lower bearing wear vanguard 18 hp vertical

[bigdoug42]

Hi all, I have an 1991 Landlord with a B&S Vanguard engine, model 350777 1159 E-1, that has a worn lower bearing causing an oil leak. (Seal has been replaced, still leaks.) This is the second engine I have had this happen to, at about 300 hrs. With the pto clutch off, I can grab the pto shaft and move it slightly back and forth. what causes this wear? I recently replaced the pto clutch, could the worn out one have caused this, or excessive vibration in the mower deck? Is there a better repower engine for this tractor? One with a ball bearing on the pto side? Thanks in advance for any answers anyone has.

[Chris727]

I've heard of this before also. My '98 Landlord is approaching 300 hours, so far no leak or wear.

[dentwizz]

The way the lower case was designed on them, the lower base forms a shoulder of the oil pan and delays the timeframe when the oil gets to that portion compared to some of the earlier designs. It is unlikely that the PTO clutch would have caused it, but vibration could have had a very minor effect. I would suspect the lubrication factors first. Experience has been limited with that series on the long term(only customer repairs) but I would recommend an additive like Lucas stabilizer in the oil to help with the early stage lubrication wear.

[MikeES]

I don't know the Vanguard model numbers...but some of these engines were made for running a high pressure washer or with the horizontal shaft engines for running a generator which do not have any side load on the them, so they don't have a big roller bearing on the PTO to handle the side thrust, which would take out the seal quickly.

Don't know if that is this case or not?

[bigdoug42]

It originally came with a B&S Vanguard 16hp, model# 303777-0411-01, 91082011-5526. I replaced It with a B&S Vanguard 18hp, 350777-1159-E1. This engine lasted 300 hrs. I replaced it with another, only to have same thing happen, I then replaced the sump, with a good one, and it started leaking about 50 hrs in. Could the crankshaft be bent? I have to admit this has me puzzled. Thanks in advance to anyone that has any ideas about this.

[acfarmer]

I had a couple of those engines that are the horzontial style that came off the larger White GT 1855 tractors it wears an egg shaped in the end of the block and no cost effective fix really both have less than 300 hrs.Poor design I wouldn't have one of those engines.

[tuck]

Hi your problem may have ben caused by the clutch. Iam a simplicity dealer. We hade clutch magnets short to the case causing the clutch to ground to the crank then arc to the main bearing on the block upper or lower or both. This caused a edm effect and eats the cranck and bearing in pan or top of block Good luck. I will look for test on clutch Tuck

[Kenh]

I've heard of this happening (clutch short). In fact at the last ExMark school it was mentioned. Not a lot was said except they were looking for the cause.

Ken

[bigdoug42]

Interesting thought, however it is a brand new warner clutch. Is it still possible? Would like to test the clutch.