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I was just given ( actually loaned ) an older eXmark, a 2005 with a Kawasaki 15hp V engine. It runs fine but after using it the engine leaked fluid that appears to a gas oil combination. I immediately changed the oil and it appeared to be half gas ?

After filling with oil the mower ran fine, started right up and no blue smoke like a blown gasket or something, seemed to be fine. This morning when I checked the mower, it appears that it is leaking again somewhere adjacent to the center of the engine ( it is a twin cyl.) where the throttle & choke cables connect. ( I also had the gas valve turned off )

Any suggestions ??? Could gas be leaking internally into the crankcase ??

Thanks,
Rick

Sounds like the float needle is not seating properly. This will cause the carb to overflow, allowing fuel to enter the cylinder and then into the crankcase. Fix, rebuild the carb with a new needle and seat.

I guess that would explain why the oil check showed the fluid being overfilled but why is it leaking on the floor under the mower ?

Rivets said:

Sounds like the float needle is not seating properly. This will cause the carb to overflow, allowing fuel to enter the cylinder and then into the crankcase. Fix, rebuild the carb with a new needle and seat.

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And he said he shut off fuel valve. Why would needle flood crankcase if fuel was cut off.

Parkmower said:

And he said he shut off fuel valve. Why would needle flood crankcase if fuel was cut off.

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Fuel left in the carb ??

Rickcin said:

Fuel left in the carb ??

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Yeah there's some left in the line and carb after shutting off fuel valve.

Since nearly every valve ever made eventually fails, replace the shut off valve also and while you're there in that department it would be a good idea to replace the fuel line also since it is 7 years old.

Does it have a crankcase pulse fuel pump? If so the diaphrams could be leaking slowly filling the crankcase with fuel while sitting or running...

SandburRanch said:

Since nearly every valve ever made eventually fails, replace the shut off valve also and while you're there in that department it would be a good idea to replace the fuel line also since it is 7 years old.

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That makes a whole lot of sense!

Raw Dodge said:

Does it have a crankcase pulse fuel pump? If so the diaphrams could be leaking slowly filling the crankcase with fuel while sitting or running...

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Still unsure if it is leaking into the crankcase. I need to let it sit and keep an eye on it however it is leaking on the floor and seems to be coming from the areas where the cables connect to the carb.
It is a difficult area to see.

Raw Dodge said:

Does it have a crankcase pulse fuel pump? If so the diaphrams could be leaking slowly filling the crankcase with fuel while sitting or running...

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I do not know but could look on line at the engine part diagram.

Where would the pump be located on the motor ?

Thanks - Rick

Raw Dodge said:

Does it have a crankcase pulse fuel pump? If so the diaphrams could be leaking slowly filling the crankcase with fuel while sitting or running...

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I just looked on line and the fuel pump is attached to the outside of the block after the filter just before the carbs.

Is there a rubber line from the fuel pump to a fitting on the crankcase anywhere? If so remove it and see if there's fuel in it....you can also install a small clear section of line and when it's running look and see if fuel is in it. Any fuel in that line is bad. Replace the pump if there's fuel in the pulse line.

Raw Dodge said:

Is there a rubber line from the fuel pump to a fitting on the crankcase anywhere? If so remove it and see if there's fuel in it....you can also install a small clear section of line and when it's running look and see if fuel is in it. Any fuel in that line is bad. Replace the pump if there's fuel in the pulse line.

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Not understanding! From the filter the black tube goes to a circular device mounted to the block, that is a fuel pump ??
Then the hose goes to the carbs, I guess since it is not visible?

Yes circular thing on the block is the fuel pump.It needs the crankcase pulse to operate, that line could come in from behind the pump thru the shroud or from a different point. That line could be the point of fuel entering the crankcase.Most of those pumps are under 50.00.I have a few spares laying around, they are pretty universal...if I suspect a bad pump,Ill zip tie a spare to the original and hook it up and see if my oil stops getting diluted.

Raw Dodge said:

Yes circular thing on the block is the fuel pump.It needs the crankcase pulse to operate, that line could come in from behind the pump thru the shroud or from a different point. That line could be the point of fuel entering the crankcase.Most of those pumps are under 50.00.I have a few spares laying around, they are pretty universal...if I suspect a bad pump,Ill zip tie a spare to the original and hook it up and see if my oil stops getting diluted.

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This is great information since eI am not knowledgeable on this at all. Does it make sense that it is leaking while the gas valve is off and the mower has not been running ?

I will include a photo.

Thanks again,

Rick

If the gas valve is off it doesnt make sense at all. It makes more sense if the gas was on..if the fuel pump is leaking than it will likely suck fuel into the crankcase when its running.