Craftsman GT6000 drive belt replacement

[Auto Doc's]

Thanks for the link, I'll check it out.

Way too many people these days don't understand (or ignore) the age-old rule of "love thy neighbor as thy love thyself' or anything about reciprocating courtesy. They all seem to want something for nothing and not work for anything.

I grew up out in the mountains of Virginia back in the 70's and often times bartering and helping neighbors was a way that everyone was able to get by in life. Much of the time a simple "thank you" and genuine appreciation was all that was needed. I call it payment to the soul.

It was a culture shock when I came to South Texas in the late 80's with the military. Many the civilian local people were outwardly suspicious of everything and everybody. It took years in some cases to build community relationships with some people. It helped when they started teaching me some basic Spanish and some of the cultural differences.

There are still a lot of good people in the world of every ethnic culture, but way too many have just become self-serving and only interested in their own self gain.

Modern (distorted) 24/7 news and smart phones are the demise of genuine human communications.

 

[Forest#2]

I did not read all of your post, but if you will get the EXACT model number from your mower, usually from under the seat and download a free owners manual it usually has all the exact steps for replacing belts and adjustments for the GT series of tractors.
Instead of using a jack for lifting mowers I have a 1 ton chain hoist, that way none of the jack is in the working area, but always use a addition safety stand underneath so if the main lifting fails you will not get smashed.

Shade tree mechanics (I also use such) use the hoist method underneath a large shade tree. (but also use safety stands)

 

[sheetmetalbabe]

Thanks for the link, I'll check it out.

Way too many people these days don't understand (or ignore) the age-old rule of "love thy neighbor as thy love thyself' or anything about reciprocating courtesy. They all seem to want something for nothing and not work for anything.

I grew up out in the mountains of Virginia back in the 70's and often times bartering and helping neighbors was a way that everyone was able to get by in life. Much of the time a simple "thank you" and genuine appreciation was all that was needed. I call it payment to the soul.

It was a culture shock when I came to South Texas in the late 80's with the military. Many the civilian local people were outwardly suspicious of everything and everybody. It took years in some cases to build community relationships with some people. It helped when they started teaching me some basic Spanish and some of the cultural differences.

There are still a lot of good people in the world of every ethnic culture, but way too many have just become self-serving and only interested in their own self gain.

Modern (distorted) 24/7 news and smart phones are the demise of genuine human communications.

I did not read all of your post, but if you will get the EXACT model number from your mower, usually from under the seat and download a free owners manual it usually has all the exact steps for replacing belts and adjustments for the GT series of tractors.
Instead of using a jack for lifting mowers I have a 1 ton chain hoist, that way none of the jack is in the working area, but always use a addition safety stand underneath so if the main lifting fails you will not get smashed.

I did not read all of your post, but if you will get the EXACT model number from your mower, usually from under the seat and download a free owners manual it usually has all the exact steps for replacing belts and adjustments for the GT series of tractors.
Instead of using a jack for lifting mowers I have a 1 ton chain hoist, that way none of the jack is in the working area, but always use a addition safety stand underneath so if the main lifting fails you will not get smashed.

Thanks. I got it done though. No lift, no blocks. I don't even have a garage. It ran great but now it's leaking oil, lots of oil. 1/2 a quart per acre. Any hot tips there? I think that might be over my head. I already did the rocker arm covers. Not there.

 

[Auto Doc's]

Thanks. I got it done though. No lift, no blocks. I don't even have a garage. It ran great but now it's leaking oil, lots of oil. 1/2 a quart per acre. Any hot tips there? I think that might be over my head. I already did the rocker arm covers. Not there.

The likely possibility is the oil cooler O-ring if it has an oil cooler where the oil filter mounts.
Second possibility is the bottom case/sump gasket if it has oil all around the platform where the engine mounts.
Third would be the crankshaft seal if it has oil all around the bottom side of the engine and electric PTO.
Does it smoke badly? If so, the cylinders and pistons are likely bad.
1/2 quart per acre is pretty serious.

 

[Auto Doc's]

Thanks. I got it done though. No lift, no blocks. I don't even have a garage. It ran great but now it's leaking oil, lots of oil. 1/2 a quart per acre. Any hot tips there? I think that might be over my head. I already did the rocker arm covers. Not there.

The likely possibility is the oil cooler O-ring if it has an oil cooler where the oil filter mounts.
Second possibility is the bottom case/sump gasket if it has oil all around the platform where the engine mounts.
Third would be the crankshaft seal if it has oil all around the bottom side of the engine and electric PTO.
Does it smoke badly? If so, the cylinders and pistons are likely bad.
1/2 quart per acre is pretty serious.

 

[sheetmetalbabe]

The likely possibility is the oil cooler O-ring if it has an oil cooler where the oil filter mounts.
Second possibility is the bottom case/sump gasket if it has oil all around the platform where the engine mounts.
Third would be the crankshaft seal if it has oil all around the bottom side of the engine and electric PTO.
Does it smoke badly? If so, the cylinders and pistons are likely bad.
1/2 quart per acre is pretty serious.

Well.... it's been leaking for a long time. It would smoke on occasion when I would first start it. Just the oil that had leaked while it sat there burning off the motor I thought. It leaks while just sitting, does that mean it's not in the motor? I just had wiped it all down and had it cleaned to put two new belts on. When I started mowing it started leaking real bad. It smoked so bad cars were slowing down to look. But the grass was so tall I just kept mowing. I think it was dripping on the new belt because sometimes it didn't want to move forward so well and then it would get its power back. But it would smoke real bad first like oil dripped on something hot. There's oil all over everything. I used to think it might be where you let the oil out. There is a little puddle there too on both sides. It went from a slow leak to an emergency, Idk if I can mow the whole yard again. Does that mean anything? Get a new mower?

 

[Auto Doc's]

Well.... it's been leaking for a long time. It would smoke on occasion when I would first start it. Just the oil that had leaked while it sat there burning off the motor I thought. It leaks while just sitting, does that mean it's not in the motor? I just had wiped it all down and had it cleaned to put two new belts on. When I started mowing it started leaking real bad. It smoked so bad cars were slowing down to look. But the grass was so tall I just kept mowing. I think it was dripping on the new belt because sometimes it didn't want to move forward so well and then it would get its power back. But it would smoke real bad first like oil dripped on something hot. There's oil all over everything. I used to think it might be where you let the oil out. There is a little puddle there too on both sides. It went from a slow leak to an emergency, Idk if I can mow the whole yard again. Does that mean anything? Get a new mower?

You need to wash it down good (while cooled down) with a good soap like Dawn and get as much oil of as you can. A stiff paint brush and a rag to scrub it well will help a lot. Rinse and then let it dry. From there, run the engine at idle and watch for oil drips. It will be much easier to see where the oil is coming from the most. You may have more than one leak.

If you are not smoking out of the exhaust badly, there is oil leaking onto hot engine parts.

 

[sheetmetalbabe]

You need to wash it down good (while cooled down) with a good soap like Dawn and get as much oil of as you can. A stiff paint brush and a rag to scrub it well will help a lot. Rinse and then let it dry. From there, run the engine at idle and watch for oil drips. It will be much easier to see where the oil is coming from the most. You may have more than one leak.

If you are not smoking out of the exhaust badly, there is oil leaking onto hot engine parts.

Good morning.
So we meet again, lol. I thought after the new belts I would be set for the summer. NOT. I've cleaned it off and tried to see where the leak is many times. But I guess I'll give it one more shot. I'm wondering if it's worth fixing at 11 years old if I have to pay someone to fix it. I think they should last 30 or 40 years with good maintenance, but I guess they are mass produced, and they just don't. Other than the oil leak and two bald front tires, it runs and still looks good. No rust, hahahaaa. The oil keeps it nice and new looking when you wipe it off. It's always had a problem with random bolts falling off. MAYBE the oil filter wiggled loose. 3 bolts fell out of the exhaust, and I had to Loctite them in. A bolt fell out of the plate where the tie rod hooks too, lucky I found it in the grass. So, I'll wipe it off and fill it up and mow again tomorrow. It took probably 5 hours to mow the other day because I had to keep going over the same areas because the grass was so tall. If I pray hard enough a chunk of dirt might get wedged in there and stop the leak!! Happy Mother's Day!! LOL

 

[Forest#2]

You say it also leaks oil when the engine IS NOT RUNNING.
If so this should be easier to locate the leak.

Might could use a dye in the oil to locate the leak.
Use about 1/4 oz of motor oil dye. You can review such on-line.

 

[sheetmetalbabe]

Yes, it leaks when it is just parked. I have a little mess after winter to clean up.
I will check that out on YouTube. Thanks for the tip.