Oil & Fuel b7100hst oil leak

[gino45]

The bad news is that I have an oil leak that I"m trying to pinpoint. I guess the real question is could it be anything other than the head gasket?
Tractor runs fine and there is no water in the oil; however there is oil leaking from somewhere near the oil filter at around the level of where the head and block connect. Oil runs down and drips off bottom of tractor. I'm pretty sure it's not the oil filter itself. Rather it's coming from above somewhere. It's hard to see in that area.
Any suggestions as to what my problem might be?
Oh yeah, shortly before I noticed this I used a hose to wash the debris out of the radiator while tractor was idling. Tractor was not hot at the time.
Gino

 

[gino45]

Okay,I'll post a followup: When I first observed this, I guessed that oil was coming out of the dipstick due to my failure to put it back properly.
That turned out to incorrect; however, oil was splattered around the area I referred to in my previous post: dipstick, oil filter, on blowby pipe, down on front axle, etc. When I turn engine off it is dripping slowly down off left side of engine, but I can't spot the source. So I've eliminated oil filter and dipstick as possibilites. Any ideas out there as to what could cause this?
Thanks!

 

[Shimon]

I'm not familiar with that engine, but I am a diesel mech and more often than not, the valve cover is the source of most leaks. A lot of leaky valve cover gaskets have been blamed on the poor head gaskets. Look at where the oil is and then look up; gravity is a big clue. Look for track marks (hard on a dark engine). It may help to clean up the mess and then use some talcum power to help trace the oil leak.

Also, where does the hose for the crankcase breather connect to (on both ends)? That's also a goo location. Check the hose to see if it's cracked or split or loose.

Is the oil fill cap tight?

 

[gino45]

Thanks for the response, Shimon. My first problem was that the tractor is at the 'ranch' 40 miles from home; so I had to round up the tools and take a drive.
I knew it wasn't the coming from the top of the engine, valve cover or oil cap, as I could see that. So I had to remove the side panel to get to it. I'll say that I was pleased that Kubota chose to use brass, I believe, bolts which showed no rust and were removed without too much trouble from this 15 year old tractor. Wouldn't the chinese tractor I once considered buying have that quality of bolts?
So my first guess was correct. Once I could see it was evident that the leak was coming from the dipstick. I guess the 'bell' at the top of the stick slid up creating the situation. That's probably due to the fact that I always check the oil to be safe since there is no oil pressure gauge. So, I made sure the stick was in correctly, cleaned it up, and mowed for an hour with no more leaks! What a relief!
Now, what I'd like to know next is, is the whistle on the radiator loud, as I've never heard mine, but it has gotten pretty warm a few times. What I'm saying is that I'm not sure that I have a functioning warning whistle.
Thanks again,
H

 

[grossgary]

those warning whistles are loud but with a loud tractor, running loud equipment - it is far from overpowering and can easily blend in with other noises on an older, loud tractor.

keep the radiator clean and the front grill in place and clean too to protect the radiator from clogging.

mine will overheat when working backwards up steep grades on hot days locked in 4WD Low - like 90+ degrees in the mountains where it is far too steep to drive up the grades so you back up them.

 

[grossgary]

i look forward to returning to Hawaii, was there a few years ago, Oahu and the Big Island. awesome, awesome place. we rented some houses and stayed in some rural areas, i can't say enough about it! glad to hear old Kubota's have a place there too!