Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions

I have an 824E, bought at Home Depot and used for 1 winter.  In the spring, while it was parked in the garage, I noticed that the gearcase was leaking from the rear.  The oil (or grease ) looked a little yellow.  Is it possible that its leaking after 1 season??  Is it a worn gasket where the shaft enters?  or from one of the bolts?

Any help or advice is greatly appreciated.

   no its not a gasket.    the great ariens name went cheap on those cases and omitted the gasket and the use  515 gasket sealer.     stick with  mtd brand.

So what do I do?  Is this ready a defect and should be covered under warrenty? Is there an easy fix?

Likely high oil fill. The gearboxes should get 5 ounces. Uncork filler screw, elevate wheels 4" with housing on floor. If oil runs out, it is overfilled. Let it run out until it stops. Clean filler screw and casting threads, reseal filler screw with pipe dope or Teflon tape, and reinstall. Rear oil seal isn't intended to have hydrostatic pressure present.


PK

  what we use in the shop is a grease type fluid called  bentonite.   its semi liguid  it also contains clay,  which acts as the adhesion element in it.  keep in mind with these gearcases the are design as a splash system.  this means very little oil in bottom.  as gears rotate they pick up the lube from the bottom and splash onto top gears.   sucks.  hence the bentonite.  this stuff actually stick to all moving parts in gearcase.   this is a tecumseh product the run in the peerless transmissions.   yes if its leaking and within the 2 yr time frame i would take back.