Chrishar 544 #1 Posted October 7, 2021 Have a L157 lawnmower when I'm driving it oil is leaking around the shifter on the transmission it is not overfull with oil how can I fix it thanks for the help Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 68,285 #2 Posted October 7, 2021 Is it stored outside? Is the shift boot new? What are you using for oil? Exactly how much oil is in it? How do you verify proper oil level? Does it do it in all speeds? Hills? Angled ground? That transmission should be about 1/2 "full" with 1.5 qts in it. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chrishar 544 #3 Posted October 7, 2021 8 hours ago, ebinmaine said: Is it stored outside? Is the shift boot new? What are you using for oil? Exactly how much oil is in it? How do you verify proper oil level? Does it do it in all speeds? Hills? Angled ground? That transmission should be about 1/2 "full" with 1.5 qts in it. No Yes 80w90 About a qt. Where you can see it the the fill plug Yes Does not matter 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chrishar 544 #4 Posted October 7, 2021 I have six other wheel horse with the same transmission and they are filled the same and used the same oil and they don't leak at the shifter but the L157 does what is the problem with this one every time I used it oil runs down both sides for the transmission form The shifter I tried a different shifter but it didn't work same thing Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 68,285 #5 Posted October 7, 2021 That my friend is a very good question. I don't recall running into this one before.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pfrederi 17,866 #6 Posted October 7, 2021 My L107 has never done such a thing.. and she has always run 40w motor oil in the tranny. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevasaurus 22,858 #7 Posted October 7, 2021 I submit the leak is something else. It is almost impossible for any amount of oil that is thrown up toward the shifter ball to escape through the little clearance there. I suggest pulling the shifter and boot. Run the engine at high idle with rear end on blocks (tires just off ground) in all gears, and observe what happens. You might also cork or plug the hole, while doing this, and see if it still leaks. @Chrishar 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wallfish 17,079 #8 Posted October 7, 2021 (unless it's filled to the top) Are you stating you can actually see the oil pool or leak around the shifter? Does the underside of the shifter boot have oil on it? Or, is it possible it could be the input shaft and or brake shaft seals leaking from the sides? That's a common issue. I'm thinking some pictures are in order here for proper internet diagnosis. Even a video if possible. Something sure seems amiss if it is actually leaking from the shifter hole.. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chrishar 544 #9 Posted October 8, 2021 Could the hole where the shifter goes be wore some I tried a different shifter but the same thing happened Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 68,285 #10 Posted October 8, 2021 6 hours ago, Chrishar said: hole where the shifter goes Wouldn't matter if that hole was slightly oversized from wear. It just shouldn't leak. When you drained and refilled the transmission did you raise the front of the tractor to empty the front of the transmission? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chrishar 544 #11 Posted October 8, 2021 No just pulled the drain plug out and let it drain over night Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 68,285 #12 Posted October 8, 2021 10 minutes ago, Chrishar said: No just pulled the drain plug out and let it drain over night That might be it.... Maybe it's overfull? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevasaurus 22,858 #13 Posted October 9, 2021 How much oil did you get out Chris?? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chrishar 544 #14 Posted October 10, 2021 About a qt. Of oil 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 68,285 #15 Posted October 10, 2021 1 hour ago, Chrishar said: About a qt. Of oil There should be 1.5 qts in a 3 or 4 speed. 2 qts in a 6 or 8 speed. And are you using the drain plug located UNDER the transmission? You'll want to drain again. This time around raise the front of the tractor as much you can safely do so. That gets the oil in the front half of the transmission out to the plug. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chrishar 544 #16 Posted October 10, 2021 Drain all my wheel horse that way and I don't have problems with them what is wrong with this L157 tractor I'll about ready to Park it under a tree and it can just set there I'm tried of it leaking there Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gregor 4,847 #17 Posted October 10, 2021 2 hours ago, Chrishar said: about ready to Park it under a tree and it can just set there May as well park it under my tree, I don't have a round hood. 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 68,285 #18 Posted October 10, 2021 2 hours ago, Chrishar said: Drain all my wheel horse that way and I don't have problems with them Try draining it with the front end up as far as safely possible. Get as much existing fluid out as possible. Add 2 qts diesel. Drive around a bit. Raise the front again and drain. IMPORTANT STEP: Clean/degrease the transmission exterior. Add 1.5 to 2 qts 80W90. Drive around. Verify ALL 4 seals are properly sealing at the shafts. I've had input and brake shaft seals leaking so badly they would spray gear oil while in motion. Recheck and report with pics. 41 minutes ago, Gregor said: May as well park it under my tree, I don't have a round hood. I'll second that! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gregor 4,847 #19 Posted October 10, 2021 I know nothing about transmissions, just throwing this out there. Could there possibly be a vent plugged somewhere? Trans builds up pressure under use, built up pressure has to go somewhere. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 68,285 #20 Posted October 10, 2021 8 minutes ago, Gregor said: I know nothing about transmissions, just throwing this out there. Could there possibly be a vent plugged somewhere? Trans builds up pressure under use, built up pressure has to go somewhere. We have several that have no vent other than the shifter hole itself. There's no piston up/down movement or air intake like an engine so pressure buildup is minimal. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chrishar 544 #21 Posted October 11, 2021 The transmission was completely rebuilt three years ago and about a year ago that's when it started with the leak and I changes the oil every year in the transmission Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevasaurus 22,858 #22 Posted October 11, 2021 @Chrishar Try packing a couple of fingers of fiber grease on top of the shifter ball...filling the hole above the shifter. See if that works for you. The grease will not hurt the trans if some gets down in there. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 41,320 #23 Posted October 11, 2021 Wonder if it's blowing out of the split in the trans cases and getting under the boot making it appear it's coming from the shifter hole. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 41,320 #24 Posted October 11, 2021 I would take off the boot. Jack it up clean the trans with brake cleaner and run it in 3rd gear and see if you can see the spot where it's coming out 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Moparfanforever 858 #25 Posted October 11, 2021 1 hour ago, squonk said: I would take off the boot. Jack it up clean the trans with brake cleaner and run it in 3rd gear and see if you can see the spot where it's coming out Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
