I cleaned it up then mowed my back yard yesterday and it did not leak any oil that I could see, except for a slight amount on the front of the engine casing, which may have been a spot I missed. However, the most common of them all is when the oil starts to seep out through the oil tank and floods the engine base or the deck. So, what does this Engine Popping indicate? Sitting around, doing little, gives a quick trip to the cemetery, and that's why you see me here! 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. The reason behind this is quite simple- safety always comes first! thoroughly. 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. Lawn Mower Blades Wont Engage Causes and Troubleshooting Steps! Have had a few GCV engines that would develop leaks in the RTV sealant between the two crankcase halves. Why is my lawn mower leaking oil from the bottom? pulling the flywheel only takes a few seconds anyway with a prybar and a hammer. 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. It did superb job of cleaning it up. This product helps hold a blown head gasket in place and seals a head gasket to prevent leaks. But before you get into the trickier part, you need to do the basics. I am usually pretty carefull about filling the oil. 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. 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. It's said to fit the GCV 160. Fortunately,LawnAskis here to offer you an all-encompassing resource that covers everything you need to know about lawn care. 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. :/. This mower is less than a year old by the way. There is a drain plug on the bottom, under the deck but again, that isn't the source. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which supports our community. It got to a point where it was acceptable as wear and tear. I cleaned off the oil and really can't see where it's leaking from, but it doesn't seem to be coming from up high on the engine, unless it's dripping. Somebody has to be around to help you novices! Take dish soap and wash the belts. I had suspected that oil fill tube the whole time but with all the gunk stuck to the motor due to the oil, it just wasn't easy to see where the oil was coming from until I cleaned it up with brake cleaner. 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. From there, the gases blow into the air. I'll share with you the main items to inspect while looking for a fuel leak on your Honda mower. The valve gasket seals the connection between the valve cover and valve chamber. RJ. Any help or suggestions would be appreciated. Update- problem solved itself. 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. Subscribe Now! drive a drywall screw into the old seal to remove it, tap in the new one with a piece of pipe. Do not use "blue goo"! Learn about off-the-shelf, prefab and custom sheds, Keep your refrigerator clean and fresh, while you gain storage space and lose those UFOs, Amnagement et conseil en dcoration | Strasbourg & Bas-Rhin, Personnaliser mon exprience l'aide de cookies, Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers, Outdoor Lighting & Audio/Visual Specialists, Ashburn Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers, Carson Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers, Essex Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers, Easy Ways to Manage Stormwater for Lower Bills and a Healthier Earth, What to Know About Switching to LED Lightbulbs, How to Add a Backyard Shed for Storage or Living, Politique d'Utilisation des Cookies de Houzz. Have any of you experienced this with your Honda engines, or other makes? The information contained in this video shall be used for informational purposes and used at viewers discretion.On my channel. I may try to limp along this year with it. A Honda lawn mower can begin leaking gas from using old fuel that can degrade and gum up your fuel components. The best product for this use is 'Roll-Off'. Lawn Mower leaking Oil From The Governor Arm.. And keep in mind since the crankcase is an angle cut, the area under the cylinder is under oil when the engine is filled. If not, I will post back. Rusty you sound like a man that rides a ridged HD pan head, correct me if im wrong? It is essential for the proper function of the engine that the blow-by gases produced during combustion are disposed of quickly and efficiently. Nothing like trying to get silicone of a car engine while it's above your head dripping all over you. For common knowledge, the seal on this valve gasket aids in air-tightening the connection between the valve cover and its chamber. The tube should at least screw in or something but it is definitely prone to working loose as it did. The leak really started a couple years ago but was very small at first. After soaking up the oil on the deck, give the whole engine block a good scrub and remove all the dirt and debris that may be on it. The bolts seemed awfully tight. However, the self propel was leaking oil. Brake cleaner is simply too strong for this job and is bad for plastic, paint and rubber parts. However, I buggered up the breather gasket and have to wait a few days to get it before I can verify the fix. When this happens, less air is able to flow through the filter and into the engine. I did check the breather. A defective spark plug, bad or dragging starter, improper valve adjustment, camshaft faults, or a damaged battery, Read More 5 Reasons Why My Mower Wont Turn Over Unless Spark Plug Is Out?Continue, Youre getting ready to mow your lawn with Briggs and Stratton mower! A forum community dedicated to lawnmower owners and enthusiasts. Your email address will not be published. From the beginning the engine would blow an immense cloud of oil smoke on start up. Any chance it could be a cracked block? I have a 10 year old Craftsman mower with a 6HP engine 143.996004. - YouTube Links to products I have in my tool bag.Compression tester. In addition to causing high oil pressure, an overheated engine can also lead to engine damage. A forum community dedicated to lawn care, landscaping do it yourselfers, and enthusiasts. Then I refilled it with oil, and fired it 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. May 20, 2012 / Oil on mower deck belts. Good place to start looking. Update. Thanks! 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. If it isn't what Bert said, I'm going to go with valve cover leaking. And I will be updating this post on my findings so other Honda owners or potential owners will be in the know. And once this seal gets worn out with days passing by or even more sadly, has blown off, oil will leak off heavily. This typically happens because of a poor seal or if the oil reservoir was filled past capacity. Rancho Cordova Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers, Signal Hill Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZy8ACwkOSs. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Any tips on how to find the source of the leak or how to see how much it is really leaking? The tube is tight to the block. Well, it wasn't a neighbor, but the wife just complained about the mower running in the driveway. It started shortly after I bought the mower and keeps getting worse. Dry throughly and check closely to see if they feel tacky or sticky. It indicates that your engine is either Backfiring or Afterfiring. W. 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. In today's video, I talk about a bunch of different reasons why you could have oil leaking on to your lawn mower's deck.The content in this video might not be applicable to your exact piece of equipment. Thanks everyone for the help. Remove the spark plug. Re: 4 stroke Tecumseh Oil leak. Contemporary & Meticulously Crafted Furniture in Manhattan, It sounds like a crack motor but there's only one way to find out, by pulling the out the motor, if only Sears had the same policy with their motors like they do with their tools, if it breaks they just exchange it, no questions asked. So to identify the source of the leak, I cleaned the engine, deck, underside of the fuel tank, etc. Use this information at your own risk. Thanks in advance, Empire zoysia backyard / Centipede frontyard - Cape Fear, NC. So it isn't a big deal. Your mower will power down and start to function poorly, especially on bumps and hills. How to Purchase our. Nevertheless, poor conditions such as extreme dirt and debris accumulated in the engine can cause them to deteriorate much faster. 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. Two possibilities befor you pull the engine. Thanks for the reply! Why Honda Lawn Mower is Leaking Oil from Bottom Lower Bearing The ring seal on the lower bearing, also known by an oil seal, helps in fastening the crankshaft and causes the blade of your lawn mower to spin heftily. https://amzn.to/2NMgezeSpark. Aug 2, 2011. 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. BTW, don't use carb, brake or choke cleaner on the mower for external dirt/oil. Went out with a flashlight since it is dark out and the garage has less than adequate lighting. https://amzn.to/3rTsZK6Chemical bottle. Not a major problem. Reasons Your Honda Mower is Cutting Uneven Honda Lawn Mower is Leaking Gas You smell the odor of fuel in the air, but you can't find where your Honda mower is leaking gas. 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. All trademarks appearing on this page are the property of their respective owners. It has a tube for the dip stick and it doesn't look like that is the point of leakage. I assume you are only filling it TO the FULL mark? At the end of the year I cleaned everything and did the end of year tune up. Pretty sure it is not the oil fill tube. I have a HRX217VKA with GCV190 purchased in 2016. But do you know why? The oil seems to be leaking somewhere near the bottom but above the deck and it runs along the low ridge in the deck to a small hole designed to allow water to drain. To be frank, this entirely depends upon the circumstances. It seems to have gone from a moderate leak to a bad leak over the last winter (Wisconsin). Pull the oil dipstick out of the engine and reinsert it firmly. Check for oil seeping out around the governor shaft which is at the LH side of the engine at the rear. 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. I wasn't looking forward to dumping the money into a new mower that I only run for maybe a couple hours a year anyway. So, you'll need to gather some putty or plumber's epoxy, and then shut off the water supply to stop the leak. John Deere Electric PTO Troubleshooting: Why the PTO Fails and What to Do. A specifically important part on a Honda lawn mower or any other in general is the head or valve gasket. 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. If not, do you have any other suggestions for how to track down the problem? But that should present soon if it is the problem since I have refilled the oil. You are using an out of date browser. I will be repairing it myself. While a blown head gasket can be a costly repair, using a head gasket sealer can help avoid an expensive replacement. Ok, so I am pretty sure I have fixed my valve cover leak, after removing, cleaning, and resealing. So why wouldn't I tilt my lawn mower this way when doing maintenance? #4. If oil continues to leak, remove the oil tank and sump and replace the gasket underneath. Some engines have a plastic or metal baffle between the valve covers to help with oil control and prevent leaks, these are usually replaced at the same time as the valve cover gaskets. The second place to look would be the valve spring cover if this is a flathead engine. I have this sooty/oily crud accumulating near the valve cover on my HRX mower. thoroughly. RJ, Also, I took up pickin' the 5 string banjo, and that keeps the mind working well! Now, leaks can stem from a variety of points, be it the base of the engine, near the bottom of the deck, or the crankcase breather, you just name it. 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. Why Is Oil On The Deck? I have changed oil 2x/year using Honda oil. Maybe they were overtightened during manufacture. Yep, in fact, I mowed with it today and all is well. This will help identify the oil leak. For most people, their car is a necessary part of their lives. This is extremely useful because it allows you to see fluctuations in pressure over time, which can help you diagnose problems with your engine. When it comes to lawn mowing, imagine catching a fire on the grass, slowly spreading across the space with no such solutions in sight. JavaScript is disabled. Thank you for your service. Nice, a suicide clutch huh?, worth some turkey now a days. 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. Sometimes a little tightening can do the trick. That's great - nice feeling to fix something. There is no drain plug underneath, the fill and empty process is done thru the fill tube. Valve Gasket View All Lawn Mower Valve Gaskets Need Help Finding Your Model Number? document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Maintaining a beautiful lawn can be a daunting task, especially if you lack the appropriate know-how and tools to handle the challenges that may crop up. If I cant find the leak, I may take off the shroud to see if I can see anything there. VerticalScope Inc., 111 Peter Street, Suite 600, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2H1, Canada. 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. 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. It comes with an array of items such as a UV light source, a pair of glasses, a dye injector as well as a fluorescent dye to do the main job of detection. It wasn't bad the last couple years but this year, it has gotten to the point that it goes from top of full to under the low mark on the stick in a few weeks time without use. To finish the job, snug up the valve cover bolts to the torque specifications in your shop manual. VerticalScope Inc., 111 Peter Street, Suite 600, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2H1, Canada. At this point I woild like to find the source of the leak and try to see how bad the leak is. ( Causes and Solution)Continue, Craftsman Riding mowers are ideal for larger grassy areas such as parks, golf, or other sports fields. There should be a crankcase vent tube shown as 1 in this drawing. Where is it leaking in relation to the engine? It has a tube for the dip stick and it doesn't look like that is the point of leakage. As stated above it was the oil fill tube not being seated properly. How To Fix A Lawnmower That Is Leaking Oil From Air Filter Housing Brant Small Engine Repairs 47K views 2 years ago Troy Bilt Push Mower Won't Start - Oil In Air Filter Individualized. Another reason could be that your valve cover itself is cracked or broken. If your lawn mower is smoking or leaking oil, one of the most common reasons is a dirty air filter. Otherwise try replacing the gasket. Neighbors have to be loving that at 10pm on a Sunday evening. What is the cause behind it? Usually you can just turn the mower on its side to do this. However, lets know a bit about the troubles of such oil leakages before getting into business, shall we? 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. 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. So to identify the source of the leak, I cleaned the engine, deck, underside of the fuel tank, etc. Only possible problem I see is it might have degraded the finish on the mower deck a bit. Blue or white smoke coming from your engine usually indicates burning oil, which can be caused by overfilling the crankcase with oil, using incorrect oil grades, or operating engine at greater than a 15 degree angle. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. No gasket on the valve cover of this model Honda engine, just RTV. What I do see is the oil laying on the top of the deck. Should there be oil in the valve cover? Houzz Pro: One simple solution for contractors and design pros, Send cleaner runoff into local waterways and spend less on yard irrigation with these simple landscaping approaches, If youve been thinking about changing over to LEDs but aren't sure how to do it and which to buy, this story is for you, Need a home office, a playspace or extra room for your stuff? Lawn Mower Smoking and Sputtering- How to Fix [DIY Solution], How To Fix Lawn Mower Engine Dies When Clutch Released, Why My Lawn Mower Wont Cut Grass?- Reasons And Solutions, Hydrostatic Lawn Mower Moves Slow In Reverse (A Complete Guide), Yard Machine Lawn Mower Wont start: Reasons And Fixes, Cub Cadet Zero-Turn Hydrostatic Problems: 6 Causes and Solutions, Why a Sprinkler Head Wont Rotate? Pull the spark plug wire from the spark plug to prevent the motor from accidentally starting. Should we repair the oil leaks on our Honda lawn mower or do we replace the parts without a second thought? 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. Any of these things can cause serious damage to your engine if not fixed quickly and properly. Oil leaking from the upper oil seal will typically run down the sides of the engine and pool on the mowers deck. New blade and spark plug (plus strips of metal formed and welded onto place on the deck and the mower was back in use. A sharp object like a rock or piece of metal can cause a hole if it gets . Got the old seal off and the one in. My circa 1990's Honda HRM214K4 seems to have developed an oil leak. Hopefully the black stuff is just buildup of dirt/oil. At first I thought it was leaking from under neath. https://thelawnforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=26&t=7338, https://thelawnforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=26&t=26593. Also, one of the valve cover bolts may just be loose which would allow for a little leak. But had to throw out my last tube since it sat around a little too long and set up. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Check the oil fill tube. The most common reasons why oil is coming out of your lawnmower exhaust are fluids shifting from tilting the lawnmower on its side, an overfilled crankcase, or a damaged piston ring. They don't work that great in my opinion. 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. Rusty J says! Likewise, move on to the repair or replace work and youll be good to go. As the crankshaft rotates it will wear the seal. JavaScript is disabled. But, I knew I could just exchange it at a Sears and did. Once you have given the carb a little tub, turn off the fueland move the plug as far away from the plug hole as possible. Do I need to use gasket sealant on valve covers? Any thoughts on how the engine could leak? 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. Due to the continuous rotation of the crankshaft, this seal seems to wear off with time. 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. Might be worth a stop or permatex gray usually does the job. If you're looking for repairs on Honda, MTD, Ariens, Husqvarna, Murray, Weedeater, Toro, Troy-bilt, Echo, Stihl, Craftsman, Mastercraft, Bolens, Brute, Firman, Generac, John Deere, Poulan Pro, Homelite, Canadiana, Noma, Remington, Powermore, Tecumseh, Briggs and Stratton, Kohler, Yardworks, Yardman, Yard Machines, etc, this is the channel for you. Restart the engine and check for an oil leak. You're welcome. For many engines, it is normal to see oil pooled under the valve cover or on the head. 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. Due to factors beyond the control of Doublewide6, no information contained in this video shall create any expressed or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Dont forget to take a quick look into such troublesome occurrences before hopping into the next section! This pump continuously draws the pressure out of the crankcase, which prevents oil from being forced out. Diagnose the fuel status,, Read More Briggs and Stratton Engine Popping? Some reasons your valve cover gasket may be leaking are because it could be shrunken, cracked or rotten. Then, apply new sealant to the gasket and attach it to the valve cover. Come join the discussion to learn about industry equipment, tools, lawn care, lawn maintenance, classifieds, troubleshooting, and more! There is a drain plug on the bottom, under the deck but again, that isn't the source. Smooth and Quiet Power. Oil dripping down the fuel line onto the mower deck, engine covered in oily dirt, you get the idea. $800 Honda lawn mower leaks oil in just under a year! I checked the oil and found it to be a little low and filled it. By the way, I called the locao mower servicer and he said because of the sealed nature of the engine, it is a two hour minimum job starting at $120.00. Herein comes the vital part of our discussion. I will not be having this repaired under warranty. http://peparts.honda.com/powerequipment#/browse/lm/hrm/hrm215/HRM215K4-SXA, http://www.mylawnmowerforum.com/forr-discussion/8313-honda-gxv120-rebuild-2.html. Hi, just found this section on Garden Web. If it's loose or sated and still leaking either replace it or put some silastic around it. I have the same exact picture with my HRX but it's 3 years old and really noticed it this year.assumed it's a leak from a gasket but guess no gasket is in there lol. But first I cleaned it up good around the base above the mower deck. If the engine is operating at a higher temperature than this, the oil pressure will increase. I'll be 90 YOA on September 14, next, and still in good health! Pretty scary and dark, right? Come join the discussion about performance, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more! Under the valve cover or? 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. Hopefully the black stuff is just buildup of dirt/oil. 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. I got the flywheel off and checked the breather again. If it got out of place on assembly, or got nicked, or was too loose, you'd get oil seeping out onto the deck. 5 Reasons and FixesContinue, Lawn mowers rely on their blades as the component that actually does the cutting. So, with a little help from you all, it is now fixed with zero leakage either during or between uses. It could be the oil pan gasket has deformed, or moved out of its rightful place. Nonetheless, our best advice for such situations is to get them replaced, if not impossible to do so at the moment. Briggs and Stratton Engine Starts but Wont Stay Running! The air filter's purpose is to keep dirt and debris out of the engine, however over time it can become clogged with grass and dust. Breather tube is a lot easier to get at and fix too. So, if I pull the motor off the deck, is it just a matter of cleaning it up and searching for the crack? But why? wash off the grime and then watch and see if it comes back and then decide. Tipping the mower over to drain the oil is normal and will not cause a problem - its when you raise the side with the oil fill that oil may get into the carb. https://amzn.to/3jEcZH3Inline Spark Checker. It's like using an expensive A-bomb when a rifle will do the job. I was to the point of figuring out where I would find my next trimming mower. Whenever this ring seal is in tatters, oil will directly seep into your engine. With this, we have reached the end of our assistance on why Honda lawn mower leaking oil from the bottom. This is any easy fix.Bruce Pender's Small Engine Channel. Twin-Blade Efficiency. Nothing to lose. JavaScript is disabled. I did not know that though until I saw a YouTube video with my exact problem. While the parts for a valve gasket replacement may only cost around $10 to $40, the typical total cost of the replacement is actually much higher. And I will be updating this post on my findings so other . Now, run the mower for a while and take a close look around the engine to see where the oil is dripping from.