TO 30 Questions

1. My TO30 has fluid leaking around the base of the distributer cap. What would cause this & how do I correct?

2. I posted b4 that two spark plugs have oil or gas leaking around the base of each. Someone advised I check to make sure the plugs where seated o"kay and not damaged. The plugs are in good condition and even after many hours of use still look good but for some reason there still appears to be a leak around the plugs?

I have no other leaks. Oil pressure is good. Water temp is great. Oil looks good. The tractor starts easy, runs smooth, shifts smooth, and I have plenty of pressure for my loader.

A final question, again, excuse my lack of knowledge, but I read a lot about TOs with cracked blocks. My oil looks great and I don"t see any indication of a crack but wonder how I make sure I don"t ever develop one. What is the cause?

Many Thanks!

You might try spraying some WD-40 where your plugs thread into the block while it is running and check for bubbles.Had a similar problem with my TE-20 and ended up putting teflon tape on the threads of two plugs to help seal them. I guess the threads in the block were worn because it would do it even with new plugs.

2) I believe I replied to this question before.Are you sure that your valve cover gasket is good and the valve cover is not damaged? I s the breather tube free flowing? if it's plugged, your valve cover will be slightly pressurized and oil may be forced out. The factory breather tube unbolts from the valve cover. Pull it off and check it. You're probably seeing leakage come down the block and it's runnning into the spark plug recesses.
3. The block cracks usually occur between the cylinders and can't be seen without removing the head. If the block has a severe enough crack, you will usually see coolant in the oil. the sleeve o rings failing can cause coolant in the oil also. The cause of the cracking is overheating.

If your plugs are good, the only other likely source of oil around the plugs is oil leaking down from your valve cover and collecting in the plug wells so it looks like it is leaking from the spark plugs... I had the same problem on a VW years back, I went thru a set of plugs and was threatening to pull the entire engine before finally figuring it out.

The cause of cracked blocks is just plain engine abuse. Take care of your engine and you won't have a worry. Overheating... I mean running the radiator/block dry & overheating... can crack the block. The most common cause is probably just not keeping up on the antifreeze ratio and letting the block freeze. The water freezing in the block has no place to expand and will just split the block.

George

And the spark plugs leaking oil?

Mike, always appreciate the help. I hope you more seasoned guys don"t mind the occasion "tractors for idiots" questions :-)

if it's leaking at shaft where it enters the engine block, i don't know. is it seated correctly and tightly? also...you might check to see if your crankcase vent tube is blocked. this can create excess pressure in your distributor and push too much oil thru it.

maybe someone else on here with more experience will give you something else to look for, this is all i can come up with for ya right now...hope it helps.

-mike

the two things that will crack a block in a TO most often are freezing and overheating. make sure your cooling system is maintained and has a proper level and mixture of coolant/antifreeze. keep that radiator cleaned out! spray it out with water, blow it out with air, whatever it takes to keep it so it doesn't clog up in the fins between the coolant tubes. i do this almost everytime after using the tractor, 'specially when in tall weeds. you'd be surprised how much and how fast crap can clog up your radiator. you should be able to see daylight thru your entire radiator when it's good and clean. also, as you're using your tractor, keep a close eye on your guages, i've had two things happen to me...one, while bush-hogging in tall grass, my lower radiator hose sprung a leak. (tip: check the condition of your hoses from time to time) i couldn't see the coolant spraying out because of the tall grass, but i noticed my temp guage climbing, pulled out in a mowed area and saw the spray. luckily i shut down before i caused damage. another time i ran over something and knocked the oil pan filter cover loose and had my engine oil running out. my oil pressure guage warned me of this problem. i've gotten into the habit of checking my guages often when working.