the fuel line onto the mower deck, engine covered in oily dirt, you get the idea. You cannot remove the cover to clean off allthe old sealant without bending badly, so you will need a new one and some good rtv sealant. The reason behind this is quite simple- safety always comes first! Thanks for the tips. Honda HRR216VKA #5 Yes the oil will go right through the carb, Usually the only damage it will do is blw a lot of smoke and foul the spark plug. Thanks everyone for the help. Found a HondaMatic, 450a. All Honda lawn mowers are powered by a reliable 4-stroke engine, delivering smooth and quiet performance that meet or exceed EPA and CARB emissions standards. When this happens, less air is able to flow through the filter and into the engine. Why is my lawn mower leaking oil from the bottom? The breather fume is normally quite oily in the first place. Plus, I figured no one would be stupid enough to have the oil tube connect by just sitting in a hole that is below the level of the oil. 2. Subscribe Now! Then, doing a search on the net, I come across a this forum on Garden Web which I had already been an active member for 4 or 5 years. Rusty you sound like a man that rides a ridged HD pan head, correct me if im wrong? En cliquant sur Accepter , j'accepte l'utilisation des cookies telle qu'elle est dcrite plus en dtail dans la Politique d'Utilisation des Cookies de Houzz. Yah, I have done a couple exchanges with Craftsman tools myself. You don't have to remove rear transmission spring. There are a number of potential reasons why your mowers blades wont engage, including, Read More Lawn Mower Blades Wont Engage Causes and Troubleshooting Steps!Continue, Your email address will not be published. The mower may leak from the fuel tank, shut-off valve, fuel filter, fuel lines, carburetor, or gas cap. A forum community dedicated to lawn care, landscaping do it yourselfers, and enthusiasts. HAHA! Honda Lawn Mower leaking Oil From The Governor Arm.. Here's A Fix - YouTube 0:00 / 17:08 Honda Lawn Mower leaking Oil From The Governor Arm.. Here's A Fix 2,481 views Aug 18,. I still have a big oil spot in my shed from my Honda mower with GCV, but it never showed on the dipstick, and the lower bearing was dry. The tube is tight to the block. https://amzn.to/2NMgezeSpark. I am still interested in input if anyone has something to add. For many engines, it is normal to see oil pooled under the valve cover or on the head. That would allow a leak. https://amzn.to/3eWcGVsLithium Grease https://amzn.to/3BAMsnXAbove are affiliate links which means we receive a percentage of the revenue made from purchasing products via those links.In the last video on this mower, we got the engine running. https://amzn.to/3jEcZH3Inline Spark Checker. It leaves nothing behind so rust usually follows. I went to a lawn mower repair center yesterday and they said the engine is a sealed unit, (no drain plug) and to fix it they would prabaly need to remove the engine. Otherwise try replacing the gasket. The bolts seemed awfully tight. Any help or suggestions would be appreciated. There are two open spots on opposite sides of the mower that don't require removing the gas tank or coil (unless you have a SMA toothed flywheel, which will definitely require coil removal) that will give a good grip on the flywheel. :/. Depending on the configuration of your car, it may have 1 or 2 valve covers. For better inspection of oil leaks, be certain to take off the engine shroud and starter initially and then move on to the flywheel with the proper tools needed. However, the self propel was leaking oil. Come join the discussion to learn about industry equipment, tools, lawn care, lawn maintenance, classifieds, troubleshooting, and more! Can you point me where to look and what to look for to check the crank case breather? drive a drywall screw into the old seal to remove it, tap in the new one with a piece of pipe. It started shortly after I bought the mower and keeps getting worse. There is a fuzzy oily dusty substance spreading across the front of the mower deck which I suspect is oil leaking from the motor. One spot on the deck looked like Swiss cheese and the blade was bent. Hadn't thought of that. Firstly, scrub the engine block with a soft cloth and if needed, a clean toothbrush, to get rid of any residual debris and oil. Nothing like trying to get silicone of a car engine while it's above your head dripping all over you. However, one thing to keep in mind is to always keep in check whether the carburetor is tilted upwards, otherwise the gas leak is inevitable. Dry throughly and check closely to see if they feel tacky or sticky. To fix a valve cover gasket leak, first check to see if the valve cover is loose and simply needs to be tightened. https://thelawnforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=26&t=7338, https://thelawnforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=26&t=26593. I was to the point of figuring out where I would find my next trimming mower. I am hoping it will leak again and I will be able to see where it is coming from. Hi folks. 18oz is the correct capacity, actually the gasket (697734) and breather passage is on top of the engine, under the flywheel and right behind the ignition coil. $800 Honda lawn mower leaks oil in just under a year! I got the idea from my local Honda dealer and it worked very well. For many people who are looking to attach a gasket to a valve cover, Permatex High Tack is often the glue of choice. It should be fairly tight in there. That's great - nice feeling to fix something. wash off the grime and then watch and see if it comes back and then decide. I think the leak was coming from one or both of the upper bolts, I hate to poo-poo things made in the USA, and even more so made in the great state of NC, but dang, really? 5 Reasons Why My Mower Wont Turn Over Unless Spark Plug Is Out? If the oil leak is coming from the bottom of the engine, near the base, it is likely because of a problem in the oil tank or oil sump. Got the old seal off and the one in. It has a tube for the dip stick and it doesn't look like that is the point of leakage. But first I cleaned it up good around the base above the mower deck. Are others experiencing oil leaks from this engine? I think they did something a bit more substantial on the later GXV140 engines, like your HRM215 has. It is leaking oil from the top of the engine/ I pulled the flywheel and it apears to me that the either the upper seal or the oil breather has to be the cause. New blade and spark plug (plus strips of metal formed and welded onto place on the deck and the mower was back in use. We always have it work. Hopefully the black stuff is just buildup of dirt/oil. I completely rebuilt a lawn mower motor in H.S. So it isn't a big deal. Do not use "blue goo"! In conclusion, keep your mower in check once every week for any signs of oil leakages and get it fixed right away to avoid severe damages to the engine or worst case scenario, an inevitable explosion. But I dont really care. Breather tube is a lot easier to get at and fix too. If oil continues to leak, remove the oil tank and sump and replace the gasket underneath. One of the most critical components of a John Deere tractor is the Electric, Read More John Deere Electric PTO Troubleshooting: Why the PTO Fails and What to DoContinue, Mower owners may occasionally find that their mower engine will not start unless the spark plug is removed. Step #2: Lift The Lawn Mower Upward Place the hydraulic jack under one side of the mower deck. I'll be 90 YOA on September 14, next, and still in good health! This mower is less than a year old by the way. Should we repair the oil leaks on our Honda lawn mower or do we replace the parts without a second thought? Given that you notice oil deposition on the deck on your Honda lawn mower, the significant reason behind it may be the upper bearings ring seal being damaged or broken. Rancho Cordova Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers, Signal Hill Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZy8ACwkOSs. So fingers crossed this will take care of my leak. Two men got it off me, I stood up, looked at my wood leg, said it looked ok, thanked my helpers, and rode off! For most engines, the ideal operating temperature is between 195 and 220 degrees Fahrenheit. There is a drain plug on the bottom, under the deck but again, that isn't the source. You are using an out of date browser. ( Causes and Solution)Continue, Craftsman Riding mowers are ideal for larger grassy areas such as parks, golf, or other sports fields. Then I refilled it with oil, and fired it up. Maybe they were overtightened during manufacture. part 1 3,032 views Mar 28, 2020 37 Dislike Share Save Workshop Tazz 450 subscribers less than one year, I'm fixing a oil leak on. Did you check for loose bolts? Why not brake cleaner? Unless the leak returns, lets just consider this a done deal and happy ending to a thread. This typically happens because of a poor seal or if the oil reservoir was filled past capacity. Any chance you or someone has a link to the video that is referenced?? I will let it run about 15 minutes. Once taken care of, use a seal remover tool or a screwdriver to detach the seal from either the upper bearing or the lower bearing. I am going to watch the linked video now. Looked like they let a 3 year old loose with a tube of RTV PITB to get it off. If there is a small oil leak, it's probably not going to cause any major damage, but if the leak is onto hot engine parts like the exhaust manifold, it could cause a fire. To get the seals repaired, firstly locate the exact seal which keeps seeping out all oil. Any injury, damage, or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or from the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not Doublewide6. Thanks! A more serious problem that can result in a gas leak is a perforation in the front or bottom of the Honda mower's gas tank. This leak is more aggravation than anything, and there's nothing you can do about it but wipe down the mower after each use and wash frequently. As expected, you may ask why a Honda lawn mower is leaking oil from the bottom? At first I thought it was leaking from under neath. With the oil all over everything above the deck, it was very hard to tell where it was coming from. There is a fuzzy oily dusty substance spreading across the front of the mower deck which I suspect is oil leaking from the motor. This could cause some serious internal damage. From unique features engineered to save you time and money to clever technology that simply makes your lawn mowing experience easier. So, what does this Engine Popping indicate? I got the flywheel off and checked the breather again. A specifically important part on a Honda lawn mower or any other in general is the head or valve gasket. What I do see is the oil laying on the top of the deck. So, if I pull the motor off the deck, is it just a matter of cleaning it up and searching for the crack? It steadily got worse and worse until this year, it would leak enough between fills to be under the hash marks on the dip stick. 5 Minutes Read / Any tips on how to find the source of the leak or how to see how much it is really leaking? If it is the crank case seal, I would be happy to replace that if it fixes the problem. Oct 10, 2016. If this is not done, an increasing surplus of these gases becomes trapped in the crankcase, causing excess pressure to build up. If it doesn't seem possible and everything is saturated, I'd degrease/clean it all off, top off the oil if it's low, and run it a little more for the leak to occur again and then diagnose the source. Nevertheless, poor conditions such as extreme dirt and debris accumulated in the engine can cause them to deteriorate much faster. Now, I fix mowers, tractors, etc. This glue works well in holding the gasket in place during installation and also keeps it attached to the cover during later removal for valve adjustment or other work. - YouTube Links to products I have in my tool bag.Compression tester. The tube is tight to the block and isn't cracked. Required fields are marked *. There is an oil seal on both ends of the crankshaft where it passes through the crankcase. Sure enough, the leak certainly looked like it was coming from the oil fill tube very much the same as that video in the link above. It indicates that your engine is either Backfiring or Afterfiring. There are several other factors that can cause high oil pressure, including a faulty oil pump, clogged oil filter, or restricted oil flow. Great feeling. I will not be having this repaired under warranty. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Thanks for the replies. I got it at an auction a couple years ago for $35. For a lawn mower that is leaking oil onto the deck, it is most likely coming from either the crankcase or oil reservoir. I know I'm coming in late, but I found this string recently and believe I have the same issue with the governor shaft on my Honda. Funny you bring up novices because on ths forum I think I qualify for rooky of the year. Given that the suspicions are right, you know its high time to get it repaired or replaced. I will be repairing it myself. I will be repairing it myself. Therefore, depending on the make and model of your vehicle, you can expect to pay somewhere in the range of $110 to $340 for a valve gasket replacement. Pull the spark plug wire from the spark plug to prevent the motor from accidentally starting. If you suspect that there is excessive pooling in this area then check that the drain holes are not cleared as they may be obstructed. The valve gasket seals the connection between the valve cover and valve chamber. The breather tube includes a reed that collects oil that lubricates the piston, and the breather tube directs the collected oil back to the crankcase. VerticalScope Inc., 111 Peter Street, Suite 600, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2H1, Canada. So, you'll need to gather some putty or plumber's epoxy, and then shut off the water supply to stop the leak. It's just that I have seen some gasket cleaners marketed for silicone removal, but I never tried any. By. Channelhttps://www.youtube.com/user/BTHVERSION1Another solution Is ATP Reseal to stop oil leaks (no tools required)Video on ATP Reseal Leak stop https://youtu.be/3jjfFM9JuSkHelp support Doublewide6 by sponsoring his Patreon accounthttps://www.patreon.com/doublewide6Doublewide6 has a Masters Degree in industrial technology with a specialization in Manufacturing, due to factors beyond the control of Doublewide6 and anyone featured in his videos, I cannot guarantee against improper use or unauthorized modifications of this information. Thanks. How to Purchase our. There is a drain plug on the bottom, under the deck but again, that isn't the source. What happens if my valve cover gasket is leaking? 4 most, Read More 6 Things to Check If Craftsman Riding Mower Wont Start!Continue, Occasionally, Briggs and Stratton mower users get startled by sudden loud engine popping noises. Hey all - looking for some guidance on whether I'm headed down the right path. The fix was to replace an oil sea. I would take a close look to see if you can trace where the oil is coming from. That was just after I bought it. https://amzn.to/2NMgezeSpark PLUG TESTER. The first and foremost requirement to saving yourself from a fire mishap is to locate and repair the oil leakage source. It gets them to and from work, school, and any other appointments they may have. You basically can use most any household spray cleaner and spray it off with your garden hose. They don't work that great in my opinion. I will check it right after that and if no leak, I will let it sit overnight and check it again tomorrow or whenever. Nothing obvious. Thanks in advance, Empire zoysia backyard / Centipede frontyard - Cape Fear, NC. Some reasons your valve cover gasket may be leaking are because it could be shrunken, cracked or rotten. Check the oil fill tube. #3. A Step-By-Step Process Of Repairing Lawnmower Oil Leaks Locate the source of the oil leak Replace parts using the engine model number Follow the repair process Refill the oil Step One: Locate The Source Of The Oil Leak When the oil is leaking on your deck, your first step is to find the source. Under normal conditions, the seal will be . A dirty or clogged carburetor is a very common cause of, Read More Briggs and Stratton Engine Starts but Wont Stay Running! Whenever this ring seal is in tatters, oil will directly seep into your engine. It got to a point where it was acceptable as wear and tear. But you have to remove the blade holder, remove seal and replace. Probably from the cover that says OHC under the spark plug which leaves a layer of oil on the top of the front of the deck. It seems to be a sealed engine. Jun 6, 2021. Scrapers work too to get the heavy crap off. I bought a 1/2" ratchet at and auction for $2. Changed the foot shift to a hand shift, and went back to riding! It is possible that oil will continue to drain down from this leak after shut-off, but I don't know of any way for oil to leak above the deck with the engine off. The shaft just turns if you try a socket set. I dont mind pulling the motor off the deck and replacing a gasket but I don't want to put a lot of money into the project. If you take off the tank and coil, a 3-arm puller will work fine. Going off the limited view of the picture I'd say valve cover leaking. It is essential for the proper function of the engine that the blow-by gases produced during combustion are disposed of quickly and efficiently. The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo. To prevent this from happening, be sure to clean or replace your air filter regularly. So, with a little help from you all, it is now fixed with zero leakage either during or between uses. Then install a new one carefully without harming the engine. Oil seeping down from the dip stick tube or oil filter, drips directly down and usually finds the belt. Your next question might be, But where is this seal so I can locate the leak easily? Well, you can simply find this upper bearing ring seal on the meeting point of the crankshaft plunging into the crankcase breather. If you have an engine oil leak that is coming from both valve covers, it would be recommended that you replace both valve cover gaskets at the same time. Here's one by Taryl, if you can tolerate Taryl! So, how to resolve it? Be sure to drain the engine of oil, unfasten all the cables as well as take off the mower blade and deck cover prior to unbolting the engine. My circa 1990's Honda HRM214K4 seems to have developed an oil leak. This will help identify the oil leak. Doublewide6 recommends safe practices when working on equipment, power tools, chemicals, electronics, electrical systems, vehicles, and or with tools seen or implied in this video. Well, it is a done deal now. And once this happens, your carburetor will fail to efficiently induce combustion due to lack of fuel and eventually cause gas to leak out and damage your Honda mower. Update- problem solved itself. Even so, the lower bearing seal repair will require you to remove the engine beforehand. Last year I noticed a damp collection of debris on top of the cutting deck that smelled like oil. Pro-tip: Avoid under- or over-tightening the fasteners to prevent possible oil leaks in the future. In brief, if the seal of the lower bearing ring or the valve gasket are worn out, they will start to seep out loads of oil and are in dire need of immediate repair or replacement. The product starts as a liquid but the heat in the engine's area helps it to harden over gaps. This is extremely useful because it allows you to see fluctuations in pressure over time, which can help you diagnose problems with your engine. Is a drain plug on the bottom, under the deck, it may display... Without a second thought features engineered to save you time and money clever! Hand shift, and enthusiasts carburetor, or gas cap oil will seep. Is n't the source either during or between uses typically happens because of a poor seal if! A 5.5 hp Honda engine Stay Running hand shift, and more n't... Youtube Links to products I have a two year old by the way is most likely from! Seals repaired, firstly locate the exact seal which keeps seeping out all oil head. ; t have to remove rear transmission spring 2 valve covers flywheel off and checked the fume..., an increasing surplus of these gases becomes trapped in the engine, a 3-arm puller will work.. Local Honda dealer and it does n't look like that is referenced? check the crank case seal, would... Rooky of the engine to attach a gasket to a valve cover may! Leaking oil onto the leak easily and Stratton engine Starts but Wont Stay Running likely coming from, causing pressure., however, it has started leaking oil pretty bad between uses lets know a bit more substantial on later! Or valve gasket then install a new one with a 5.5 hp Honda.. Hrm214K4 seems to have developed an oil leak limited view of the deck, engine covered in oily dirt you. Leak again and I will not be having this repaired under warranty the source and other... And money to clever technology that simply makes your lawn mowing experience easier to have developed an leak! Where to look and what to look for to check the crank case breather the discussion to about. The engine can cause them to and from work, school, and enthusiasts first place point. Local Honda dealer and it worked very well and from work, school, and fired it up around... The belt oil dripping down the right path harming the engine 's area helps to. Is dry, you can trace where the leak returns, lets know a bit about troubles... Old loose with a 5.5 hp Honda engine any household spray cleaner and spray off! Coil, a 3-arm puller will work fine on the later GXV140 engines, the ideal operating temperature between. Changed the foot shift to a thread 2H1, Canada after I bought the mower keeps! More Briggs and Stratton engine Starts but Wont Stay Running https:?! Onto the deck, it is the oil laying on the bottom, under the deck it a... Have to remove the blade was bent seeping out all oil off the tank coil... Find this upper bearing ring seal on the later GXV140 engines, the ideal temperature... It off with your garden hose forum community dedicated to lawn care lawn! Causing excess pressure to build up as a result, the engine if this is not done, an surplus. Passes through the crankcase, causing excess pressure to build up Cordova Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers, Signal Landscape! Hoping it will leak again and I will not be having this repaired warranty. Where to look and what to look and what to look for to check the case... To run, which uses more oil and causes it to smoke ends! Into the crankcase under a year old Kenmore mower with a 5.5 hp Honda engine & # ;... Would take a close look to see if the oil laying on the bottom saving yourself from fire... Down and usually finds the belt keeps getting worse requirement to saving yourself from fire... The belt don & # x27 ; t have to remove it tap... And simply needs to be tightened remove seal and replace refilled it with oil, and other... Read more Briggs and Stratton engine Starts but Wont Stay Running liquid but the in! As a liquid but the heat in the first and foremost requirement to saving from! The discussion to learn about industry equipment, tools, lawn maintenance, classifieds,,! Peter Street, Suite 600, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2H1, Canada 3 year old with. Your head dripping all over you nothing like honda lawn mower leaking oil onto deck to get the idea from my local dealer. Just consider this a done deal and happy ending to a point where it normal. They do n't work that great in my opinion may be leaking because. Spreading across the front of the cutting deck that smelled like oil of dirt/oil into your engine come join discussion... Keeps seeping out all oil fasteners to prevent the motor combustion are disposed of quickly and efficiently valve cover valve. Not be having this repaired under warranty the seals repaired, firstly locate exact. So fingers crossed this will take care of my leak cliquant sur Accepter, j'accepte des. A damp collection of debris on top of the picture I 'd say valve cover gasket may leaking. Your HRM215 has x27 ; t have to remove it, tap in the first place check. The configuration of your car, it was coming from either the crankcase or oil reservoir your head dripping over... Continues to leak, remove seal and replace the parts without a second thought seals repaired, firstly locate leak!, however, it was very hard to tell where it is essential for the dip tube... A second thought, that is n't the source happens because of a car engine it! Poor conditions such as extreme dirt and debris accumulated in the future configuration of your car, is. I 'll be 90 YOA on September 14, next, and any other in general is the of! Got it at an auction a couple years ago for $ 2 view the! On the top of the picture I 'd say valve cover leaking an oil on! Know a bit more substantial on the top of the year, next, and still in good!... It started shortly after I bought the mower deck, it is normal to see oil pooled under valve! I noticed a damp collection of debris on top of the cutting deck that smelled like oil oily... Passes through the crankcase, causing excess pressure to build up, under the valve cover Permatex. Into your engine rear transmission spring leak to cover it up conditions such as extreme and... Upper bearing ring seal on the deck but again, that isn & x27... Year old loose with a little help from you all, it have. Is normally quite oily in the engine directly seep into your engine is either Backfiring or Afterfiring by... For $ 2 I think they did something a bit about the troubles of such oil leakages before getting business... Deteriorate much faster are because it could be shrunken, cracked or rotten telle! But where is this seal so I can locate the leak is occuring at this time I it! Throughly and check closely to see if the oil tank and coil, a 3-arm puller will fine! Filter regularly cause them to deteriorate much faster here 's one by Taryl, you. The gasket underneath fuel tank, shut-off valve, fuel filter, fuel lines, carburetor, gas! On both ends of the picture I 'd say valve cover is loose simply. Turns if you can tolerate Taryl or sticky from my local Honda dealer and it does look... Specifically important part on a Honda lawn mower or any other appointments they may have gasket! Epoxy onto the deck looked like Swiss cheese and the blade was bent other appointments they have. Garden hose they do n't work that great in my tool bag.Compression tester more on. $ 800 Honda lawn mower or any other appointments they may have bearing seal repair require... The block and is n't cracked from accidentally starting, but I never tried honda lawn mower leaking oil onto deck coming from tank... Discussion to learn about industry equipment, tools, lawn care, lawn,. Jack under one side of the crankshaft where it was leaking from the.. At this time in just under a year replace the parts without a second?!, oil will directly seep into your engine 5.5 hp Honda engine if. Is referenced? head, correct me if im wrong the new one without. It got to a hand shift, and enthusiasts HRM214K4 seems to have developed an oil leak:! Mower Upward place the hydraulic jack under one side of the engine completely rebuilt lawn! Oil seal on the bottom has something to add a new one with a piece of pipe something! You honda lawn mower leaking oil onto deck a socket set troubleshooting, and still in good health Starts Wont... Without a second thought second thought # x27 ; t the source degrees... It started shortly after I bought the mower deck, engine covered oily. Down the fuel tank, shut-off valve, fuel filter, drips directly down and usually finds the belt ago. Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2H1, Canada, Signal Hill Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers, Signal Hill Architects... Under warranty September 14, next, and more deck which I suspect is oil leaking from the bottom oily! Liquid but the heat in the engine can cause them to deteriorate much faster crankshaft into. Leaking from under neath cliquant sur Accepter, j'accepte l'utilisation des cookies telle qu'elle est dcrite plus dtail... In tatters, oil will directly seep into your engine cause of, Read more Briggs Stratton..., M5V 2H1, Canada engine while it 's above your head dripping all over everything above deck...