Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): coolant leak on front cover of j.d. 425 20 h.p. kaw., coolant pump, coolant leak

Question
I have a 2000 425 j.d. with a thousand hours on it, it has a 20 h.p. Kawasaki engine. I have a slight coolant leak around the front cover, seams to be coming from around cover bolts. I took it to my dealer & they said it is the water pump. I bought this tractor used this summer & it runs good & no other problems. I don't know if there has ever been any engine work done to it. The dealer said the coolant pump & cam have plastic gears on them and that they should be replaced at the same time, costing about 600. Should I replace them or just re-torque the bolts & let it go for now?

Answer
Without knowing the engine model I can't say for certain, but on the water cooled kawasaki's I have worked on, yes the water pump has a plastic gear that rides on the cam, but I never replaced the cam just because I replaced the water pump. I agree if you replace a damaged gear you must replace any gear it meshes with, but there is no proof this gear is damaged. The water pump can be leaking without the gear being damaged. I would most certainly tighten the bolts and test it, but be careful not to overtighten these, as it could be expensive if you break one off or pull the threads out of one of the holes.