Briggs twin oil film

[Mr Mower Man]

I have a Briggs engine in the shop that I have been servicing every year since it was new. It now has 60 hours on it. (44N677-0005-G1) Just doing an overall check, I noticed that there was a wet oil film on the carburetor bowl, fuel line in front of the carburetor, and on the heat shield on top of the exhaust pipes. There is absolutely no oil leakage from the usual spots (valve covers and PTO oil seal), and it's a very clean looking engine, except for this strange oil film up front. What might be causing this? I haven't done a crankcase vacuum test yet, but I wonder if any crankcase pressure might be forcing oil out somewhere (maybe the breather tube?). The only other place I can think of that oil might be leaking is the top crank seal, which I haven't seen yet. However, there is no evidence of oil running down the side of the block anywhere, as far as I can see. Any ideas?

[Walt 2002]

The usual oil leak spot for this engine is not valve cover nor PTO seal. It is the sump gasket under the right hand cylinder while facing the carb. Not sure how oil might get from there to the areas you mention. I suppose the leak area might move on around slightly on some engines.

Walt Conner

[Mr Mower Man]

The sump gasket has not failed on this engine...yet. I checked all around the engine during my inspection, looking for that, since those are a weak point on these engines. It's all clean.

[StarTech]

UV dye test the engine. Takes the guess work out.

[bgsengine]

over-oiled air pre-cleaner? Perhaps someone spilled a bit of oil on the flywheel screen when topping off the oil? (it'll throw off and given engine rotation that would be the side most likely getting the worst of it) Check breather tube for being properly hooked up and no holes in it?

[hanz63]

Has anyone seen a sump leak, bolts loosening up on the later ones with sealant?