Export thread

Hello lawn and engine folks. I have a leak & question where I could use some Ideas or direction.
Have a Briggs & Stratton 22HP Intel V-Twin on a Simplicity mower.
Valve cover stamp:
Model 44K777
Type 0115 E1
Code 071015YG.

My issue is the O-Ring leaking at the oil pump cover.
Not leaking at the shaft seal, valve covers, or the large pan gasket.
I have clean, dried, and reinstalled with Permatex Red High Temp RTV. Still have the leak.
The O-Ring looks fine by visual inspection and is pliable without cracking or anything.
I can get a replacement and have no problem doing that but I'm suspicious of a loss of tolerance in some way for whatever reason.
So with that.... anyone know of a slightly thicker o-ring with the same internal diameter that would work and seal better?

Thanks for any replies.

Leaky.

Check your o-ring dimensions. They do flatten and leak.

The Briggs 690589 is a Buna-N O-Ring, 3.5 mm Wide, 47 ID 54 OD

LeakyBriggs said:

I can get a replacement and have no problem doing that but I'm suspicious of a loss of tolerance

Click to expand...

LeakyBriggs said:

anyone know of a slightly thicker o-ring with the same internal diameter that would work and seal better?

Click to expand...

Two conflicting statements??

Just get the OEM O-ring and call it a day.

Oh, I meant that if anyone had experience with this leak and had a recommendation of an O-ring that would be better/larger than the OEM then I would get that.
But if not, I'll try a new OEM O-ring.
Thanks.

Update if interested:
Replaced the o-ring this evening with an OEM one. Ran shortly and saw no leaks!
Will run longer tomorrow and look again.
Thanks.

slomo said:

Two conflicting statements??

Just get the OEM O-ring and call it a day.

Click to expand...

New OEM O-ring installed.

Ran maybe 30 seconds to a minute. Checked, no leaks.
It was getting dark so I called it a day.

Go out today to give it a longer run and check.
Didn't even run it. A run of oil on the frame in the same area..
Aggravating...

Anyone have any suggestions for fixing this leak?

Thanks.

I would use some UV dye to trace the actual leak source. Oil can appear to one place when they are actually somewhere else.

OR spary the bottom with spray talc or dye penetrant developer
Both f these will cost the surface with a powder so you can tack where the oil is coming from.
Could be a cracked thread on the pump cover , could be the dip stick seal could be the governor shaft
Tiny leaks that track olong crevises where you can not see them ( unless you are using the UV dye & black light ) then accumulate in the crevase around the oil fliter and drip from there

slomo said:

Have you ever pulled the metal engine shroud and cleaned the top of the block and cooling fins? This is a yearly maintenance item in ALL engine manuals. Neglect this and you are looking at engine damage.



Like Reply

Report

Click to expand...

Yes, I have done cleaned everything.
Maybe more information would help all that are trying to help me. Sorry, didn't mean to leave anything out.

Engine dropped a pushrod into the case. Wouldn't come out with any kind of tricks with a magnet so I had to take engine out, flip it, remove the pan, etc. Made sure to clean everything along the way. Fins, etc. Compressed air, brushes, brake cleaner. Cleaned and dried.

Found no damage internally to gears, crank, cam etc. Only the bent push rod.

Put everything back together with new gaskets except for the o-ring at the pump. Had read and seen video (Taryl) that it would be ok to use the original one.

Fired right up and runs "ok" to me. Still hear a little rhythm at running RPM rather than perfectly smooth. Thinking of adjusting valves again.
Also, I have removed the heads and inspected. Seals were not pushed out.

Now I have a leak at the pump housing plate where I didn't before and didn't have issue taking it apart or putting it together.
Also, as shown in this thread, I have since replaced the o-ring with a factor B&S one and still have the leak in the same place.

The orientation is 3 bolts with the one nearest the front right (if squatting in front of it) and the plate above that area leaking pretty quickly after running about a minute.

I have put dye in it this evening as recommended to confirm this. No leaks to be found at:
Valve covers
Heads
Sump Gasket
Governor Shaft
Dip Stick Housing
Drain
Oil Filter

Dye confirmed seeping from plate at both sides of the front right bolt after running for about a minute.

Thanks for reading and all replies.

Leaky.

StarTech said:

I would use some UV dye to trace the actual leak source. Oil can appear to one place when they are actually somewhere else.

Click to expand...

See above please.

Thanks.

I am suspecting the threads on that bolt this is leaking have been overtorqued and has pulled the threads leaving a ridge that is allowing oil to seep around that area.

You will probably find a crack in the oil pump boss caused by the pushrod
As it is coming into mowing season, live with it for now just make sure you check the oil every time you mow and every time you fill the tank while mowing

bertsmobile1 said:

You will probably find a crack in the oil pump boss caused by the pushrod
As it is coming into mowing season, live with it for now just make sure you check the oil every time you mow and every time you fill the tank while mowing

Click to expand...

As you can see, probably not an option. I don't have an "annoyance leak" where there are a couple of drops on the garage floor after mowing for an hour and putting away. This is after roughly 60 seconds and there is more on the towel below.

Tip for anyone, this is Leakfinder Dye LF2001 for oil based systems if needed. My area is clean, visible, and accessible enough that you don't need the glasses or light. You might with your issue though.

I do have another mower that is in good working order and being used. If there are no other ideas, guess I'll be looking to take it apart, flip it over, and replace the pan.

Anyone have that part number and/or a recommended supplier?

Thanks again for all the suggestions.

Leaky....

Update for anyone interested.....

I drained the oil, unbolted and raised the engine in place, took the plate off and cleaned all oil pretty thoroughly everywhere around the pump plate contact area with carburetor cleaner.

Put Permatex High Temperature RV "Red" gasket maker more liberally around the plate outside of the o-ring area AND also put some on each of the 3 mounting bolts. Put it all together and let dry 24 hours.
Ran it the next day at full throttle for 60 seconds. Shut it down, no leaks.
Let it completely cool.
Ran it for a couple of minutes at full throttle. No leaks.
Let it completely cool. No leaks.
Mowed with it about 30 minutes. Checked again. No leaks.
Checked it once more after completely cooling. No leaks.


Think bertsmobile is probably right with a crack somewhere in the front most bolt thread boss that allows oil through. Why I put caulk on the bolts. (I know, I know, will be a b!tch if ever needed to remove.)
But I rationale that the next step was to replace the bottom pan & associated parts/gaskets to fix it right and this is the first time it's ever been apart since new. (15 years at least)

Thanks for all that followed & offered input. It is greatly appreciated.

And now I've found a pretty good crack on the deck and got to start researching how to weld that!

Thank you for the heads up .
With a bit of luck we will never find the actual problem as you won't need to touch it again.

Glad you got it repaired. hopefully you won't have to deal with it again.