Oil Leak, B&S ELS 725

[Crapgame]

I own a 2004 LT1024 with a 24HP B&S ELS 725 (50” deck & 42” Snow Blower), this is my second Cub (first was a 124). I ended up buying this one because my original Cub’s Kohler blew up and Hickory International wanted over $1,200. to rebuild or replace it (I would have done it myself except I didn’t have time and the grass was getting long). They had a “Sale” going at the time (0% financing for two years). I was quite pleased that it had a B&S engine; all my past experiences with them had been great. Overall it has worked well, the 50” deck saved me about ½ hour mowing time and the 42” blower is easier than the old plow (weighed a ton) with the 124.

I am a maintenance nut when it comes to my power equipment & autos, and have treated the Cub accordingly. Late last fall the B&S developed a small oil leak, after my initial investigation I was unable to determine the source. I continued to use it for the rest of the mowing season, being careful to check the oil level every ½ hour during mowing. This past winter was not too bad so the blowing was minimal (I also checked the oil during blowing quite frequently). This spring the oil leak has progressed so that I need to do something about it for fear that I will cause extreme damage to the engine. I have searched the WEB for information on the oil leak; I have located only one such posting relating to an oil leak. Their problem ended up being the Sump gasket and the lower seal for the crankshaft (they had posted that there was some type of dispute between the labor union & B&S therefore the union guys didn’t torque the engine bolts to the required specs, not sure I believe that, there would be many more postings). I know that the engine needs to be removed to accomplish the replacement of those (assuming that is the source of the leak, in any event I need to remove it or the many surrounding peices of hardware \ parts to locate the leak).

Due to my present financial situation, my only recourse is to make the repair myself. I have searched and found a service manual for the 1024 (online). The manual I located has no references to removing the engine; I know that the PTO must be removed to extract the engine. Do you know where I can locate a manual that will provide the necessary information so I may accomplish the removal and re-installation? I am also in need of the service manual for the B&S, Model 446777, Type 0302E1, Code 040427YC so I have the necessary torque #s.

Thanking you in advance:

Crapgame / Kevin

[Crapgame]

Here is an update…..

I cleaned the engine & the engine compartment this morning with some Gunk in an effort to see where the leak was originating. Ran the Cub for about 15 minutes after hosing the engine and compartment, after about 10 minutes of running some new oil appeared on the mounting deck, right side (facing the tractor from the front).
I removed the top cover (air filter) and the heat shield over the cylinder. The oil is leaking from the sump gasket under the right side of the cylinder assembly. Just to satisfy my curiosity I checked the tightness of the bolts, as suspected loose.

Here is the next question…… Does anyone think I may be able to get away with just tightening them to the right torque?

Crapgame

[Methos]

Originally Posted by Crapgame

Here is an update…..

I cleaned the engine & the engine compartment this morning with some Gunk in an effort to see where the leak was originating. Ran the Cub for about 15 minutes after hosing the engine and compartment, after about 10 minutes of running some new oil appeared on the mounting deck, right side (facing the tractor from the front).
I removed the top cover (air filter) and the heat shield over the cylinder. The oil is leaking from the sump gasket under the right side of the cylinder assembly. Just to satisfy my curiosity I checked the tightness of the bolts, as suspected loose.

Here is the next question…… Does anyone think I may be able to get away with just tightening them to the right torque?

Crapgame

It's worth a try!

[Crapgame]

New update……..

Yesterday morning I opted to attempt to tighten the bolts on the sump to stop the oil leak. Once completed, I reassembled the engine (heat shields, cover & air filter assembly) and promptly started it. I left it running for about 10 minutes in the driveway looking for the resumption of the leak; I saw a small trace of oil but was unsure if it was residual or new. Additionally, the engine was running at a low RPM therefore I assumed that the maximum pressure on the oil lines had not been reached. I shut the engine down, waited a few minutes then checked the oil, all was fine.

I decided to up the RPMs by cutting a portion of the lawn, about ¼ acre \ ½ hour then check the leak. Although the leak has been significantly reduced I was unable to completely stop it.

So it appears that my late spring \ early summer project is to remove the engine and replace the gasket & seal. First task will be to build some sort of a rack to enable me to get under the CUB so I can remove the PTOs to facilitate engine removal. I assume the whole project of the gasket and seal replacement will only take a few hours.

I am still in need of the engine removal / installation instructions and the engine torque specifications and would sincerely appreciate any assistance in obtaining them.

Thanking you all in advance

Crapgame