Oil & Fuel oil in the bellhousing

dieseltrac · Oct 13, 2009

I have a 2003 farmPro 2425 leaking oil out of the starter that is bolted to the bellhousing of the tractor. The fluid appears to be comming from the transmission. I have a few questions
1) Should there be any oil what so ever in a bellhousing?
2)Would this indicate a bad seal on the tranny?
3)How much of an issue is it to replace that seal/will the tractor have to be split apart?

Oh yeah one more. Will this destoy my cluch if I take no action? I assume it will from what I've read.

RonMar · Oct 13, 2009

dieseltrac said:
I have a 2003 farmPro 2425 leaking oil out of the starter that is bolted to the bellhousing of the tractor. The fluid appears to be comming from the transmission. I have a few questions
1) Should there be any oil what so ever in a bellhousing?
2)Would this indicate a bad seal on the tranny?
3)How much of an issue is it to replace that seal/will the tractor have to be split apart?

Oh yeah one more. Will this destoy my cluch if I take no action? I assume it will from what I've read.

Well ifyou are getting gear oil out at thestarter, it is deep enough in the housing that the ring gear is touching it. There should be a small drain/weep hole down at the bottom where the bellhousing meets the engine to prevent any fluid buildup in the housing. It is probably painted over or filled with rust/crap. GET THAT OPEN ASAP!

In answer to your questions:
1. NO
2. If it is gear oil, Yes a bad shaft seal or gasket on the forward access plate that holds the seal.
3. Yes, you will have to split the tractor to get at the front transmission seals.
4. Yes, oil on the flywheel will ultimately kill your clutch...

Affordable · Oct 13, 2009

You have to find out if it's engine oil or transmission oil,both require you to split the tractor

The rear main is in the bell housing, if it's coming from the transmission it's prob. the o-rings that seperate the main clutch shaft and the PTO shaft

Yes if you let it go you will wipe out the clutch also

Tommy
Affordable Tractor Sales
" Your Jinma Parts Superstore"
Home of compact Jinma, Foton, and Koyker Tractors and Parts, Wood Chippers, Backhoes - Affordable Tractor Sales Company

Bob Rooks · Oct 14, 2009

I concur with the others, the clutch housing is no place for oil of any kind (unless it's a wet clutch, which these machines don't have).
My vote is for the crankshaft seal because it's tell-tale sign is at the starter, which bolts to the engine side of the clutch housing, capturing the oil as its slung from the backside of the flywheel. There probably isn't much oil, if any, in the bottom of the housing, mostly strewn around the periphery.
Sometimes this issue can be temporarily alleviated (without splitting the tractor) if there is excessive crankcase pressure (blow-by) caused by an inadequate crankcase vapor evacuation system.

erj · Oct 14, 2009

Here is the Weep Hole that RonMar mentioned.
RonJ

Red55 · Oct 17, 2009

Ron
Thanks for the picture been looking for that weep hole to make sure it was clean and just couldn't find it. Actually had to pull the drive shaft down a little so I could see it. Clean as a whistle -Ed

greg_g · Oct 17, 2009

Red55 said:
Ron
Thanks for the picture been looking for that weep hole to make sure it was clean and just couldn't find it. Actually had to pull the drive shaft down a little so I could see it. Clean as a whistle -Ed

Then the oil isn't coming from inside the bellhousing. I suggest you look up. There should be a crankcase vent directly above the starter. Take off the top, fish out the mesh filtering element. Wash it with diesel fuel. Wipe the inside clean and reinsert the element. Power wash the side of the block and the starter motor housing.

This is one of those tedious little preventative maintenance items. Put it on your list.

//greg//

Red55 · Oct 18, 2009

greg_g said:
Then the oil isn't coming from inside the bellhousing. I suggest you look up. There should be a crankcase vent directly above the starter. Take off the top, fish out the mesh filtering element. Wash it with diesel fuel. Wipe the inside clean and reinsert the element. Power wash the side of the block and the starter motor housing.

This is one of those tedious little preventative maintenance items. Put it on your list.

//greg//

Thanks Greg I wasn't having a problem with oil in the bellhousing but wanted to make sure that the drainage hole was open to allow moisture/condensation to escape. BTW how often should that crankcase vent be clean (hour interval)? -Ed

greg_g · Oct 18, 2009

Red55 said:
... how often should that crankcase vent be clean (hour interval)? -Ed

Sorry, I didn't realize that you weren't the original poster. It's there to let condensation drip out too. Since yours is clean/dry now - and it's the first time ever that you've checked it - one must assume it's not prone to plugging up. It's probably not worth the contortions required to inspect it daily. Perhaps when you check fluids, you might considser just runing your hand over the top of that drive shaft cover to see if anything has dripped outa the weep hole. If it comes away wet, no problem. If it comes away oily, find out why. Otherwise, I'd say make it an annual check to visually inspect that it's still open.

//greg//