Kohler 26hp twin on Craftsman riding mower - oily carb???

[jpilk99]

I have this Kohler Courage 26hp (SV735) twin engine and noticing oily residue up around the aircleaner box by the carb, the front of the carb, under the carb at solenoid and directly below it. Stupid question but: What would cause this? Engine is NOT overfilled with oil. Valves are set. What could be causing oil to get up here?

Thanks for any help.

Jay

 

[dodge man]

I’d assume some kind of small oil leak. Is there some kind of pvc valve going into the carb. That hose would have a little oil residue going through it if it leaks.

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

Blow by?

Bad egr valve (if it has such a thing?)?

 

[tomplum]

Is their oil dripping from the breather hose? These sometimes keeping them slightly under the full level helps. BTW if you suspect the valve covers at all, the composite cover kit is a good way to go.

 

[jpilk99]

Is their oil dripping from the breather hose? These sometimes keeping them slightly under the full level helps. BTW if you suspect the valve covers at all, the composite cover kit is a good way to go.

Thanks Tom. No oil dripping from breather hose. If anything, oil level is a little on the low side. Thinking if I add more oil, it's going to "suck it up" to wherever it's leaking from, no? I set the valves, put new gaskets on with gasket sealer and didn't over torque - tightened evenly and properly. That said, I do see a little oily residue on a bottom bolt - thinking whatever oil is leaking somewhere above, it's running downhill to that bolt. Weird that its on bottom of carb - seems to be coming from air box...

 

[Richard001]

Looks normal to me. It's a ICE engine with oil and gas everywhere. If it is annoying, don't look at it.

 

[tomplum]

Thanks Tom. No oil dripping from breather hose. If anything, oil level is a little on the low side. Thinking if I add more oil, it's going to "suck it up" to wherever it's leaking from, no? I set the valves, put new gaskets on with gasket sealer and didn't over torque - tightened evenly and properly. That said, I do see a little oily residue on a bottom bolt - thinking whatever oil is leaking somewhere above, it's running downhill to that bolt. Weird that its on bottom of carb - seems to be coming from air box...

The joy of air cooled engines. At least earlier ones had a tendency to make the breather pump oil if overfilled. It was at a time when Kohler had dipstick changes etc. So, these don't have VC gaskets. . .32-755-49-S should you be so inclined.

Is the top of the block area a possible source? IE breather cover or upper seal? The breather has misc parts, IE a reed and a foam filter, either a gasket or sealant. I've cleaned these when they did get overfilled, but haven't had other issues. I suppose that it could spray or leak a little oil at some times and not others. That air box could also not have a perfect mating area at the carb flange. Commands had spit cups due to the filter placement, these would just spit into the box when they get a workin' -maybe drip out. Is the air box itself clean and oil free?

 

[Richard001]

Oh, geez Richard. Thank you for enlightening me - I should come to you for life lessons too, eh? I've only fixed 500-600 machines/engines - and when I see oil coverage, like this, in strange places like this, I tend to investigate as it is NOT normal. At all. Your advice, to ignore, is pretty stupid, mate.

No need to start calling names, unless you want to go down that street.

 

[jpilk99]

The joy of air cooled engines. At least earlier ones had a tendency to make the breather pump oil if overfilled. It was at a time when Kohler had dipstick changes etc. So, these don't have VC gaskets. . .32-755-49-S should you be so inclined.

Is the top of the block area a possible source? IE breather cover or upper seal? The breather has misc parts, IE a reed and a foam filter, either a gasket or sealant. I've cleaned these when they did get overfilled, but haven't had other issues. I suppose that it could spray or leak a little oil at some times and not others. That air box could also not have a perfect mating area at the carb flange. Commands had spit cups due to the filter placement, these would just spit into the box when they get a workin' -maybe drip out. Is the air box itself clean and oil free?

The airbox is definitely not dry/clean. If you look at the images it shows the box and I think it is the left side that us prerty oily.

I’ve never noticed a “breather” with reed and foam filter. On the engine a parts diagram- where would I look?

THANK YOU!

 

[tomplum]

The airbox is definitely not dry/clean. If you look at the images it shows the box and I think it is the left side that us prerty oily.

I’ve never noticed a “breather” with reed and foam filter. On the engine a parts diagram- where would I look?

THANK YOU!

It's on the top of the block on these. PartsTree - Home of OEM Parts for Outdoor Power Equipment