129 Issues...HELP!

[chubyboy]

hi there, i recently bought a 129 from a friend that needed a new rim, and a drag link... well found both on ebay, i bought a pair of rims and tires (used) which came off a CC with 1" spindles only to find that the 129 has 3/4" spndles...grrr...well a couple of 3" by 3/4" ID pipe nipple and about 45 minutes of grinding time later they are mounted, all for the price of less than one new rim and the bearings for it...i got the drag link on as well, i ned to adjust it bc the tractor turns much sharper left than right... no biggie... Well, i replaced the belts, the plug, and soon to get a battery. today i had it running for the first time, and she was pretty fast. the buddy i bought it from must have already hot rodded the speed adjustment for me bc it dont seem like only 8mph fore and 4mph aft...
well i mowed a couple yards, today mine and another guys. driving around town was great, i was able to do wheelies, etc, so i know the hydro is still really strong. but whilst mowing my yard, which had just begun to need mowing i noticed some smoke from teh left side of teh motor. there was some oil/dity slidge there since i got it, and i threw some paint on the motor, so i thought nothing of it. upon mowing the other guys yard i found that there was even more smoke, pretty noticable now. she also sounded like she was having lifter tap from low oil...well i had seen she was low and added some seafoam previosly which brought her up arounf full and after that approx 3-4 hrs of driving and mowing she was barely covering the word "ADD". i noticed the plug was fould when i replaced it also. Oil was dark, and obvopusly needed changing too. so i am left to wonder, if i have excessive blow by from worn rings or if i just need a new breather...any ideas?

 

[art]

The plug, the color of the oil all say rings!!! To much RPM will do that you know!
On the steering, the link that runs to the front axle will adjust the uneven turn circle out.,

 

[Dave01]

The Seafoam will thin out your oil and turn it black as it cleans the crud out of your engine. I'd only use it like an engine flush, and only if you think you need it, run it in the engine for 5-10 minutes at half throttle and no load and drain and change the oil. In a 129 I don't believe the oil system is pressurized, just splash (someone correct me if I'm wrong there), so I really doubt the seafoam circulates enough to clean much beyond the sump.

I'd stay away from the oil additive, there isn't much oil in the sump to start with and adding stuff only will do bad things. Do an oil change and fill with 30 weight, see if the lifter noise goes away and the rings seal properly so you don't burn oil and pressurize the crankcase.

 

[chubyboy]

well everything was black like that when i got it, i just added seafoam to clean it out before i change the oil...which im about to do...well, at least rings are cheap...

 

[dqdave1]

Hone the cylinders if you change the rings ,at the least.

 

[Merk]

Check this F.A.Q in Kohler's website:
Kohler Engines: FAQs: Manuals & Maintenance
Halfway down there is a question on using oil or fuel additives.
This is Kohler's answer to the question:
Kohler does not recommend using additives or cleaners in the oil or fuel system. Air-cooled engines operate at higher temperatures than liquid-cooled automotive engines, and additives developed for automotive use may not perform properly at higher temperatures. Oil additives can prematurely break down, altering the properties of the oil and leading to extensive internal damage or failure. Fuel system cleaning additives have a tendency to separate and turn acidic, causing damage to fuel system components. However, a fuel stabilizer is recommended in the fuel during periods of non-use (one month or more) to ****** fuel deterioration.


Sea Foam is an additive.

The crank case breather is on the left side of the motor. I would try changing that first. Make sure you install the breather cover the correct way. A Kohler manual shows you the correct way to install the breather. You can download a free manual from Kohler.

There in more to it than just replacing the rings. The piston will be burnt around the exhaust valve area and need replace. The connecting rod has seem its better days and should be replaced too. I would replace the plastic governor gear if it is made of plastic. Plastic gets brittle after years of use. A Kohler service manual has a good section on rebuilding a K series motor. You need to check the bore in 6 different places for taper. If the bore is not in specs you will need to have the motor bored.

You can do it the cheap way......you will be doing it again in a few years. This time it will cost you more to do.

 

[diesel_nut]

I don't know about SeaFoam in the oil. I've never used it for that and doubt I would. It is great in cleaning gummed up carbs however and I don't use it for anything other than that.