1864 Steering line leak.

[Shrewcub]

My uncle, that destroys everything he touches, asked me to mow his lawn tonight because his 2 pos's won't run. I agreed. Went fine and dandy until the end.

I thought I smelled some hytran as I was done. Get back to the house, fire up the leaf blower to blow the dirt/grass off, look down and the top of the deck is full of fluid. I think the lower cover has rubbed a hole in one line right at the steering valve.

I'll know more once I get the deck off. The one blind pic I took did perhaps reveal the source of the problem.

[Shrewcub]

It's not a rub, it's a hairline crack right at the flare. Anybody ever have any luck repairing something like this? Or should I call Mr Patton?

Sorry, you can't really see it in the low res pic.

Edit: Edited the pic to show about where the crack is.

[DieselDoctor]

The steel tubing has probably work hardened and become brittle with age and vibration. I doubt there's enough room to get a flaring tool on it to form a new flare. It may crack doing it, even if you are able to get the tool on the end of the tubing. I'd say either make a new one or look for a decent used one. Just my two cents.

[Shrewcub]

Originally Posted by DieselDoctor

The steel tubing has probably work hardened and become brittle with age and vibration. I doubt there's enough room to get a flaring tool on it to form a new flare. It may crack doing it, even if you are able to get the tool on the end of the tubing. I'd say either make a new one or look for a decent used one. Just my two cents.

Thanks! There is definitely no room for a flaring tool. There might be 1/2". I suck at bending brake line, let alone 3/8". I may see what Colliflower would charge to make one.

I have to wonder how long a used one would last? This one only made it 382 hours. The valve and the pump are both tight. The line didn't seem move at all when I loosened the fitting. The fitting was pretty tight. Maybe they got overzealous at the factory?

[DieselDoctor]

Anything is possible. It could have been a bad flare (not centered) from the original supplier. I've got a 1882 with over a thousand hours on it and dry as a bone. Personally I'd try a good used one. Several on Fleabay for around $30. Or from our sponsors.