Let it die?

[MASTERMOWER]

I have a mower with a 19HP Kawasaki engine. Have about 1725 hours on it. Original engine to mower. Been running Mobil 1 since about 300 hours. Still seems to run strong, problem is it's leaking oil now. Seems the seals are bad. IMO, I don't think they're even worth replacing. Hydros on the mower run strong - I feel a new engine makes more sense - cheaper than a new mower.

Right? Wrong? :alien::alien::alien:

[sjessen]

This can go either way, obviously. Did it use oil prior to the leak? What would a new engine cost? How much to repair this one?

Normally, I would advise repair but there have been numerous reports of premature engine failure on this series engine.

If this is a frontline mower I would lean towards a new engine and consider repairing the old one and keeping it as a spare.

[MASTERMOWER]

It burned a little oil, nothing drastic, but I would always top it off every day.

[sjessen]

Have a 17 kawi similar to your 19. Has had an oil leak or two. Was not reall expensive to repair. If you are really curious about the condition of the engine compression and leak down tests should give you a fair idea.

[accipiter]

If it starts and runs ok, why not go back to a petroleum or a semi synthetic, of a straight 30W. (I'm guessing your mobil was 10W-30?) You'll consume less oil that way until you fix seals or decide what way to go. And lower the risk of a catastrophic failure due to low oil...

[MASTERMOWER]

If it starts and runs ok, why not go back to a petroleum or a semi synthetic, of a straight 30W. (I'm guessing your mobil was 10W-30?) You'll consume less oil that way until you fix seals or decide what way to go. And lower the risk of a catastrophic failure due to low oil...

I've heard from many sources once you go synthetic you stay synthetic. I don't know if there is any truth to engine failure from switching over to a dino oil from full-synthetic though. Either way, I'd be scared to try... :alien::alien::alien:

[accipiter]

Just a myth. Actually it sounds like a distorted version of a different myth. If it were true all the manufacturers that produce vehicles or equipment that are shipped out with synthetic oil to begin with would have to have a warning to never use a petroleum oil in them. I've gone back and forth with no consequence other than the loss of the added benefits of a synthetic.
Been using synthetics since 1976.

[Sammy]

Just a myth. Actually it sounds like a distorted version of a different myth. If it were true all the manufacturers that produce vehicles or equipment that are shipped out with synthetic oil to begin with would have to have a warning to never use a petroleum oil in them. I've gone back and forth with no consequence other than the loss of the added benefits of a synthetic.
Been using synthetics since 1976.

I must agree with this post.

Just a myth.

[Georges Lawn & Mulch]

Back in the olden days

Just a myth. Actually it sounds like a distorted version of a different myth. If it were true all the manufacturers that produce vehicles or equipment that are shipped out with synthetic oil to begin with would have to have a warning to never use a petroleum oil in them. I've gone back and forth with no consequence other than the loss of the added benefits of a synthetic.
Been using synthetics since 1976.

They used to say don't use detergent oil if you used non detergent oil in your motors. The reasoning was that the "new" detergent type oils would clean the engines too well and remove the deposits that actually blocked voids in the seals. Once the voids were cleaned and removed by the detergent type oils the engines would leak oil.

The quick fix for leaking motors was to use a heavier base oil until the leak became so bad you had no choice but to fix it. The good ole days.

[MASTERMOWER]

They used to say don't use detergent oil if you used non detergent oil in your motors. The reasoning was that the "new" detergent type oils would clean the engines too well and remove the deposits that actually blocked voids in the seals. Once the voids were cleaned and removed by the detergent type oils the engines would leak oil.

The quick fix for leaking motors was to use a heavier base oil until the leak became so bad you had no choice but to fix it. The good ole days.

Well hell, I have a leaky engine to begin with. :alien::alien::alien:

[Georges Lawn & Mulch]

Well hell, I have a leaky engine to begin with. :alien::alien::alien:

Use heavier oil, it will leak slower.

[8307c4]

Use heavier oil, it will leak slower.

Indeed, it is an old trick, I'd use a detergent straight 30 weight, or a 20w-50.

[MASTERMOWER]

Update:

Come to find out the oil breather gasket was bad. Since the flywheel was off, we replaced the upper crankshaft seal as well. Not a problem since. Still seeps a little oil where the block is split, nothing major, so we keep running it.

Meanwhile, the 23HP Kaw engine on the Deere stander took a dump. Valve rods kept coming unseated somehow. We just opted to buy a new engine for $1300. 1900 hours on the original engine. Dealer claims the life expectancy of a Kawasaki v-twin to be 1200-1300 hours. Seems very low to me. :alien::alien::alien:

[sjessen]

Update:

Come to find out the oil breather gasket was bad. Since the flywheel was off, we replaced the upper crankshaft seal as well. Not a problem since. Still seeps a little oil where the block is split, nothing major, so we keep running it.

Meanwhile, the 23HP Kaw engine on the Deere stander took a dump. Valve rods kept coming unseated somehow. We just opted to buy a new engine for $1300. 1900 hours on the original engine. Dealer claims the life expectancy of a Kawasaki v-twin to be 1200-1300 hours. Seems very low to me. :alien::alien::alien:

Not sure if all 23 kawis are the same or not. Have had several over the years. Highest hours is 4740 so far. 2500 seems to be an average life span.

[GeeVee]

Update:

Come to find out the oil breather gasket was bad. Since the flywheel was off, we replaced the upper crankshaft seal as well. Not a problem since. Still seeps a little oil where the block is split, nothing major, so we keep running it.

Meanwhile, the 23HP Kaw engine on the Deere stander took a dump. Valve rods kept coming unseated somehow. We just opted to buy a new engine for $1300. 1900 hours on the original engine. Dealer claims the life expectancy of a Kawasaki v-twin to be 1200-1300 hours. Seems very low to me. :alien::alien::alien:

Very low, less than a year? Find a new dealer.