Zforce 60 trans issue

[z28clone]

Lawnmower has been driving fine, no noises, etc. Noticed that my trans oil resevoir was empty. Put oil in it and mowed more with it. Low again. Turns out my left trans was leaking on the bottom. Drove the mower in the garage and Pulled off the bottom plate to check the o ring(looks like this is a cover for the oil pump, I see a star shaped gear that should spin with the shaft coming down). Anyway turns out the 2 bolts that held this cover on were just loose as it isnt leaking anymore. Now I have no power in this trans. Looked into purging the system. Pulled both levers out (that put the mower in neutral) which I assume are the bypass valves and let it idle, then I pushed and pulled the driving arms back and forth. The left wheel knudges a little in forward and reverse, while the right wheel moves good both ways. Did this for a few minutes. Pushed the neutral levers back in and moved the driving arms again back and forth the right one still has full power, but now the left one has no movement at all. Not even a knudge. Fluid level never went down either. Would hope that this is a simple fix as the rain has made the grass get tall. Thanks.

 

[z28clone]

Update:
Took the bottom cover off again and completely drained the system to see how much fluid is in it and its condtion. The fluid filled a 2 qt container and it is black. (this mower has 89hrs on it) PUt the cover back on and Filled it til it was coming out of the fill hole, then added more fluid through the reservoir. Then I let the engine idle. With the bypass lever in either position and without moving any driving arms, air is coming up through the reservoir. Let is sit like this for over 20 minutes. Still air bubbles, not consistently though. 3 quick bubbles, then a pause, then 1 bubble, pause, then 10 quick bubbles, etc. Is it sucking air in the system and venting it through the resevoir? Right trans still works perfectly. Advice would be appreciated. I have until 2pm on Saturday to get it to the local shop because I cant do it during the week, so I don't want to throw in the towel until then. How do you go about using the warrany period? It is a 2007 that I bought in 12/07. How long does the process take?

 

[z28clone]

Forgot to add: I am seeing the bubbles in the reservoir with the cap off. If I put it back on, it pressurizes the reservoir and I am afraid it will break if I leave it on. Thanks.

 

[OldMachinist]

The Z-Force 60 transmissions have a external spin on filter and if loose could be sucking air.

 

[MarkV]

Being someone who over looks the obvious at times, does the Z-force 60 have the motor disengagement lever for towing like my Z-Force 50? Could it have been accidentally pulled out disengaging the motor?

MarkV

 

[z28clone]

Did some more research. Its got to still have air in the system. I am also going to check areas for air to suck in. Never touched the filter, just the top hose and bottom plate and the side fill screw. As far as the bypass switch. I've had it in and out the whole time I've been messing with it. With the same bubbles. From what I understand, the bypass switch opens the hydralic system to the atmosphere (reservoir) and when closed, should not be letting bubbles out to the reservoir?

 

[OldMachinist]

If it's still under warranty I'd get it to the dealer and don't tell them you took the plate off it might void the warranty. A new Hydro-Gear ZT2800 transmission is around $1100.

 

[z28clone]

Thought I would reply to this, even if a little late to help others out. Turns out I put the bottom plate on wrong (rotated). Make sure it goes on exactly as it came off.