L2000 Leaking Oil from Hole in Bellhousing-HELP!!

[allantg]

Have an apparent sleeve missing from the right side of my tractor and when the engine in running I believe you can look into this vacant hole and see the flywheel turning. Don't know what happened, there is another similarly sized plug just above the teardrop flap as per the pic but still seems to be in place. I need to fix as oil is leaking from this hole when the tractor is in use. I have temporarily capped the hole with a crude wooden plug. Any help would be appreciated, thanks.

[Service Dept Vic]

Here's what you are looking at:

The sleeve that you can see the end of, is part of a rubber plug that was installed to protect the 'threads' that are in that hloe, as this is where a loader or bellymower bracketry attaches. It's OK to pull what's left of that plug out, the 'head' portion has allready fallen off.

The part you see moving when the engine is running is the flywheel. The teardrop shaped cover that you see protects the 'timing' marks on the flywheel, and it is through that window that you would check the engines injector timing.

The oil you are seeing is comming from one of four sources:

-The transmission is way too full and the excess oil is leaking into the bellhousing/clutch area by way of a vent hole above the main transmission shaft area
-The engines rear main seal is leaking
-A combination of both, with some condensate added in for good measure as the bell housing does collect it
-The front transmission input shaft seal is bad

Take a look on the bottom of the flywheel bellhousing and see if you can find what looks like a small drainplug. It won't have the same 17mm head size as the regular transmission oil drain plug, and will be located closer to the engine. If it's there, it is a condensate drain for the bellhousing. Remove it and see what comes out.

Once done, you can 'wash' that area with some brakkleen or similar engine degreaser by shooting it into the hole that was leaking and you'll see the dirt and muck come out that little drain.

Then, check the transmission oil level, adjust as necessary, check engine oil level, adjust as necessary.

Run tractor with plug out to see if you get drops of oil on the floor of the shop (put a cardbord piece down)

If the tractor continues to leak oil, you'll need to split the tractor and investigate.

[allantg]

Thanks Vic,

I did check the fluid levels and they seem OK. I did also locate the smaller drain plug you mentioned and removed it. Out came approximately a cup of black oil, presume engine oil and one bearing!!!! Where would the bearing have come from? Any idea??

Giles

[Service Dept Vic]

Well, clutch release bearing would be my guess since the engine didn't blow yp and the transmission shifts.

How noisy is that clutch when you operate it!

[allantg]

I don't hear any noise in the clutch, it seems to work smoothly. I did some road work with it last weekend and did hear some rattling on the right side of the tractor but seemingly closer to me, like something loose inside. I tried to determine where the sound was coming from, but with the tractor running and no stethescope, it was difficult. I planned to take my stethescope up this week to see if I can find out more.

I guess if you lost one bearing more will follow?? What engine bearings would be located or accessible to that bellhousing area?? Should I be greatly concerned about the engine. Both the engine and transmission seem fine, sound good???