Oil leak, 24hp Intek on Craftsman

[Domino300]

I came across this forum looking for info on my 2006 Craftsman 24hp Intek,48" mower which was leaking oil. Still does, but I bought another Craftsman 26hp/54" so in no hurry to fix it. Still haven't found the leak source, but finally got the flywheel off, but the project is on the back burner now. Oil was coming down behind the starter above the oil drain tube (which also leaked and was replaced with a bolt) which had me confused until I replaced the drain tube and was still leaking oil. Any body know of a common place for the leak?
Doug

 

[Fish]

There is not a lot there to leak, unless you had a hole or crack in the block. There is the sump gasket, which would be right above the oil drain.
The dipstick itself, and on top is only the crank seal, and in the front is the oil breather.

 

[motoman]

The dipstick is O ringed and there is surprising crankcase pressure on my (?normal?) running Intek 24, Meaning droplets could develop and drip down if the o ring is misssing or broken. The 13mm sump bolts loosen and even drop out where they stand on their heads waiting for you to refasten. By then crankcase pressure has blown out the RTV in places along the sump block plane so the engine will always weep until you go in. The retention of loosened sump bolts is cunning engineering. :laughing: I think fish is right on the top seal - can't remember but it must be a spring-loaded neoprene lip seal which should go on a long time unless impacted somehow.

 

[Domino300]

OK, thank you for the replies. I'll check out these things when I get time, maybe Monday.