RZT-S 42 - sludgy oil around valve covers after 26 hours?
 

Hi folks! I'm a relatively new RZT-S 42 owner; bought it last year and now have a whopping 26 hours on the clock!

I have a sludgy black buildup at the rear of the mower. Last year, I figured it was just soot. This year, I see it's sludgy and pasty. It looks like leaky valve covers to me:

http://i.imgur.com/Wh5HuL5.jpg

For more pictures, see:

http://imgur.com/a/BAUlR

Is this normal on these mowers? Geez, it's still new...

Yep looks like a leaky valve cover to me also. Take it back to the dealer and have them fix it would be my suggestion.

These gasket does look a bit mangled up there in that picture here. I was wondering if this mower had been taken in for service, like maybe checked for valve lash?:bigthink: