Kohler 26hp twin on Craftsman riding mower - oily carb???

[Richard001]

Oh, geez Richard. Thank you for enlightening me -

I should come to you for life lessons too, eh?

Perhaps you should. I could teach you how to have manners and not shoot off your mouth about things you know nothing about.

What does it mean to have manners?
Having good manners means behaving in a polite, respectful, and considerate way towards others, demonstrating an awareness of social customs and etiquette. It encompasses showing respect for others' feelings, comfort, and personal space, both in social and professional settings.

I've only fixed 500-600 machines/engines -

So, you must keep repairing the same machines over and over because you didn’t do it right the first, second or third time. That’s how you get the numbers up.

and when I see oil coverage, like this, in strange places like this, I tend to investigate as it is NOT normal.

At all. Your advice, to ignore, is pretty stupid, mate.

First, I am NOT your “mate” nor would I ever want to be. Again, you don’t know anything about me, so your condescending attitude means nothing.

Keep searching for that oil leak.

 

[MossRoad]

...What could be causing oil to get up here?

Bad breather system
Overfilled oil
Worn rings
Dipstick not seated
Really dirty air filter

Anything that could pressurize the crank case will cause oil to blow up the breather tube and into the carb area.

Plugged air filter can cause blown oil to accumulate on surfaces VS getting sucked into the carb to be burnt.

Does the engine actually lose any oil level over a given period of time? I've had a Kohler Command 25 in my machine for 24 years and there's always some oil inside the air cleaner area even though the breather tube exhausts directly over the carb. It doesn't look that bad from the pictures.

 

[jpilk99]

Bad breather system
Overfilled oil
Worn rings
Dipstick not seated
Really dirty air filter

Anything that could pressurize the crank case will cause oil to blow up the breather tube and into the carb area.

Plugged air filter can cause blown oil to accumulate on surfaces VS getting sucked into the carb to be burnt.

Does the engine actually lose any oil level over a given period of time? I've had a Kohler Command 25 in my machine for 24 years and there's always some oil inside the air cleaner area even though the breather tube exhausts directly over the carb. It doesn't look that bad from the pictures.

Great points, thank you. I'm going to give the breather tube/setup an extremely closer inspection as you and TomPlum have mentioned it. Don't believe over filled oil, really dirty air filter or dipstick not seated are the issues. Compression is quite good (both around 155-165) so not suspecting the rings.

This engine is new to me so can't comment on losing oil over time, but again, I'll check. Thanks again!

 

[hodge]

Has the air filter been oiled? Perhaps it's residue.

 

[RandyT]

My thoughts were either an overoiled air filter wrap, or something in that area that is seeping oil, and then getting blown around by the air off of the flywheel.

 

[jpilk99]

Has the air filter been oiled? Perhaps it's residue.

No, the filter is just clean foam rubber.

 

[jpilk99]

Quick update: I removed the breather tube and it's clean with no noticeable cracks or any damage. Other than a little normal grimy/dirt around the top of the engine and the breather housing, it all looked good. Even down inside the breather housing - very clean. So I believe that is functioning normally. I'm going to use some engine degreaser, get everything clean (to the best of my abilities) and then see if I can kind the source of any leaking. But honestly, from a number of comments here, it seems that it is not uncommon to get some oil up in that air box.

Thanks all!