Briggs 287707 oil leak from top seal

[bl8tant]

Final update - Ran the splitter for three hours today. NO sign of anymore leaking. I guess it really was just the seal. WEIRD because the seal I replaced looked fine (very snug, still pliable, no nicks/cracks), but it was obvious it had been leaking pretty heavily in it's former life. I still don't understand how it could have ever leaked given the vacuum in the cranckcase and gravity pulling the oil DOWN.

Thanks again and sorry for the "false alarm"

[StarTech]

Thanks for the final outcome.

I still don't understand how it could have ever leaked given the vacuum in the crankcase and gravity pulling the oil DOWN.

Actually there is both pressure and vacuum in the crankcase while the engine running. It results from the piston moving in and out plus the compression blow by from the rings. It is also how we can operate a vacuum operated fuel pump on these engines.

[Deere2me]

Sorry guys - I was away for a couple days and just now getting around to replying.

Just to clear up a few things : The first thing I did was completely clean the motor (spotless). The mag end shaft has been inspected (looked fine). No obviuos play in the shaft. Breather is fine (see manometer reading in my first post). Etc,etc.

Now for the good news......I think it quit leaking ! After I replaced the seal and ran it (5 minutes or so) there was a small amount that ran out from under the flywheel. Then I posted on here.......and have been busy since. So today I pulled the flywheel to double- check things, and cleaned it all up really good again. Buttoned it up, started it and let it run for a good 40 minutes. So far so good ! I'm guessing that the new seal must have leaked for a few seconds on first start-up and then quit leaking (which led me to think I still had a full-time leak).

I know one thing.....even a TINY leak of new 5w-30 full synthetic oil can travel a long ways and looks like more than it is.

Again -THANK YOU all for replying and I have few more ideas for future troubleshooting thanks to your suggestions. Sorry this one may have been a wild goose chase. It may leak again and COULD still be the bushing and if it is....I'll bite the bullet and replace the stinkin thing

I don't run 5W-30 in ANY air cooled motor, just too dam thin! Synthetic is ok , but 5W-30...not!
Wait for it.........