CS2220 Engine Rear Oil Seal

[Slomotion]

I have a Kioti CS2210 that is little more than a riding mower on steroids, but I like it a lot for around the property. A bucket, 54" mowing deck, Quick-change forks, and a 3pt for carrying ballast in the winter. It has less than 100 hours, (96+) and is going back to the dealer in a few days for the second rear seal replacement. Fortunately, it's still on warranty, but I'm beginning to wonder if this is a Kioti thing, or if I may have gotten the runt of the litter.
While it's warming up there's a small, but constant drip from the back of the engine. The last time they replaced the seal - at about 50 hrs, - they replaced the seal boss-plate as well. In spite of the leak, I have yet to have to add oil, and if it weren't parked on concrete I may have never noticed, but now there's an old baking pan that lives under it.
As I mentioned, I like it a lot for what I use it for, but after the warranty wears out may not be able to afford it.
Has anyone else experienced this in Kioti?

Thanks

 

[FyreboltDesigns.com]

Out of the numerous CS10 or CS20 series we've sold at my dealership, I have yet to hear of one coming in for a rear main seal issue.
Is it a Shibaura Engine or Daedong Engine?
If I was doing the job, I would verify the rear main seal is leaking again and contact Kioti Support. If its not due to the tech installing incorrectly the first time, Kioti might need to get you a new engine.
The main bearings may be worn allowing the rear of the crankshaft to hop & wear down where the seal rides, because its not spinning in a circle, it may be spinning more like a small oval.
Of course they would need to send in an oil sample if this was the issue.

 

[Coyote_CS2220]

I see you signed on in 2024........when was your CS made?

With less than 100hrs on clock, a worn main shaft bearing/seal may be a sign that you have a defective shaft?

My experience with a defective head is here:
Poor QC of head lead to valve breaks.

Defective parts do happen and while trouble-shooting always starts with the easiest things first (replace seal) if it repeats then it is time to start looking for the real problem - not a symptom.

Sure it could be a worn bearing, but at <100hrs one would have to say defective bearing, no? Then if it is not a defective bearing, then a main crank sneaked thru the QC process un-noticed.

Not saying that is the case, but based on my experience sh*tte can and does happen in the manufacture/build process.

I thought about selling mine, but I decided to go with the known beast as opposed to the unknown beast and it has been trouble free since they machined out the valve wells and replaced the valves. I now have 400hrs on the clock and I have to admit it does the jobs it is intended for.

I don't use it for mowing the lawn - it is used primarily for moving stuff with the FEL over wet/uneven/small spaces.

Yea, I got an unlucky one - I wrote it down to Covid Manufacture Syndrome............but whatever you end up doing make sure the REAL problem is fixed while it is under warranty. The seal and/or a bearing may be symptoms and not the real problem.

Make the dealer find the real problem.

 

[Slomotion]

Thank you for your response K. This is a Daedong engine. I'm pretty sure the first time it went in the shop the techs didn't do a dial indicator runout on the crank, or mic it for out-of-round. An oil analysis would have been definitive for bearing material. I'll mention these things when it goes back this time, as twice in a short time is problematic. Thanks

Coyote, You're right, I'd rather have the "known quantity" fixed. I bought my unit new in April '24, and haven't used it except to mow the pasture, move dirt and woodchips for my wife's gardens during the summer, haul firewood in the fall, and move snow in the winter, all this is to say it's been lightly used.
It's going to the dealer in the next couple of days. Thank you for sharing your experiences with Kioti.
I'll pass on what they discover.

 

[flyerdan]

I would also doubt the bad bearing scenario, as to allow it to move that much, the mating transmission shaft would also have to have enough slop to allow it to move, and that should have some serious audible signs. More than likely, since this has been an issue from the get go, the crank was slightly dinged on nicked on install and it's been eating seals. It should have been inspected with a rag or fingernail for snags the first time. If there is a barb, dress with a small diamond file and burnish with 320-400-600 sandpaper until smooth. Put grease on the inside of the seal between the lips so it goes over the shaft easier and doesn't start dry.

 

[Slomotion]

The tractor has been at the dealer for three weeks. They did the 100 hour service and have decided to call in the district service tech to verify the oil leak initial repair and the recurring problem. In the mean time they've gotten the authority from Kioti and have ordered a new engine. Under the circumstances and reading between the lines, I suspect they're cutting losses while they can.
The saga continues......

 

[Coyote_CS2220]

Yea, ordering a new engine will cost less than the cost of tearing the old one apart to find the real problem.

Good move by Kioti - at least they did not try to blame the problem on something you did (bad fuel, non-OEM oil filter, non-OEM fluids......).

The downside is if a new engine is not in stock in the USA, you will likely be waiting awhile to get yours back.

Ask the dealer about a demo/loaner till yours is ready to go.

 

[Slomotion]

When they called me yesterday to tell me the situation that's exactly what I asked them. The new engine is in a warehouse here in the states, and they even volunteered a loaner if I needed one. Right now the ground is too wet to really do anything, so I told them I may hold off on the loaner. He said to not be bashful if I needed one, just call and they'd have one brought by the next day.
Other than the inconvenience, I think they're doing pretty well so far.

 

[Coyote_CS2220]

Sounds like you have a good/great dealer!

Feel free to give them a shout out here, because I can tell you my dealer was very different.

A good dealer should be acknowledged!

 

[vic4news]

Your situation was very similar to mine. I bought a brand new Kubota from a local dealer. Within a week I noticed it was leaking oil from the rear seal. Of course they couldn’t believe it as that never happens.

They picked it up and verified the rear seal was leaking. They didn’t even try to replace the seal and ordered a new engine. They immediately offered me a B21 as a loaner. I used it for three weeks clearing a quarter acre of woods. As this was my first tractor/TLB it was nice to learn what to do and what not to do on a loaner.

 

[Slomotion]

I agree Coyote, our dealer here is Topsham Tractor on hwy196 about a mile west of I 295.
They replaced the seal at 50 hours and said it was very unusual for that to happen. When it occurred again 50 hours later they looked at it a little differently. They told me they had a seal in stock and could replace it and I'd have the tractor back in a couple days, or if I could wait they'd replace the engine. I'll wait.

Vic, we're practically neighbors!

 

[vic4news]

My family is from Maine. Brewer on my Mom’s side and Richmond on my Dad’s side.
Lots of good memories vacationing in Maine