Kioti NX leaking engine oil from starter

Kioti Dave · Feb 18, 2019

Noticed today my 2016 NX4510 with only 65 hours leaking oil from tab on bottom of starter motor.

Only leaks when engine running. Think it can only be rear main seal???? Not very happy as it will probably require tractor split in half. Anyone else ever experience this? I just purchased this tractor in fall of 2018. Maybe sitting around for a couple of years was bad for seals?

Kioti Dave · Feb 18, 2019

One other note, the other day the engine dipstick blew out partially. Not sure if it was seated properly or not. Could there be excess pressure in the crankcase that is causing the problem? Not very familiar with this tractor yet. Not fun working on it in minus 20 weather.

xcgreene · Feb 19, 2019

Reading these two incidences, check the crankcase vent. Perhaps its clogged and pressurizing, pushing oil out. Just thinking out loud.

The vent is likely a PCV type in the head somewhere.

thekkfan · Feb 19, 2019

xcgreene said:
The vent is likely a PCV type in the head somewhere.

What he said. :2cents:

Kioti Dave · Feb 19, 2019

Vent looks fine. Since tractor under warranty, dealer coming out to look at it. Doesn't seem to be any pressure. Took out dipstick to relieve any possible pressure and oil still coming out. Gonna be a big warranty bill. Glad it's not on my dime.

Coyote machine · Feb 19, 2019

Sorry to hear about the leak. Aside from the -20 does it live outside or in, curious if the leak began when the real cold hit your neighborhood?

Kioti Dave · Feb 19, 2019

Yes, started when the cold hit. Tractor in a garage but not heated. Does not leak until up to operating temps. I think the seals deteriorated sitting around for 2 years, or just a bad seal? Dealer picking up Thursday.

Kioti Dave · Feb 19, 2019

Hey Coyote machine, how does the DK handle the Woods 72" mower. Thinking of getting a 7' for the NX for mostly light mowing.

Coyote machine · Feb 20, 2019

The Woods 72 is great! Not because I have it, but because it is well built, fits the standard width of the wheels on the DK-40, has not broken once since I've owned it and it just keeps on going. I wouldn't recommend a 7' brush cutter; from everything I've read on TBN it seems that's a very unpopular size, something about power to size, it's not 'in the zone'. Right size is what works best...

I agree that your seal(s) could fail from lack of use then extreme cold doesn't make them more resilient either. Good luck, I'm sure your dealer will get it fixed for you. Bummer it happened, but good news you caught it before worse outcome. Chin up!

finn1 · Feb 21, 2019

Plugged crankcase vent for sure.

This is a problem seen on four cylinder GM engines here in the North.

The crankcase vent plugs up wit ice in cold weather, and, with no flow path, internal pressure builds up, blowing out the rear seal and dipstick.

The rear seal has to be replaced, and the vent passages deiced and cleaned.