ZD 326 Rear Main Seal Leak at 500 hrs

[Mowing Enthusiast]

Hi.

Purchased a ZD 326 in 2008 and since accumulated 502 hrs of mowing time.

Oil, filters and fluids have been changed multiple times.

Discovered a small spot of oil on my garage floor under the back rear of the ZD 326.

After a couple of calls and some online searching it appears that the ZD 326 might have a rear main seal leak.

Was told that the motor needed to be removed from the mower to replace the seal.

Was given estimate nearing $1000 for the repair.

When I finally came to and picked myself off the floor I thought I should reach out to the inter-webs to see if there are any other options.

 

[lugbolt]

Yeah there is another option. Let it leak.

There's only one way to fix it. Addressing the bulletin, you remove the engine, remove the flywheel, rear main seal will come out easily, then they'll install a sleeve on the crankshaft, a new seal of a different material, then reassemble everything.

It's not all that hard. A little time consuming. I would think $1000 is a high estimate. Perhaps they're estimating high. I could usually do them in roughly 4.5 hours give or take, start to finish.

yes there was a bulletin that referenced this very issue, and should you choose to let a dealer repair it (which is highly recommended), ask them to dig up the service bulletin which gives the part numbers for the seal and sleeve. This is a permanent repair if done properly. Just stuffing a seal in (which is what most unknowing shops would normally do) will result in a leak again.