Locating oil leak / SLTX - 1050

[CubbaCudet]

SLTX-1050
Kohler Courage 25 engine / Model SV730 Built 2011

I'm trying to make sense of what I'm seeing. I noticed I kept having to fill the oil more often than usual. Looked around the engine, noticed the valve cover which has the breather line that connects to the fuel pump had a lot of oily/black/sticky dusty residue on it (most of it was wiped off when I took the pictures).



YouTube people say the seal for the valve cover needs to be replaced, but looking at it, the seals look great/dry and I see no oil/leak/ around either valve cover seal.

The oily residue seems to be coming from the top somewhere around the valve cover and around the fuel pump.

There seems to be some oily residue inside the air filter compartment when the filter is removed.


I disconnected the breather tube from the fuel pump to test and it is 'puff puff puffing' air nicely, but there was a very small amount of oil on a q-tip swab in the oil pulse line when I swabbed the inside(may be normal?).

Both spark plugs, when removed, show a dry caked on black substance. It is not oily/wet at all and can be easily removed with a toothbrush.

I really don't want to remove the valve covers if not necessary seeing the seals truly appear intact with no leaks anywhere and the oil seems to be accumulating above the valve cover and near the fuel pump.

Someone told me the Breather Housing Kit KH-32-081-02S may need to be replaced, but I cant even find it with the engine cover off and am not sure if that would be correct.

Any thoughts would be appreciated as to where the oil could be coming from when I'm noticing it mostly collecting on top of the valve cover and under/around the fuel pump.

Thank you.

[ironman]

Maybe a breach in the fuel pump diaphragm allowing oil to be sucked into the gas side,
thus explaining oil loss and plug condition.

Also, the cover/pump hose connection could be better.

My ....

[CubbaCudet]

Thanks for the info.

I tested the fuel pump diaphragm just now by blowing into the center piece and felt quite strong resistance. Also blew into it while plugging the other two ports with my fingers and also felt resistance so I think that means the diaphragm is ok.

Do you think it could be the breather reed valve? I keep reading about this online but unsure where it is even when looking at the exploded diagram.

Thanks for noticing. I unfastened the fuel pump when I took that picture; thats why the hose looks loose there.

[ironman]

The read (#11) is located under the breather housing kit you mentioned. The Housing kit is unavailable.
Since you have it torn apart as far ad you do, I would pull it all out for inspection and cleaning. Nothing to lose.

[CubbaCudet]

Thanks for detailed reply including pictures!

Surprisingly, i found a breather housing kit in my grandfathers junk drawer

The area on and around the breather housing kit is completely coated with oil and dirt. I removed everything, degreased as necessary and everything looks brand new. The reed looks good too.


Reading an old post from in here years ago, the poster said he wonders if the 'breather is clogged'.
Is this (circled in red below) what he's talking about? Should I take this off and see if its clogged?
Partstree.com says its the 'Cub Cadet KH-32-096-06-S Breather Valve Cover Kit'

https://www.partstree.com/models/slt...e-breather-11/

10.jpg

If the 'clogged breather' is actually the part I took off (in the pictures below), it doesnt look clogged to me, so im really confused as to what to do next.


I have a theory that the reason there is oil all around the governor bushing and shaft is because the breather is clogged. But im confused as to two parts:

1. The breather housing kit and

2. The Breather Valve Cover Kit (circled in red)

Which is the old poster thinking was clogged? 1 or 2? and what benefit would I get from taking the cover off? Are there moving parts under the cover which I can clean gook out of?

Thank you again so much!

[CubbaCudet]

This thread can be closed. The SLTX-1050 is no more and has passed on to bigger and better lawns.
A moment of silence please.