Replacing water pump on LX178?

PIMCO · Jul 7, 2016

Hello, good folks.

Got a hand-me-down 1991 JD LX178 with the water-cooled Kawasaki FD440V engine.

Upon finding oil with milkshake texture and searching the web, I have come to learn that the water pump is of a somewhat flawed design allowing water to access the crankcase when pump gaskets fail (?). I hope head gasket is not culprit, compression seems decent and engine runs okay (apart from whiteish smoke).

Found water pump with two associated gaskets (part # AM134588) on eBay for $80. Question is, is that all that is needed? I seem to recall having read that there are some seals or O-rings associated with the pump assembly?

Thanks in advance for any pointers.

buickanddeere · Jul 7, 2016

Could pressure test instead of guessing ? The PCV system can go wrong on those and draw crankcase oil into the intake.
That Kawasaki engine is considered robust if not abused .
The K61 transmission is much more robust than the scrawny flimsy K46 used in the 100 series and low end 300 series units sold today.

PIMCO · Jul 8, 2016

Thanks for the feedback.

I don't have pressure testing equipment, is there a shortcut to ruling out head gasket? It seemed to deliver okay power and the oil/coolant seemed to mix really quick.

I would venture to guess that a failed PCV valve would be more of a seeping phenomena? I had milshake oil after just a couple minutes running after replacing the oil.

I am not able to find a PCV system in the electronic JDPC parts catalogue?