So....I replaced the seal. Everything went surprisingly well (hardware all came off without incident). Alas....it continues to leak from the new seal. I THOUGHT/THINK I was careful and installed it correctly. But NOOOooooo. Oh well, I'll try one more time before punting it to a professional.

As an aside. Retailers sure do like to tack shipping onto their sales (even when they hand the in stock item across the counter to you) $11.75 to $15.00 for a $3.50 seal. Cut me a break.

If it's still leaking, I wonder if your crankcase breather is functioning correctly. You can make a U-tube manometer to check the crankcase vacuum. If there is no vacuum, it might be developing pressure and blowing oil out past the seal.

I'd find a new dealer, they shouldn't be charging you shipping even if they have to order it, or at least mine doesn't. If it's the breather that's a simple and cheap fix.

About the pricing;

First stop - price plus freight
Second stop - in stock $11.76
Third via phone - in stock $13 and change
Fourth - $3 plus $10.00 freight

So on and so forth.

CM:

I would to offer you some insight on shipping as being a owner of a business. I have parts shipped in all the time, several times a week from a variety of vendors and suppliers. Each has their own shipping and cost policies. Some charge a "handling" on top of the actual freight charge. The days of $2.00 shipping are long gone. The minimum shipping that I see (UPS or FedEx) is $8.00

There are two types of orders. (A) Normal Stock Orders, and (B) Specialty Orders. Normal Stock orders usually require a Dollar or Weight value to hit and is usually free shipping from the supplier. Usually this order is a couple of hundred dollars at a minimum. Specialty (hurry up and get it here) orders that don't meet the Normal Stock criteria, are subject to the actual freight costs and often a $5.00 handling charge. So, it is nothing to see a $13.00 freight charge.

It has been MY policy in my business, to charge for these "Special" orders since it benefits only the individual requesting the parts. Of course, I am up front about it too and give them the choices. I do not charge freight on Normal Stock orders.

I find most business have the above policy or something close.

BUT, as with anything, ask UP FRONT before you order anything and ask for options.

I understand the charging for shipping on specials or rush orders. Not so understanding for the in stock items. That said, I paid it once, and if need be, will again.

OK, I'll bite. But I find no mention of a crankcase breather in my manual. I do see "oil pressure relief valve". But the photos are so poor I'm not sure what I'm looking at.
On my tractor - viewing from the front - there is a tube between the air cleaner and the top-left of the motor. It terminates at a cover. Under that cover is an orange diaphram and a piece of very course, crumbly, filter material.
Am I getting anywhere close to what you're referring to?

Thanks

that is your breather.

OK! So what am I looking for - as far as correct functioning goes?

Sometime it seems like customer is getting ripped.I just ordered a stumpjumper blade assy for woods bush hog at work was given estimate of
$370 when came in was $465 did not ask for rush shipping.I would think that the item could have been included in a stock order or been given the option of special ordering. To me just another black mark on that dealer.