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Hi, I've got a 97 Murray Lawn Tractor with a 20 hp Briggs & Stratton V Twin in it. There's oil getting all over the pulley and belts underneath. I'm pretty sure it's the output shaft seal leaking. Loses a couple of ounces of oil during a mow. None if it's not running. Now, I've never done one of these before so... how hard it this going to be? Could I just go underneath, remove the belt pulley, pop the old seal out somehow and then drive a new one back in? (I've been looking and it seems possible...) Or... am I going to have to pull the engine, remove the case and get it that way?

Thanks for all your help. :smile:

You can do what you were discussing, I have done it also, be aware that you need to put some sort of catch container under the crankshaft to collect the oil that runs out when the seal is removed. Something else to check before pulling the seal is see if you can wiggle the crank. I have seen more than one engine wear an egg shape in the bottom bearing which is what causes the oil leak. It will wear toward the rear of the mower since that is the side with the tension on it.

If you find the worn bearing, it will require replacing the sump, and the crankshaft, because it also damages the crank.

Can you remove an oil seal and install a new one, without pulling the engine? Yes it can be done, depending on you mechanical skill level and tools available. Are you able to get the front of the tractor up high enough to work comfortably? Do you have or can you get a seal puller? How comfortable do you feel with your mechanical skills? You can remove a seal without a puller, but you must be sure not to scratch the bushing surface. Even a small scratch can cause big problems down the road. How ever you decide to replace the seal, you must make sure that you have a very clean surface to slide the new seal back on. Also, make sure that you coat the seal and surface with assembly lube are light grease, when installing the new seal.

Brads said:

Hi, I've got a 97 Murray Lawn Tractor with a 20 hp Briggs & Stratton V Twin in it. There's oil getting all over the pulley and belts underneath. I'm pretty sure it's the output shaft seal leaking. Loses a couple of ounces of oil during a mow. None if it's not running. Now, I've never done one of these before so... how hard it this going to be? Could I just go underneath, remove the belt pulley, pop the old seal out somehow and then drive a new one back in? (I've been looking and it seems possible...) Or... am I going to have to pull the engine, remove the case and get it that way?

Thanks for all your help. :smile:

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I would look at it again myself. Make sure of where the oil is from....

Look closely and see if it has a contraption screwed into the drainplug hole..... Other spots too.

Normally a seal will leak while sitting still.

Thank you ILENGINE, Rivets & Fish. Appreciate your fast responses. I was hoping it was possible to do it without pulling the engine. Not that it's hard, more of a heavy thing. Anyhoo, yeah. I'll put it up on my floor jack, pressure wash it off and double check the leaks, then give the shaft a wiggle to check the bushing. A seal puller... now that's a problem. Too small a seal to use one for cars and such so guess I'll have to make something. Ah well, all part of the fun.

Thanks again. :smile:

Fish said:

I would look at it again myself. Make sure of where the oil is from....

Look closely and see if it has a contraption screwed into the drainplug hole..... Other spots too.

Normally a seal will leak while sitting still.

Click to expand...

Normally they will leak sitting still, but if you have a manual pto, and take pressure off the drive belt, it may not leak a drop. Releasing the clutch, and putting pressure on the drive shaft pulls the crank side ways allowing it to leak. have seen it three times on the briggs twin. I will actually wear a groove in the crankshaft with a matching high spot in the bearing surface.

ILENGINE said:

Normally they will leak sitting still, but if you have a manual pto, and take pressure off the drive belt, it may not leak a drop. Releasing the clutch, and putting pressure on the drive shaft pulls the crank side ways allowing it to leak. have seen it three times on the briggs twin. I will actually wear a groove in the crankshaft with a matching high spot in the bearing surface.

Click to expand...

Yeah, sounds right. If that's the case, guess I just replace the seal and see if it helps.