Engine Toro Recycler 20031 from 2004 leaking oil on top of deck

[bertsmobile1]

Rings do not go from good to smoke blowing impossible to start oil guzzeling monsters overnight.
Too late to do a compression test now.
They should be done when the engine is new then annually so you can plot wear.

 

[rkhanso]

OK. I'm still not sure what to replace to fix the leak. The breather assembly or the sump gasket. Or maybe both.
But if it's a crankcase pressure problem, might the leak still be there?
If compression is not worth checking, is there a way to test crankcase pressure? A vacuum/pressure gauge connected to the breather assembly or somewhere? Would this tell me what to replace to fix the leak?

 

[rkhanso]

I think the problem must be the sump gasket. It doesn't leak very fast when the mower is not running, but I think it does after about 10 minutes - starts to leak a little....just barely.

I suppose I'll have to replace that sump gasket and might as well replace the breather assembly at the same time.

The sump gasket doesn't require an entire engine dis-assembly, correct? Just take the blade and pulley off, take the engine off the mower, remove the bottom cover and replace the gasket. Then, put everything back together?

 

[bertsmobile1]

Yes & no
Briggs use the sump gasket to set the end float of the crank.
When you buy a gasket you generally get a set of 3 or 4 so measure the thickness of the old gasket and put one in that is just slightly larget to allow for crush.
Apart from that nothing else to worry you much, clean the shaft bright & shinny and rplace the lower seal as you will damage it when you remove the sump.
I cover the crank with 2 to 3 turns of glad wrap then a touch of vasalene to ensure the new seal goes on without damage.