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Any Ideas?
Recently, we decided we were apparrently not having enough fun so we discovered a small oil leak under the generator. Upon further investigation and a talk with Power Tech, it was determined they believed the front “seal” on the engine was leaking.
With this information, the entire electric generating end of the generator was removed, the defective seal removed and all of the parts cleaned and the new seal and related gaskets installed with great diligence and the entire set-up replaced. (About 16 hours of labor with a professional mechanic) Power Tech allows eight hours labor after the generator is “on the bench” so I know our labor numbers are within reason.
We then tested the generator for about an hour with no leaks. However, I then drove to Austin (160 miles) and upon arrival, to my great disappointmrent, there was oil coming from the weep hole in the bottom of the bell housing under the repaired seal.
This stinks… I am concerned about doing this again… we might get the same results. I plan to have the mechanic talk again to Power Tech but am wondering if any one has had a similar experience?
Or does anyone have any thoughts?
Thank you,
Pres
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6 Replies
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Before I took further advice from Power Tech I would have a discussion with the folks that make the engine, such as Kubota or Yanmar for example.
Power tech may have a great deal of expertise with the generator head, but all they do is bolt on an engine they buy. It is a sad fact that there are times when we have oil leaks such as a hub seal, alternator seal, engine leaks, etc that sometimes the repair has to be repaired.
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Jon,
I agree with You , Nobody wants to have to repair a repair. That just sucks !BSafe,
Rocky -
Thanks… I believe I will have the mechanic go with a conversation with Kubota first…
It is hard to find a place with capable people… most of these fellows are selling the machines as dealers and do few involved repairs.
Pres
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Pres, I wish your last statement was wrong, but lately what you said appears to be the rule.
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Perhaps I now have the answer to the question….
K – Power of Houston stated when removing the engine seal there is a “collar” that “sits behind the seal” yet in essence the seal rides on the collar which is riding on the shaft. If there are any imperfections on the “collar” such as a burr, it can create a grove in the new seal and thus the leak again presents itself. Apparrently, the collar has two parts. One slides on from the front and the second is pressed on from the back while installing the seal.
We did not know this and were not told this by the parts department from whom we made the purchase for the parts. First time shame on them but second time, shame on us…. I promise we will replace everything that could possibly be involved this time….
This is sort of like the monkey and the skunk…
Live and learn…
Pres
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Re; Replacement of the rear “seal” on the Kubota Engine:
We have removed the generator again and have discovered that the collar on the shaft is in excellent condition on the shaft but when the new seal was replaced and positioned, believe it or not, apparently a very small 1 /16th of an inch of the rubber inner seal which could not be seen pealed back …. which was enough to allow a leak to re-occur. Even though he slightly greased the shaft and gently turned the seal,etc., it was not seated. The mechanic could not have done more.
The mechanic doing this is super efficient and I just feel terrible about the extra warranty work he is having to do. I instructed him last night to also acquire a new collar if it can be reinstalled reasonably easily….. as well as any other parts the Kubota Dealer could suggest that might cause a future problem.
The smallest things… can create such problems some times….
Hope this information helps anyone who faces this type of issue.
Best to all,
Pres
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