Cub 1711 Bad Oil Leak.
 

Just picked up a 1711 with 44" deck and plow bade yesterday. I bought it understanding that there was a slight oil leak. It dripped a little when running. Figured I would use it to finish out this year and look into fixing it over the winter. Well I hooked up the deck and ran it for maybe 20 minutes. Checked the oil and it was low. Filled it back up, mowed a little longer. Low again. Now under the engine is drenched and it has gotten on the belt.

I love this little tractor and have no problem putting some elbow grease into it. It has the kt17 series 2 engine and I have read about the issues these engines have in hills. Half of my property is a hill. Should I attempt to fix the oil leak or just look for a different engine? My main question is what engines will work in this tractor? Oh and it's a hydrostatic model if that matters.

Before you go making decisions, why don't you go see where the oil is coming from. Might only be a $3 gasket or a $12 seal.

I think it's only the series 1 engines that have issues on hills.

Well. My concern is weather it's worth putting any time into this engine. I keep reading everywhere that if you use these engines on a hill it pretty much destined to throw a rod because of oil starvation.

Yep with the series 1 engines. Find out what is wrong with what you have before you have a melt down. You may be looking at a cheap fix. Take your time before you react. :beerchug:

Alrighty. I'm tearing it down now. Will post up what I find

Good luck.
It might be as simple as the crank oil seal behind the PTO. I just changed one a couple weeks ago on my 18hp and it isn't a difficult job. Of course it could be something else too.

I'm on the process of getting it back together. I believe the issue was the cylinder gasket. It goes between the cylinder and the block. Was only a $6 part but had to call around and special order it. I got the engine partially in the tractor and let it run for about 5 minutes and I didn't see any oil. So hopefully I'm good.

I thought your request for comments on a replacement was a bit premature. From what I have heard and read the big problems with the KT 17 engines were mostly with the series I. I believe that the series II engines have an oil pump that keeps things lubed even on hills. Glad you found your problem.

Glad you saved it. Keep us posted on the outcome. :beerchug: