L5030 engine oil leak

dbainbridge · Wednesday at 10:59 PM

My L5030 has a slow oil leak somewhere at the front of the engine. The oil has leaked enough over time that the radiator fan has caused the oil to splatter across front of engine and even out the right hand side vent of the bonnet cover. There is also some oil that got onto bottom of radiator itself and collected dust/dirt. When I park the tractor after heavy use there is probably a tablespoon worth of oil that drips onto the ground. I'm having trouble determining where this engine oil leak is coming from. Any ideas how to identify where it is from or if there is a common gasket that needs to be replaced? If I recall correctly the tractor has less then 1500 hours.

gengine · Wednesday at 11:49 PM

Pressure wash your engine, specifically the front, trying to get every nook and cranny without bending the fins on your radiator, and stay away from wires, you know they don't leak. Run the engine to temp, shut off and inspect carefully with a mirror and flashlight. A lot of Kubota engines, diesel and gas both, have a wierdly placed "bolt" in the timing cover that likes to leak. This "bolt" has a vertical notch cut into it, so only the last few threads actually seal in the timing cover. Usually located right side, towards the top of the engine. Pull it out, brake clean it and the hole, you wont get too much brake cleaner in your oil if your careful, and use Permatex aviation gasket maker and a thread sealant. I have fixed this leak on generators and water pumps, although not to a tractor, yet...

JWR · Thursday at 12:50 PM

gengine is probably onto something for the source of your leak. Experience is worth a lot! I would remove as much obstructive sheet metal and coverings as I had to until I could see where the leak is. One should be able to find the leak by inspection if you can uncover the location. There are all sorts of other possibilities like seals but with a ball park 1500 hrs that seems unlikely.

big bubba · Thursday at 2:26 PM

front seal leak? after engine clean, run until you notice leaking, maybe use talcum powder to identify source. best of luck. thinking front seal leak much better than rear?

dbainbridge · Thursday at 9:26 PM

Does someone have recommendation for an electric power washer? Don't have one to clean it up with.
Here is some pics.

Top of engine is clean of oil:

Definitely seems like more oil collected on the part underneath the air intake hose:

JWR · Thursday at 10:31 PM

Well, yeah, but I could also think that there was just as much oil on top of the engine but it dried up due to higher heat in that area. The accumulation under/around the air intake hose may be because of getting trapped there when thrown back from the fan and not dried out/burnt off because of lowwer temps there. Say, does this 5030 have an oil cooler by any chance in front of the radiator?

dbainbridge · Friday at 10:18 AM

I can say with certainty there was never oil on top of the engine. I've had the tractor since new. There is no oil cooler. Going to see if can identify that one part.

rScotty · Friday at 1:54 PM

dbainbridge said:
Does someone have recommendation for an electric power washer? Don't have one to clean it up with.
Here is some pics.

Top of engine is clean of oil:

Definitely seems like more oil collected on the part underneath the air intake hose:

I've on my third electric power washer. The one that finally lasted - and still does - is from Home Depot.
2300 psi/1.2 GPM Ryobi. has wheels and looks almost like a gas powered one. Model is their "Premium Electric". I Think it cost a little over $200 a few years back plus whatever I paid for the extended warranty.
Works well & has a soap dispenser.

I don't usually buy Ryobi tools, but this one has lasted.