A Lawn Tractor question
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Senior User
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From: Jacksonville IL
A Lawn Tractor question
Got a riding lawn mower from Sears couple years back. Recently, it started spewing oil out from one side. On close inspection, I saw there is crack in the engine block !!
Well, got no budget to buy a new engine or a new mower. What are my options here? Will JB weld stop the leak for this season at least? Engine is Kohler twin cylinder.
Well, got no budget to buy a new engine or a new mower. What are my options here? Will JB weld stop the leak for this season at least? Engine is Kohler twin cylinder.
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From: MA
Originally Posted by nsaikia
Got a riding lawn mower from Sears couple years back. Recently, it started spewing oil out from one side. On close inspection, I saw there is crack in the engine block !!
Well, got no budget to buy a new engine or a new mower. What are my options here? Will JB weld stop the leak for this season at least? Engine is Kohler twin cylinder.
Well, got no budget to buy a new engine or a new mower. What are my options here? Will JB weld stop the leak for this season at least? Engine is Kohler twin cylinder.
My brother has been finding mowers for free and all they need is fresh gas and a spark plug and they run fine...
I have seen tractors for free on there also..
It may take some time to find one though...
Not sure if JB weld would hold...
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From: Jacksonville IL
I am pretty pissed at sears though. Two year old mower should not have a cracked block. And warranty just ran out on April.....oh well.....
I need to do something to get this season out and I need a quick fix as my grass is growing like crazy. Is there anything at all that will seal the crack for a little while?
I need to do something to get this season out and I need a quick fix as my grass is growing like crazy. Is there anything at all that will seal the crack for a little while?
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From: Cincinnati Ohio
it wouldn't hurt to try JB weld since the area you describe isn't holding any pressure.If you were to use JB weld i would only make it temporary. I wouldn't put the blame on Sears yet it could of actually been something you did to it...possibly overheat it somehow.
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I'd try the JB weld.
Drain the crankcase
Use brake cleaner to clean all oil residue off the block
Mix and apply the jb weld (you might need to scuff up the surface some)
Let the weld cure for as long as you can
Remember to refill the crankcase before you mow again. You might want to pull a spark plug as a reminder so you can't start it accidentally.
Where are you located? I'd check on Ebay and find a case or ingersoll garden tractor. Best ever/still made.
Drain the crankcase
Use brake cleaner to clean all oil residue off the block
Mix and apply the jb weld (you might need to scuff up the surface some)
Let the weld cure for as long as you can
Remember to refill the crankcase before you mow again. You might want to pull a spark plug as a reminder so you can't start it accidentally.
Where are you located? I'd check on Ebay and find a case or ingersoll garden tractor. Best ever/still made.
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From: Jacksonville IL
I am not sure how I could have overheat it. But here are few things debatable:
1. Haven't changed oil this season yet. But have ony start cutting grass since April.
2. Few weeks back, throttle cable broke. So, I leave it on full throttle all the time. But isn't a mower suppose to run on full throttle?
Rest everything is untouched. For it to overheat and crack like that, I would think it has to run extra lean and I can't seem to find a reason that could happen.
Anyway, I think by next year, I should have funds to either get a replacement engine or buy a new mower.
1. Haven't changed oil this season yet. But have ony start cutting grass since April.
2. Few weeks back, throttle cable broke. So, I leave it on full throttle all the time. But isn't a mower suppose to run on full throttle?
Rest everything is untouched. For it to overheat and crack like that, I would think it has to run extra lean and I can't seem to find a reason that could happen.
Anyway, I think by next year, I should have funds to either get a replacement engine or buy a new mower.
Last edited by nsaikia; Jun 18, 2007 at 12:07 PM.
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From: Southern MD
Originally Posted by nsaikia
Got a riding lawn mower from Sears couple years back. Recently, it started spewing oil out from one side. On close inspection, I saw there is crack in the engine block !!
Well, got no budget to buy a new engine or a new mower. What are my options here? Will JB weld stop the leak for this season at least? Engine is Kohler twin cylinder.
Well, got no budget to buy a new engine or a new mower. What are my options here? Will JB weld stop the leak for this season at least? Engine is Kohler twin cylinder.
I'd look at the local 'dump' for a throw-away mower, and use that engine.
OR
Using the Sears model #, purchase another block, then disassemble the engine and swap all of the internals to the good block, then re-install good engine back into the mower.
Lastly, are you sure that you are seeing a CRACK in the engine block???
I'm familiar with different engines, but not with Kohler engines.
You might be seeing where the block halves are put together and the gasket/seal is missing/torn/never existed. (Possibly!!!)
To replace the gasket (if this is the culprit) a tear-down is still called for, but, at least you know that the block is salvageable.
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Cargo Master
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Look around for used engine. Or parts mower of some sort. I am thinking that might be some of my winter projects.
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Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: wi
i found a crapsman rider at the county dump.it run good just the tires were flat .you might get lucky enuff to find a free one there.nowdays moneys to easy for john Q pubic to come buy and they throw to much good stuff away. jb it up and the search for a cheap or free replacment is on!!
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Senior User
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From: Jacksonville IL
It is definitly a crack. I actually never thought of buying just the block and transfering stuff over from the cracked one (that is if all other parts are intact !). I will try the JB weld route to get me through for now.
Fleet Mechanic
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THe problem is that a lot of people simply cannot afford a 3000 dollar john deere mower. If you pay less than that, then you are getting essentially a sears, murray, etc. The REAL john deere's are pricey. Personally, i wouldn't pay for a deere, id rather have something like an ingersoll or something like that. For less than 1000 bucks, you can find a good used garden tractor on craiglist. I would shoot for something from 1968-1980 when they still made machines that were worth something. I would take a 1978 Case garden tractor over a fancy new kubota or deere any day of the week.
As for the mower, don't blame sears, they didnt make the block. Kohler is the one to blame. I always thought kohler were fairly decent engines.
As for the mower, don't blame sears, they didnt make the block. Kohler is the one to blame. I always thought kohler were fairly decent engines.
Last edited by ag-ford-4x4; Jun 18, 2007 at 05:46 PM.
Posting Guru
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From: Home, at last!
Ummmm, I'll refrain from the self serving jokes.
Look around town for the guy that has a bunch of mowers in his front yard with a "for sale" sign. You will find something to repair or replace yours!
Look around town for the guy that has a bunch of mowers in his front yard with a "for sale" sign. You will find something to repair or replace yours!
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: New Roads, La
Growing up on a farm ive seen lots of things... including jb weld on motor blocks heads etc. clean it up with acetone or s/t and ruff it up with a wire brush, etc. clean it again and put it on thick. spread it out about a inch on either side of the crack and make a mound. let it dry filler up with oil and you should be good for a while.