K301 12hp Engine
 

Hi guys,

I have this K-301 12 hp engine on my Cub Cadet 73. Today after mowing, I noticed some exhaust on the left side of the engine. Couldn't really tell where it was coming from. I'm wondering if the head gasket is leaking. Is this a common issue with these old engines?

I plan to do a cold start this week & see if I can see exactly where it's leaking from.

Its Not uncommon. If your seeing smoke from over head area you could also have a mouse house burning under tins... Very common.

Today, I did a cold start & ran engine for about 10 minutes at various speeds & thank goodness the head gasket is not leaking.
The exhaust is coming out on top of the elbow pipe where the muffler clamp attaches to. Is there some kind of a gasket that goes there? It looks like there is some sort of split tin sleeve in where the muffler is attached. I don't like exhaust leaks and this one blows pretty good on my hand & back towards the carburetor.

Thanks again!

no gasket, common leak point.
Might try some red RTV gasket maker crap on the elbow when installing the muffler over it and maybe a new clamp.
Ever new mufflers and elbows will leak if not tight around the pipe it is clamped to..
Are you using a common U clamp with collar or the surround type with one bolt?

It has the surround type clamp with one bolt.
Thanks

Ho kay.
another way to fix the leak is to heat up the split muffler spigot area with a torch and gently hammer the area to decrease it's diameter and reclamp it.
Sometimes it is easier/better to remove the muffler and put a piece of pipe in your vise and heat and hammer the muffler spigot shrinking it smaller on the pipe.
That way you don't take the chance of damaging an already old/rusted weak nipple in the head, opening a ball of worms to replace it.
Sometimes one gets lucky and uses a new clamp,if old one is weak/damaged, tightening it cold then heating it up by running/working the engine, and several times keep tightening the clamp.
works well if you have no access to a torch or don't want to shrink the muffler spigot over a pipe.
---Exhaust leaks are annoying :BlahBlah:

I would think that would have the opposite effect resulting in stretching the pipe instead of shrinking it.

Excessive working of the spigot would, but working hot they tend to shrink down just a bit when they cool.
we are not talking a lot here.
Most times the pipe gets egged a bit from the clamp "puckering" it.
When restored back round, they usually seal up nicely when tightened hot.

Thanks it's an older muffler but has a new clamp that was put on during engine swap last year. I guess I could try tightening the clamp but would it be best to do that with the engine cold or hot?
Thanks

hot,
and better if the bolt/nut was treated to a small dab of copper anti-seize.