tallen4392 67 #1 Posted December 21, 2013 Hi i was thinking about buying this tractor with 800 hours on it with a oil leak anyone with any ideas thanks Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wallfish 15,937 #2 Posted December 21, 2013 Looks like it's been running a while with a blown head gasket. I'm no engine expert so maybe someone would know what kind of damage, if any that could cause. Maybe it just needs a new head gasket???? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 51,794 #3 Posted December 21, 2013 (edited) Wallfish is right, head gasket is bad. Probably hasn't dont too much damage. When you pull the head off you will want to clean and bead blast it, then check it to be flat as follows. Get some self adhesive 240 gritt sand paper, put it on a sheet of glass (flat hard surface) and lightly sand the head gasket surface, if it has been damaged the area where the leak was will show up. Good luck and keep us posted. Edited December 21, 2013 by 953 nut Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shorts 182 #4 Posted December 22, 2013 probably not a head gasket, It's a flathead engine design and their is no oil above the top of the block by design, more likely to be a gasket or seal some where lower on the engine that is leaking and being thrown/blown up to the cooling fins by the flywheel/cooling fan assembly. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Martin 2,130 #5 Posted December 22, 2013 i would expect it to be like shorts said, if you do get it though, just hope the block isn't cracked and is causing the mess, because that could be the case too.......... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ol550 829 #6 Posted December 22, 2013 Not to start a shouting match or border war, but I would bet on a leaking head gasket. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fordiesel69 214 #7 Posted December 23, 2013 A 12HP is more rare to crack than a bigger block 16HP or 14HP. But yes it could be and I would be afraid of that. HG or crank seal is more likely. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ARK 9 #8 Posted December 26, 2013 On a cold 12 HP, wash and power wash the complete engine. Let dry, redo the cleaning let dry. Check oil level and correct. Check cowling(s). Do a compression test even with torque restricted head and look for 90-120 PSIG, lower possibly a leak. Do leak down and re-torque head to 30 ft-lbs. Before attempting a start mix a paste of baking soda and water, spread onto head especially at bolts and edge of head. Let dry. (will clean off easily. Look fora shatter pattern if leaks outside. Remove plug and clean with Seafoam or carb cleaner, gap, anti seize plug torque then cover with baking soda let dry. When dry have a helper, remove ignition and then start engine, RPM will be less than 500 so compression will be low inspect all areas via baking soda for high blasting area, if any leaks, if none wash engine, let dry. Remove plug and pour in 1 oz Seafoam, let sit a few hours ignition on, start engine let idle until warm, with a bright light examine the lower parts of the engine for oil, check for exhaust smoke. When warmed slowly bring up RPM listening for miss, banging. The exhaust should be even with good pulsations, feel with your hand. That motor is a great motor likely no cracks but look for oil leaks and look for carry over from the cooling fan. Good luck! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fordiesel69 214 #9 Posted December 27, 2013 (edited) On a cold 12 HP, wash and power wash the complete engine. Let dry, redo the cleaning let dry. Check oil level and correct. Check cowling(s). Do a compression test even with torque restricted head and look for 90-120 PSIG, lower possibly a leak. Do leak down and re-torque head to 30 ft-lbs. Before attempting a start mix a paste of baking soda and water, spread onto head especially at bolts and edge of head. Let dry. (will clean off easily. Look fora shatter pattern if leaks outside. Remove plug and clean with Seafoam or carb cleaner, gap, anti seize plug torque then cover with baking soda let dry. When dry have a helper, remove ignition and then start engine, RPM will be less than 500 so compression will be low inspect all areas via baking soda for high blasting area, if any leaks, if none wash engine, let dry. Remove plug and pour in 1 oz Seafoam, let sit a few hours ignition on, start engine let idle until warm, with a bright light examine the lower parts of the engine for oil, check for exhaust smoke. When warmed slowly bring up RPM listening for miss, banging. The exhaust should be even with good pulsations, feel with your hand. That motor is a great motor likely no cracks but look for oil leaks and look for carry over from the cooling fan. Good luck! That is great advice, however if you have sand holes from a bad casting, there are such a minor leak that it takes several hours for the oil to seep out. Like I said, the magnums were good castings, and the 12HP has plenty of meat in the cylinder, but you never know if someone sprayed cool water on it and cracked it........ I have only rebuilt one 12HP k301 from back in the day that had a very bad casting. After boring it out to 10, we discovered some pin holes. Edited December 27, 2013 by Fordiesel69 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stigian 1,234 #10 Posted December 30, 2013 Could it be a blown head gasket and worn piston rings allowing the oil to get to the top of the piston? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites