1862 Kohler Magnum 18 -operating temp?

DAC1227 · Jun 28, 2012

I hadn't the slightest thought of something like that, thanks! I have plenty of room as seen below.

DAC1227 · Jun 28, 2012

*After thought.....
might this be why (for cooling purposes) the filter is behind the heat shield to begin with?

Carl_NH · Jun 28, 2012

Dac,

Doubt it - there is little to no air in that area. More the reason is this is where there was space and yes it happens to be cooler there.

Engine oil cooling would be good - in back of the air intake but then its pulling heated air thru the engine and in front its hot air from the engine not doing much cooling IMO. I would opt for a rear cooler - to remove as much as possible.

I put the hydro cooler on my Ferris and it did great - will it allow my pumps and wheel motors to last longer?> Maybe.. Time will tell.

Still would like to hear what your machine registers temp wise..

Carl

DAC1227 · Jun 30, 2012

OK, with RadioShack pocket infrared thermometer: 20 minute warm up no load, 75 F sunset.

Average air temperature from grill (not exhaust pipe): 215 F
" grille insert surface temp: 185-226 F
Air cleaner surface temp: top 145 F, bottom 175 F
Heat shields in excess of 230 F (unit max read)
Hood surface temp: 140 F

Tomorrow I'll be re-performing these tests after putting tractor through it's paces under load during daylight hours with temps expected to reach 99 F and full sun. My goal is to get accurate surface temp readings on hood and side panels in extreme conditions.

mark1 · Jul 5, 2012

Even tho my 1863 has always run very hot it has never seemed to be a problem. But this year I have noticed that if you shut it off after mowing for a hour or two.then It's a bear to get to start again. untill it cools off.I think the carb gets heat soaked. ? gas in carb. evaporates then has no fuel to start again.I'm not sure what to do about it.I do open the hood to help it cool but it isn't much help.I been telling the wife not to shut it off unless were done for the day. any ideas?? what's this oil cooler unit??

DAC1227 · Jul 5, 2012

Does it crank over when trying to start?

Carl_NH · Jul 5, 2012

Could be the iginition coil getting too hot too. But if its fuel related try pressurizing the gas tank (blow in it) for 10 sec to prime the pump - if that works then its fuel - if that doesnt check the spark when it wont start - it could be a weak coil.

mark1 · Jul 6, 2012

Ok Carl.I'll check that.I had figured that if it was the coil I'd be able to flood it.but so far not even a gas smell. It cranks over and over and over great but takes almost forever to start. fortunatly now with all this hot weather and no rain the grass is hardly growing. Wife has been watering the trees and her flowers but the lawn is to big to attempt to water. and it's mostly weeds anyhow.Thanks guys. (Wait till I tell the wife to blow into the gas tank?????I can hear her response now!!!!

Carl_NH · Jul 6, 2012

Well received the new fuel pump for my 1811 Kohler on Tuesday so installed it today. It was stumbling and stalling out so cleaned the carb and still stalling when tank gets low on fuel.

Had to remove some shrouds to get at it and found insulation up near the top of the head (mice from three years ago).. So cleaned out the housing and lubed the starter while in there.

ALl back together and runs fine now - did another temp measurement - 80* ambient temp now running about 185* left front of the grill - down a bit from before. Also used my infrared unit and top of air cleaner was 150* so DAC yours seems to be in the right range/same range as mine.

Also pulled the plugs - nice and tan, clean as a whistle so bolted everything back together and cut for an hour then took the above readings.