Briggs & Stratton Oil Leak
#1
10-08-12, 07:01 AM
Briggs & Stratton Oil Leak
Hi all. I am new to this forum and thank you in advance for any help you can provide.
I have an 9-year old Sears Craftsman snow thrower Model: 536.887752 with a Briggs & Stratton Intek Snow Over Head engine Model:12C314-0131-E1
http://bsintek.basco.com/BriggsDocument ... fBhU7y.pdf
In the process of getting it ready for upcoming winter I noticed engine oil on my shed floor. After removing the bottom cover plate of the thrower, oil was of course all over the inside of the plate. I inspected all drain plugs and bolts and made sure all was tight. Cleaned up oil and started her up and let it run for about 3 minutes. I noticed oil leak at front of engine toward auger side where engine is mounted to frame. I inspected some more but can't see anything outstanding. I don't see any cracks but oil seems to be coming from front of engine where it's mounted to frame. I have included link to the engine parts list above. Could it be oil seal Ref.#3 and/or oil seal Ref.#20? What else should I look for? I am pretty handy and can certainly remove the engine and get into it. I just don't want to tear it apart any further if I don't have to. I already have the auger/impeller assembly separated as I have new belts and was going to replace them anyways. It would be nothing now to remove the engine if I have to. Any help you can give me to point me in the correct direction would be appreciated. Thanks so much!
I have an 9-year old Sears Craftsman snow thrower Model: 536.887752 with a Briggs & Stratton Intek Snow Over Head engine Model:12C314-0131-E1
http://bsintek.basco.com/BriggsDocument ... fBhU7y.pdf
In the process of getting it ready for upcoming winter I noticed engine oil on my shed floor. After removing the bottom cover plate of the thrower, oil was of course all over the inside of the plate. I inspected all drain plugs and bolts and made sure all was tight. Cleaned up oil and started her up and let it run for about 3 minutes. I noticed oil leak at front of engine toward auger side where engine is mounted to frame. I inspected some more but can't see anything outstanding. I don't see any cracks but oil seems to be coming from front of engine where it's mounted to frame. I have included link to the engine parts list above. Could it be oil seal Ref.#3 and/or oil seal Ref.#20? What else should I look for? I am pretty handy and can certainly remove the engine and get into it. I just don't want to tear it apart any further if I don't have to. I already have the auger/impeller assembly separated as I have new belts and was going to replace them anyways. It would be nothing now to remove the engine if I have to. Any help you can give me to point me in the correct direction would be appreciated. Thanks so much!
#2
10-08-12, 10:06 AM
Forum Topic Moderator
It could be the seals you mentioned or any of the others. You'll be best off by cleaning it and then running it while watching to see where it leaks. Could be the head gasket, crankshaft seal(s), crankcase cover gasket, oil fill tube seal, drain plug, PCV, etc...
I like to use a good degreaser like purple power cleaner and clean the oil and dirt off, then you can see the leak. I don't recall that engine having a place that is "prone" to leak, so it could be anything.
I like to use a good degreaser like purple power cleaner and clean the oil and dirt off, then you can see the leak. I don't recall that engine having a place that is "prone" to leak, so it could be anything.
