HST Oil Leak

kenb1023 · May 11, 2016

I have a slow oil leak in the HST. Seams to be coming out from around the left side axle shaft and the PTO shaft. Has anyone had this and what did you do to fix it?

myyaz33 · May 11, 2016

any chance you could snap a couple pictures?

kenb1023 · Dec 16, 2016

Sorry it took me so long to post this. This has been the year from ****.

joeyd · Dec 16, 2016

Could the leak be from the sight gauge? I remember a few threads about replacing the gauge itself. You can search them out.

Bkjohns · Dec 17, 2016

joeyd said:
Could the leak be from the sight gauge? I remember a few threads about replacing the gauge itself. You can search them out.

That was my first thought. Pretty much what is going on with my 273 now, but I did have a leak near the rear axle seal not long after I bought it (2006). It turned out to be the leak was around the bearing housing and not the seal. That didn't get to the pto area though. I recall some owners on here saying they had hydro fluid leaks from the overflow vent under the seat but I haven't had that yet. I'd go with the sight gauge issue.

myyaz33 · Dec 18, 2016

Bkjohns said:
That was my first thought. Pretty much what is going on with my 273 now, but I did have a leak near the rear axle seal not long after I bought it (2006). It turned out to be the leak was around the bearing housing and not the seal. That didn't get to the pto area though. I recall some owners on here saying they had hydro fluid leaks from the overflow vent under the seat but I haven't had that yet. I'd go with the sight gauge issue.

joeyd said:
Could the leak be from the sight gauge? I remember a few threads about replacing the gauge itself. You can search them out.

I agree with both of you, might be two leaks going on here. The sight glass is definitely leaking from looking at the first picture. That is a simple fix and can be done without draining the HST completely if you can park downhill. It does look pretty full from the picture though. I'd take care of the sight glass fix and then give the rear a good bath to clean it up. Then when you start to see oil and dirt collecting again, you will have a better indication of where it is coming from.

kenb1023 · Dec 20, 2016

Do you know of a sealant that will work below 32 degrees? What is the process to pop the sight glass out. I may have over filled the HST. When I looked at it I could not see the level so I added oil. Now I think the angle of the tractor had the site glass full. I am going to have to move it to get it to a safe spot to drain oil out. Might as well do an oil change now and be done with it.

myyaz33 · Dec 20, 2016

kenb1023 said:
Do you know of a sealant that will work below 32 degrees? What is the process to pop the sight glass out. I may have over filled the HST. When I looked at it I could not see the level so I added oil. Now I think the angle of the tractor had the site glass full. I am going to have to move it to get it to a safe spot to drain oil out. Might as well do an oil change now and be done with it.

Can't recall exactly what I used, maybe Permatex Oil Resistant. It is good way below 32 degrees. All you have to do is pop out the old one with a screw driver and clean the area, insert the new with a bit of sealant. Give it 12-24hrs depending on the silicone and call it done.