Just bought a B6100E. A lot of old oil on the Woods 438 belly mower just under where what I would call the bell housing mates up with the back of the engine. Somewhere just above where the orange sheet metal starts, on the left side, sitting on the tractor, there is black oil leaking. Doesn't appear to be leaking when it isn't running and oil level on dip stick didn't change noticeably after mowing for about 45 minutes, but it sure made a mess on the trailer when I first picked the tractor up from the previous owner. I think that came off captive area on the mower where it had collected over time, when I backed it up the tailgate onto the trailer.
Story from previous owner was it had set for about 3 years with little use. It has a growling if you depress clutch and leave it in gear while running. From what I've read on here that's an indication of oil on the clutch.
Took it by our local Kubota dealer and he says it's the rear main seal. Saw a reply on here from Vic? to a guy asking about an oil leak on a 175 that stated "In my shop I've never seen a Kubota engine of any variant with a bad or worn rear engine seal and have replaced them only in the course of engine rebuilding." (04-20-2012, 09:17 AM RE: 175 Oil leak)
Found a mechanic that used to work at that dealer and he's quoting a $250-$300 price (labor) to replace the rear main seal.
Gentlemen, I'm a carpenter and 54 years old, I don't mind paying a professional to do mechanic work. I've messed enough stuff up over the years to believe they are worth what they ask. I'd like to be a bit more sure of the problem before I commit to the repair. I was ready to take it to him until I read that reply about rear mains rarely leaking.
I cleaned all the old caked up oil off and the leak seems to be high up, and running down the bell housing at that joint mentioned above. If I have it replaced, must the clutch be replaced as well? Except for the growling with the clutch depressed and still in gear everything seemed to operate well while mowing.
I've worn out a lot of riding mowers over the years and I was really tickled after mowing with this thing yesterday. Just like I've heard, it's a little tank!
Any advice would be most appreciated,
Lucky in Kentucky
Story from previous owner was it had set for about 3 years with little use. It has a growling if you depress clutch and leave it in gear while running. From what I've read on here that's an indication of oil on the clutch.
Took it by our local Kubota dealer and he says it's the rear main seal. Saw a reply on here from Vic? to a guy asking about an oil leak on a 175 that stated "In my shop I've never seen a Kubota engine of any variant with a bad or worn rear engine seal and have replaced them only in the course of engine rebuilding." (04-20-2012, 09:17 AM RE: 175 Oil leak)
Found a mechanic that used to work at that dealer and he's quoting a $250-$300 price (labor) to replace the rear main seal.
Gentlemen, I'm a carpenter and 54 years old, I don't mind paying a professional to do mechanic work. I've messed enough stuff up over the years to believe they are worth what they ask. I'd like to be a bit more sure of the problem before I commit to the repair. I was ready to take it to him until I read that reply about rear mains rarely leaking.
I cleaned all the old caked up oil off and the leak seems to be high up, and running down the bell housing at that joint mentioned above. If I have it replaced, must the clutch be replaced as well? Except for the growling with the clutch depressed and still in gear everything seemed to operate well while mowing.
I've worn out a lot of riding mowers over the years and I was really tickled after mowing with this thing yesterday. Just like I've heard, it's a little tank!
Any advice would be most appreciated,
Lucky in Kentucky