[mrmondo]

After making a few rounds other day mowing I noticed some smoke coming out the front. After a closer look I saw some oil on the flywheel and a few drips on the frame as well as some slung on the inside of the engine covers. Dad always kept the covers off so may not have been as noticeable. I put them back on preferring the clean smooth look so maybe more smoke was held in the engine compartment. My guess is the rear engine seal is leaking a bit. It had to sit outside all winter since my shed isn't built yet, soon though. Anyway how tough will it be to replace that seal? Is a seal still available for the original 17 horse Kohler? The engine is still strong but just leaking a bit she was a pint low before I started which is more than normal. It does look like it is the only place it is coming from.

 

[mrmondo]

Mowed at brothers place other day with the 317 and wasn't bad. However was doing some mowing at my place today and a lot of smoke coming from engine compartment. Stopped and checked, lots of oil on the frame and slung all over the place. Had the covers off and noticed oil soaked on the tin work around the engine. So shut her down and got the old trusty L100 out to finish the job. Looks like going to have to use the L100 or put the deck on the 314 and use it to mow. Engine was running fine still so no issues there just oil flung all over. Am guessing, and any advise would be welcomed, that the seals on the engine are shot. With the issues the series 1 Kohler had the old girl is out of service till I get her taken care off. Might be a good time to think about a repower too but money is tight right now.

 

[inspired_metal]

Tim,
Check the oil levels and pressure wash the engine fairly well. Then I'd check all the obvious places you can see and start it for a while. If it starts to smoke or seep oil you should be able to see where it is from.

Good luck.
Dom

 

[vinnie110]

Make sure the O ring on the oil fill cap is in good shape

 

[mrmondo]

Fill cap is good. Oil is coming from the flywheel area. The frame under that is soaked in oil. Will try cleaning it and run it. Thanks will keep posted.

 

[jdmaninlouky]

Timothy -
Those series motors are notorious for pushing the main seal out from the engine case housing . If that's what you got , get the motor removed from tractor and then pull flywheel to get to the seal . Clean housing real good with brake cleaner dipped Q-tips to remove all oil residual on contact surfaces of engine and new seal . Apply some sealer to the seal bore and OD of seal . A light lube on the cleaned shaft , then press seal in to specified depth . Let cure 24 hrs. or so before using .

Dave

Ps. - It could also be something more simple to tackle , but I'm speaking of a known issue with this particular KT-17 , Or even Magnum engines have had .

 

[E Behm]

I had a 317 where the front seal would come out all the time. Did as David said and it cured it.

 

[mrmondo]

Thanks will look into that and give it a try.