2001 PT425 Kohler CH25 Oil Leak - Pull The Engine

[MossRoad]

Had many things going on in evenings, plus plenty tired from work.

Waiting for hydraulic cap and plug set to arrive around 21st of November. I put up some LED lights in the garage and hung one under the canopy to make it nice and bright when work commences. Just cleaning up the gumbo in the engine compartment as time permits.

Once engine tub compartment is cleaned out, I'll use some cardboard to make a template of the engine mount bolt holes in the tub bottom. Then use that to measure up a plate and some square tubing to cut and weld into an engine stand. Then mount it up and figure out how to fire it up. Gonna find an ignition key, wiring socket, etc. to match what's in the machine, and a little battery stand to make it easier. I have several small engines I'd like to work on over the winter.

 

[2manyrocks]

20 something years of use isn't a bad run for a small air cooled gas engine. As much as you use your PT425, a new engine would give you many more years of trouble free service.

 

[MossRoad]

Yeah, I've been very pleased with the machine.

I've often wondered how long a similar machine with an automobile 4 cylinder liquid cooled gas engine would last? Probably indefinitely, given the hours.

Perhaps a Chevy 153 from a 60's Chevy II.

 

[ponytug]

I think many of the small car engines from that period would be interesting, but most would have way more HP, a bigger size, and fuel consumption. Perhaps Honda's CVCC civic engine would be small enough? Of course, finding the engine might be an interesting search...

All the best,

Peter

 

[2manyrocks]

VW Beetle engines used to get adapted to a lot of uses. Interestingly, these guys evidently build new ones. Classic Black — Darryl's Air-cooled Engines for Vintage Volkswagen

Mustie1 has a VW engine tractor repair video on his YT channel.

 

[MossRoad]

I think many of the small car engines from that period would be interesting, but most would have way more HP, a bigger size, and fuel consumption. Perhaps Honda's CVCC civic engine would be small enough? Of course, finding the engine might be an interesting search...

All the best,

Peter

Apparently it evolved into the Vortec 3000. 181 cubic inches and 140HP. Just maaaaaaybe a bit too much power.

 

[ponytug]

I was thinking original, scrapyard engines...

 

[MossRoad]

I was thinking original, scrapyard engines...

Yeah, me too. I started looking. Then I got sucked down the rabbit hole....

Forklifts, marine applications, etc.

 

[2manyrocks]

The HF engine has been mentioned on TBN before as a possible replacement, but I'm not sure anyone has yet mentioned that the instruction manual for the Harbor Freight predator 22 hp 670 cc engine says not to use it on a surface tilted 15 degrees or more. https://manuals.harborfreight.com/manuals/61000-61999/61614-193175469304.pdf (page 4 item #4)

 

[ponytug]

The HF engine has been mentioned on TBN before as a possible replacement, but I'm not sure anyone has yet mentioned that the instruction manual for the Harbor Freight predator 22 hp 670 cc engine says not to use it on a surface tilted 15 degrees or more. https://manuals.harborfreight.com/manuals/61000-61999/61614-193175469304.pdf (page 4 item #4)

Yes, good catch, that is a general problem for replacement engines in Power-tracs. Some engines can be ordered with deep sumps that extend the allowable tilt angle, and if you really want to go for it, there is always installing a dry sump system used by some racing and aircraft engines.

Or just buy an engine with a tilt rating that matches your intended usage...not everyone using a PT uses it on slopes steeper than 15 degrees, though I definitely do.

All the best,

Peter

 

[arto98607]

Maybe best to find out first where the oil leak is and see what it would take to repair it.....


Just saying

 

[2manyrocks]

Here you go;

Amazon.com

It has been great to have for me.

All the best,

Peter

Mine arrived from Amazon in an outer plastic shipping bag, a thin cardboard box, and the fittings inside a divided plastic storage box. The corner of the storage box was broken from shipping and some of the interior plastic dividers were also broken. I'm thinking about returning it for a replacement because I can see the value of keeping them organized in the plastic storage box, although it looks a little thin, IMO.

Are you still able to use the box that yours came in or do you have some other storage solution?

 

[MossRoad]

Maybe best to find out first where the oil leak is and see what it would take to repair it.....


Just saying

What fun is that?

 

[MossRoad]

Mine arrived from Amazon in an outer plastic shipping bag, a thin cardboard box, and the fittings inside a divided plastic storage box. The corner of the storage box was broken from shipping and some of the interior plastic dividers were also broken. I'm thinking about returning it for a replacement because I can see the value of keeping them organized in the plastic storage box, although it looks a little thin, IMO.

Are you still able to use the box that yours came in or do you have some other storage solution?

Mine's supposed to be here tomorrow.

 

[ponytug]

Mine arrived from Amazon in an outer plastic shipping bag, a thin cardboard box, and the fittings inside a divided plastic storage box. The corner of the storage box was broken from shipping and some of the interior plastic dividers were also broken. I'm thinking about returning it for a replacement because I can see the value of keeping them organized in the plastic storage box, although it looks a little thin, IMO.

Are you still able to use the box that yours came in or do you have some other storage solution?

If I didn't keep it in the box that I bought it in, it would get messy here.

OTOH, yes, it is a cheap box, and perhaps a higher quality parts box is the best solution.

All the best,

Peter

 

[MossRoad]

I'm starting to collect these types of storage boxes from Harbor Freight. Kinda handy.

Organizers - Harbor Freight Tools

Find a variety of sturdy organizers at Harbor Freight. Ideal for storing tools, nails, screws, tackle and other small parts. Rugged enough for any jobsite.

www.harborfreight.com

 

[MossRoad]

20-Bin Medium Portable Parts Storage Case

Amazing deals on this 20-Bin Medium Portable Storage Case at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

 

[2manyrocks]

Looks like the dimensions of the HF case are bigger than those of the case that came with the caps.

If Amazon had just shipped the case in an outer box with some padding instead of shipping it in an unpadded plastic bag, I think it would have arrived unbroken and would have been fine for my occasional use. It seems well labeled and organized.

I hope they shipped yours in an outer box with some padding.

 

[ponytug]

Looks like the dimensions of the HF case are bigger than those of the case that came with the caps.

If Amazon had just shipped the case in an outer box with some padding instead of shipping it in an unpadded plastic bag, I think it would have arrived unbroken and would have been fine for my occasional use. It seems well labeled and organized.

I hope they shipped yours in an outer box with some padding.

They did not ship mine with padding, and it made it. Then again they shipped a tube of caulk in just an envelope and the tip broke off in shipping...

@MossRoad, what do you think of those boxes?

All the best,

Peter

 

[MossRoad]

They did not ship mine with padding, and it made it. Then again they shipped a tube of caulk in just an envelope and the tip broke off in shipping...

@MossRoad, what do you think of those boxes?

All the best,

Peter

The boxes are OK.

I have Stanley storage boxes at my job. They have 4 latches on them. Two in front and two on the sides. But they have removable dividers, and I don't like them so much. The dividers tend to move when you don't want them to.

I have a Dewalt box for my drip irrigation stuff. It's pretty sturdy and locks nicely. It also has the removable dividers. But it's pretty expensive compared.

The Harbor Freight boxes only have latches on the front. They are more prone to accidental dumping if loaded with heavy nuts and bolts. So I make it a habit to keep one finger holding the lid down. But they have individual boxes inside of them VS the removable dividers. I find those more useful. I can arrange them more to my suiting, and even pull one out instead of taking the whole box. Also, on a few of them, I've swapped some of the small inner boxes for larger boxes between units. That's handy. 4 smaller inner boxes take up the same space as two medium inner boxes or 1 large inner box. So for example, I have one case for electrical connectors, automotive fuses, etc. They don't need the large inner boxes. So I have many smaller ones in that case. Then I have a case for screws. Those work better with the larger inner cases.

Works out well for my needs, and pretty inexpensive.