in the picture all I can make out is the engine mounting bolt. I would have no Idea where the engine is leaking oil. The crankcase vent is as a rule around the air cleaner because some of them vent into the air cleaner but not all. By chance could you have a cracked crank case? I would say clean everything up real good and start from there. I mean with a pressure cleaner. I have had a real hard leak to find before that I have even put white paper under what ever I am working on. I have found that oil will travel. I have found that sometime a oil leak can be very hard to find.
Thanks, Nick, for continued support. Yes, I did use a pressure washer. And, to go further, I pre soaked the entire engine and base with engine cleaner. It is squeaky clean. There was absolutely no oil residue left on the machine. Only then did I start it/mow 5-10 minutes to retest, and found the leak. Now, regarding photo, one doesnt have to see the oil (I admit, photo is not big enough), but the point of the picture is more to point out (literally, the point of the metallic awl) the LOCATION of the seepage. I dont know how it would help more to see the oil- the point is the same. How can oil SEEP to that area?
Thats why I gambled and replaced seal first, as I couldnt imagine any other leakage source (no biggee, and I have a new seal), but still, leak at that point where aluminum aloy engine base meets the frame of mower.
There are also no seepage from engine wals, so I assume as a result, no cracks on engine. I observed all this with oil leak test DYE, and uv light with special eye glasses. Fluorescence shows up ONLY at base- no other place.
Geeez, I may have to yank engine and place on my bench- I guess thats also not a big deal, right Nick? Im out of ideas.
Thnaks, Man.
