Good morning!!!!

[m7040]

46F and cloudy @ 17:45, heading down to 42F for the overnight low.

Just got back from Menards and the mower shop.

Stopped by the mower shop first and talked to the service writer. A fairly disappointing experience.

After clearing up who I was (he didn't seem real clear on it ... despite having talked to me ... yesterday ?) After discussing the issue for a bit he told me that both front lower bolts on the valve covers were inaccessible and that he had pulled the shop owner in on it and shop owner said motor has to come out. Said I could take it up with him if I wanted to. Strike one.

I told him I just wanted to see the issue with the valve cover bolts myself. So we headed on over to the rack where the hydraulic oil was being changed.



Actually, a very good call on your part ...

As the service writer and I approach the rack, the kid that has done the hydraulic service is standing there holding one of the bottles of hydraulic fluid, topping things off apparently.

Can you see where this is going ?

As if on cue, he promptly bobbles the open bottle of hydraulic fluid he's holding, dropping it on top of the engine and spilling fluid on the front half of the engine and engine compartment ... and says something like "Well ... that's not good" ... yeah ... probably not. ...

Strike two.

So after having a look, I determine that the lower left front valve cover bolt has marginal clearance to the frame to fit a Torx bit into it. Maybe 1/8" divot in the frame would have allowed access.

Service writer is busy telling me it's the same deal on the other side as well (left lower front bolt) ... at which point I bend down and tell him that if you come at it from under the gas tank with an extension there should be enough clearance to be able to get to the bolt. Appears that there's a better shot there as the bolt doesn't appear to sit as low in relation to the frame as the other side.

At this point the service writer wants to pull me over to the next rack which has another Pro Z 100 series sitting it. I tell him I'm really not interested - since it's a different model with different engine (Kawasaki) ... although it was notable that that model was even worse in terms of clearance.

We head back over to the office and have some additional discussion which I won't detail here. Commiserated with him about companies not being willing to pay fair time/rate on warranty work. He gives me an 800 number for Cub to call and share my thoughts. Asks me if there is anything he can do for me, I mention I seem to recall something about perhaps the manual recommended a spark plug change @ XXX hours (100 ? 500 ?)

He replies that they change them at 50 hours.

Really ?

I am pretty much flabbergasted ... and didn't even bother to ask why. Strike three.

So we pretty much left it there. The whole thing was very cordial - but kind of loose-goosy from his end, and I didn't go off on anyone ... other than when I was heading out the door the kid that had spilled the oil was heading outside as well, about 20' ahead of me and I yelled "Hey !" to get his attention and when he turned around I said "You're gonna give that thing a bath ... right ?" He replied in the affirmative ...

So I think we/they are done at this point, need to call tomorrow though ... just to make sure.

Service writer did point out that even if the bolts can be gotten out, there still might be an issue with getting the valve cover off, in terms of clearance with the frame. That's a fair point and I guess I will find out.

Found a post online from a guy that has pulled that engine (Kohler Confidant EZT750) ... maybe in a different machine ? ... that said it weights around 100 lbs ... so it's not an insurmountable obstacle. Just would prefer to not have to mess with removing the electric clutch and whatever else on the bottom.

Headed to Menards after that and picked up the new shower pan. Ended up wishing I had taken the van, pan wouldn't fit in the back seat and barely ended up fitting in the trunk (had to leave trunk open and tie it down)

At any rate managed to get that home without losing it out the back.

Hope everyone has a decent evening ...

I don't see the valve adjustment in the service manual under maintenance requirements. I see change spark plugs at 500 hours

https://resources.kohler.com/power/kohler/enginesUS/pdf/24_690_07_EN.pdf

 

[rswyan]

I don't see the valve adjustment in the service manual under maintenance requirements. I see change spark plugs at 500 hours

https://resources.kohler.com/power/kohler/enginesUS/pdf/24_690_07_EN.pdf

That’s not the correct manual for the model engine I have (Kohler Confidant EZT750)

Try this one:

https://resources.kohler.com/power/kohler/enginesUS/pdf/16_590_06_EN.pdf

Valve lash and spark plugs both listed @ 500 hours.

 

[Popgadget]

Got back from the Vet, with only his leash and collar. He was my my fourth dog and the third I had to put down. Sure will be quiet around here...

I’m so sorry to hear that news.
Sadly whenever we get a dog, on some level we are aware that we will likely outlive them, but that doesn’t make it any easier. When we lost Emily (Zoe’s predecessor) we said that was it, we were not going to get another dog, we were both septuagenarians and that we were too old to deal with another puppy.
That lasted about 6 or 8 months. As I type this there is a 110 puppy lying across my feet that brings me joy every day.

 

[rswyan]

RS, that's a sad saga.
makes you wonder if the factory has a special low clearance tool for that.

None by Kohler that I’ve seen.

If one were available it would most likely come from Cub since the problem is specific to their unit … although it may not be limited to only their models.

Did tell the service writer that in terms of getting a Torx bit in there I’d probably be inclined to pick up a cheap set of T-handle Torx bits ($12 @ Harbor Freight) cut off the handle and stick it in a bit holder to gain access to the 2 problem valve cover bolts.

TORX Offset T-Handle Hex Key Set, 6 Piece

Amazing deals on this 6Pc Offset T-Handle Torx Key Set at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

The small diameter/long reach might help.

sorry this isn't easier and surprised you are having these problems with quality equipment. I bet you are too.

Well yeah … but I’ve come to the conclusion that all makes have their upsides and downsides.

Once I get the unit back I’ll take some pictures and post them.

I would get your mower out of dealer's clutches and do it yourself if you can.

That’s the plan.

 

[Popgadget]

Service writer did point out that even if the bolts can be gotten out, there still might be an issue with getting the valve cover off, in terms of clearance with the frame. That's a fair point and I guess I will find out.

If it’s a vertical shaft engine, can you just unbolt it and rotate it for clearance?

 

[rswyan]

If it’s a vertical shaft engine, can you just unbolt it and rotate it for clearance?

Possibly a very good point …

Dunno if there’s anything that would prevent it from rotating but I’ll definitely check it out.

 

[Popgadget]

Possibly a very good point …

Dunno if there’s anything that would prevent it from rotating but I’ll definitely check it out.

I changed the engine on my Lazer its Kohler Command series and had 4 mounting bolts threaded into to it from below. I can’t remember if the clutch had to be removed to access the bolts.

 

[mostly_gas]

Good evening all. 61ºF for the start, overcast, light breeze, trace of rain. Windy at times, periods of rain, Overcast all day, and high temp was 67ºF. Made coffee to start day, prepared for cleaning ladies, cleaned on Peugeot and lubed chain while they worked. Fan switch failed on stove while she was trying replace the knob. Have call into guy who will look at it tomorrow. Also put new cleats on bike shoes, getting mud off was pain. Trip to bike shop to drop Volagi at shop, pedal crank loose, needs new chain, and flaps. They are going to experiment with new tool to reduce disc brake disc runout. Got some books at book store, and a nap when I got home.
RS valve looks very straight forward. Other than pulling the engine to adjust valves, prices may be reasonable.
Helo sorry about pollen. Good to hear new customers reaching out to you. Good luck with new car.
Buppies glad you got nice rain. Sorry about pain not getting better. prayers sent.
Ron glad Sassy got a nice walk around property. Hope shopping went well. Hope mud cleanup went well. neat pic
Thomas sorry about flood alert. Hope parts store time went fast.
Billy hope you dry out a bit. Sorry about Costco wipers. Hope trip to Costco not too expensive.
Mike sorry about the prospect of more rain. Hope you got your supplies and beer.
Drew hope drive went well and you have fun with friends.
Plowhog good luck with exposing nephew to rural life, hope employment goes well.
Bill hope town run and electrical work went well.
Frits glad wife got to go on the nice drive. Interesting bender. Hope D got her share of awards. Hope she has safe trip to Colunbia and back.
Gstrom my sympathy and prayers for you on your loss.
Scott(vt) sorry about having to assemble the Chinese crap. Nice of you to take dinner to friends.
Paul Glad you got spindles done and trip to Martha's Vineyard. Sorry trip back home from airport not so good. Hope you can get shop straightened up and ground dries out a bit.
Ken sorry about low energy. hope you were able to finish painting shelves. I hate sinus infections.
Lou sorry about the faulty license plate and all the extra hoopla.
Dennis sorry sitting and waiting.
RNG sorry about no camping trip. Hope cabinet work and unpacking boxes progress well.
David sorry about all the issues with fireplace. Hope H&F went well with good result for the guys. Beef short ribs sound good.
Gstrom again I am sorry for your loss.
Dennis glad less work at dentist, sorry about bill at Costco. Hope wife happy with new light.
Drew glad good trip so far. Drew sounds like neat place.
Randy(wag) hope sign work went well. Hope horse transfer went smoothly, enjoy your heat wave and seat time.
RS sorry visit to shop went so poorly. Glad you got new shower pan home with no damage to anything.
NHBX looks like it is blooming in the road
prayer for all, especially Jay/Peg, Kyle /Daughter, /mom's breathing, /son's migraines, Bird /aging issues, Ron /heart, Billy /mom hypertension & congestive heart failure, David(moss) /remodel, /divorce, Buppies /cancer, parathyroid,blood sugar /wife healing, Thomas /gout, Phil /reflux, Frits /veteran son with mental issues, /granddaughter with Evans Syndrome, Ken /dad possible dementia, /chronic fatigue, Diet not working, Steppenwolfe /son-auto immune disorder, Grev /wife's eye, Ted /knee recovery, /retirement & disability red tape, /family issues, Lou /eye issues, /heart issues, /wife hip replacement, Doug and wife/health issues, / hand nerve and surgery, /fall and recovery, / wife headaches and heart eval, / David(sadamo)/Sophie's hip or leg pain, Scaredy/shoulder dislocation, /marriage dissolving, / friend stop drinking, Dennis /retirement, /neighbor issues, /land development, /favorable winds not in the forecast there, /dad surgery recovery, Drew /back operation issues, /friend's wife cancer diagnosis and recovery, Scotty /back pain, Helogabals /wife's friend situation, Fatjay /father broken hip, Israel, Ukraine war, and Country.

 

[Looking4new]

RS, is there any way you can modify the frame so you can get the bolts out without disturbing the engine?

 

[ronjhall]

Coffee is done brewing. 40° with mostly cloudy skies this morning. Heading to 50° with clouds and rain. Yesterday was a great winter day. 57° made it a good day to clean up pole barn floor. Maybe I will be able find something after dropping on floor. Grocery shopping went good. Back to puttering in shop and barn today.
Turkey did not stay long. Cranes did not leave much after cleanup.

Everyone stay safe and well.

Good Morning All.