mystery oil leak

jimmy680 · #1 08-23-2011, 10:42 AM

Hello again fellow cubbers. Took my 1450 out the other day and mowed the lawn. After parking I discovered the mule drive covered with motor oil. I pulled the panels and found the left side, (carb side) of the engine block coated with oil. I wiped the engine down, and checked the bolts around the breather and points cover and the cover for the fuel pump (no fuel pump here). I started the engine and soon observed traces of oil flicking off the bottom of the air cleaner. I pulled the aircleaner and its mount. I found a small threaded hole in the side of the block. It's to the right of the breather. Motor oil was oozing from this hole. I got a pipe cleaner and a Qtip and cleaned this hole out. The hole has fine threads and a small pin hole at inside.
I checked my Kohler manual but found no reference to this hole. I assumed it may be some type of breather for the crankcase. I checked the oil level and found it slightly above the Full mark on the dipstick. I drained motor oil so the level was between Low and Full. I started the engine then cut some grass. I went back and checked for leakage. None was found. Do any of you know what this threaded hole with the pin hole inside is. What is it for. Also I checked for the engine spec plate on the shroud and didn't find it. What model engine did the 1450 come with. Thanks again for your time and help.

_DX3_ · #2 08-23-2011, 11:15 AM

It would sure help to see a pic of this.. I can't recall what that would be for. As for the model of the engine, it should be a K321AQS Kohler. Maybe some of the QL guys will have an answer for you soon. :beerchug

I moved this thread to the correct section for you too.

jimmy680 · #3 08-23-2011, 11:27 AM

DX3, I'll get a photograph asap.
Thanks.

jimmy680 · #4 08-23-2011, 03:49 PM

Here are some photographs:

_DX3_ · #5 08-23-2011, 04:07 PM

I'm not sure why that would go all the way thru the block, I can't come up with anything that would go there. I would find a bolt with the right thread and block it off.

JOHN SCHUTTE · #6 08-23-2011, 04:34 PM

I wonder if Kohler or PO drilled/tapped it too far into the block.

jimmy680 · #7 08-23-2011, 04:35 PM

DX3

Thanks for the reply and putting this thread where it belongs. I'll keep an eye out for other responses.

Oakley782 · #8 08-23-2011, 06:53 PM

I checked one of my 1450's there is not a bolt in that hole but it dose not appear that there is a pin hole in the block. I would also find a bolt and plug it.

westofb · #9 08-24-2011, 04:21 AM

On my 149 (K321A, I think is the model), I am thinking that threaded hole is where a bracket for my throttle or choke cable is mounted to the block, but I am sure on mine it does not go through to the inside. I would a PO retapped it and when the tap bottomed out in the hole, in broke through to the inside, or maybe was done when they made it. Apparently it never leaked until you had the oil level set to high. I would use a bolt with a dab of rtv on it to seal it off.

jimmy680 · #10 08-24-2011, 08:11 AM

I checked my 680/1210 for the hole. They aren't there either. I'm going to plug it.

Thanks for your input.
Happy Cubbing.