Kohler 23hp lifter noise

turbojerk · May 24, 2006

/forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

I just brought my new CC GT2554 home last night and as soon as I got it off the trailer and dropped the RPM’s I noticed that it had a very noticeable lifter noise. At first I thought that I should let it get up to temp and see of it still remained so I did. I even drove it around my property a few times at speed just to make sure thing where running smoothly, but as soon as I returned to my garage with it and idled it down I could hear the lifter rapping and slowing down with the RPM’s and continued to do so at idle. Needless to say that I’m not very happy considering I just paid over $4k for this thing and I’m having a problem less than 12 hours later…..I’m almost considering to take it back and get a refund since this is my second new CC in less than a year. The CC I bought last year was a GT1554 and unfortunately the hydro trans took a dump with less than 50hrs on it so I got a full refund on it to. There’s other thing’s that irritate me about it like the fact that the front wheels are bent and have like a ½” or better run out and there’s scratches on the plastic hood and there’s 3 large area’s the back of the seat where the paint is rubbed through down to the metal….. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

Does anyone know anything about the lifter noise that I’m hearing on the 23hp Kohler? I'll be calling the dealer about it today, but I thought that it wouldn't hurt to ask around a bit....

Thanks
Troy
Gettysburg Pa.

turbojerk · May 24, 2006

/forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

I just brought my new CC GT2554 home last night and as soon as I got it off the trailer and dropped the RPM’s I noticed that it had a very noticeable lifter noise. At first I thought that I should let it get up to temp and see of it still remained so I did. I even drove it around my property a few times at speed just to make sure thing where running smoothly, but as soon as I returned to my garage with it and idled it down I could hear the lifter rapping and slowing down with the RPM’s and continued to do so at idle. Needless to say that I’m not very happy considering I just paid over $4k for this thing and I’m having a problem less than 12 hours later…..I’m almost considering to take it back and get a refund since this is my second new CC in less than a year. The CC I bought last year was a GT1554 and unfortunately the hydro trans took a dump with less than 50hrs on it so I got a full refund on it to. There’s other thing’s that irritate me about it like the fact that the front wheels are bent and have like a ½” or better run out and there’s scratches on the plastic hood and there’s 3 large area’s the back of the seat where the paint is rubbed through down to the metal….. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

Does anyone know anything about the lifter noise that I’m hearing on the 23hp Kohler? I'll be calling the dealer about it today, but I thought that it wouldn't hurt to ask around a bit....

Thanks
Troy
Gettysburg Pa.

JTKub · May 24, 2006

The newer kohler OHV's are a little rappy at idle. They do have hydraulic lash adjusters. The noise should go away when throttled up. Do you notice the noise more on one cylinder bank than the other? Does happen cold/hot? I'd run it for 5-10hrs to see how she does. I hear you about the front wheels/rims. One of my fronts is wobbly as well. Didn't notice it until this year. I'm sure CC gives the contract to the lowest bidder for the steel wheels. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

Joel

JTKub · May 24, 2006

The newer kohler OHV's are a little rappy at idle. They do have hydraulic lash adjusters. The noise should go away when throttled up. Do you notice the noise more on one cylinder bank than the other? Does happen cold/hot? I'd run it for 5-10hrs to see how she does. I hear you about the front wheels/rims. One of my fronts is wobbly as well. Didn't notice it until this year. I'm sure CC gives the contract to the lowest bidder for the steel wheels. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

Joel

turbojerk · May 24, 2006

( The newer kohler OHV's are a little rappy at idle. They do have hydraulic lash adjusters. The noise should go away when throttled up. Do you notice the noise more on one cylinder bank than the other? Does happen cold/hot? I'd run it for 5-10hrs to see how she does. I hear you about the front wheels/rims. One of my fronts is wobbly as well. Didn't notice it until this year. I'm sure CC gives the contract to the lowest bidder for the steel wheels. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

Joel )

It does go away when idled up but comes right back at low idle speed hot or cold....

I called the dealer and they said for me to give it a few mows and see if things clear up any, so I guess I can do that. They said that if it doesn't go away that they'd be glad to have a look at it. I did some research on the web and I found that Kohler makes a kit to eliminate the problem.---> http://www.lawnforums.com/archive/index.php/t-7276.html

The thing that pisses me off is that the 27hp Kohler that was in my other CC (GT1554) didn't make any noise what so ever and was as smooth as silk(?)

I also told them about the wheels and the seat being messed up and they are ordering me replacements......

Thanks
Troy
Gettysburg

turbojerk · May 24, 2006

( The newer kohler OHV's are a little rappy at idle. They do have hydraulic lash adjusters. The noise should go away when throttled up. Do you notice the noise more on one cylinder bank than the other? Does happen cold/hot? I'd run it for 5-10hrs to see how she does. I hear you about the front wheels/rims. One of my fronts is wobbly as well. Didn't notice it until this year. I'm sure CC gives the contract to the lowest bidder for the steel wheels. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

Joel )

It does go away when idled up but comes right back at low idle speed hot or cold....

I called the dealer and they said for me to give it a few mows and see if things clear up any, so I guess I can do that. They said that if it doesn't go away that they'd be glad to have a look at it. I did some research on the web and I found that Kohler makes a kit to eliminate the problem.---> http://www.lawnforums.com/archive/index.php/t-7276.html

The thing that pisses me off is that the 27hp Kohler that was in my other CC (GT1554) didn't make any noise what so ever and was as smooth as silk(?)

I also told them about the wheels and the seat being messed up and they are ordering me replacements......

Thanks
Troy
Gettysburg

gamble77 · May 24, 2006

Here recently we have had a spell of the Command motors with the lifter noise as you have explained. I have talked with both Kohler and Cub about this and from my own personnal experience I wouldn't worry too much about it. Just operate the machine and the noise should eventaully go away after some use...if not you always have the warranty!

gamble77 · May 24, 2006

Here recently we have had a spell of the Command motors with the lifter noise as you have explained. I have talked with both Kohler and Cub about this and from my own personnal experience I wouldn't worry too much about it. Just operate the machine and the noise should eventaully go away after some use...if not you always have the warranty!

turbojerk · May 25, 2006

Well I mowed with it for the first time last night and I’ve gotta say that the GT2554 is one nice tractor! The top speed alone shaved 1/2hr off of my mowing time and the thing can turn on a dime. I also like the way that the PTO engages over the GT1554 that I had before. It seems as if the newer style PTO clutch engages a bit slower than the ones I’ve had in the past that engaged with a bang! I feel that the 2554 *WAY* better than anything that JD has in their line-up for the money. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

As far as the lifter thing goes, I called a Kohler service tech yesterday and he told me to put one mowing on it and change out the “shipping oil” and replace it with the Kohler oil and that should clear up the noise. I’ve got to admit, the oil that I drained out last night kinda looked like skunk piss rather than any oil I’ve seen in the past. As of now I’ve changed the filter and have allowed the crankcase to fully drain over night. As soon as I get home this evening I’ll refill it and see if there are any changes. I hope that the fix is as simple as it sounds…..

Troy

turbojerk · May 25, 2006

Well I mowed with it for the first time last night and I’ve gotta say that the GT2554 is one nice tractor! The top speed alone shaved 1/2hr off of my mowing time and the thing can turn on a dime. I also like the way that the PTO engages over the GT1554 that I had before. It seems as if the newer style PTO clutch engages a bit slower than the ones I’ve had in the past that engaged with a bang! I feel that the 2554 *WAY* better than anything that JD has in their line-up for the money. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

As far as the lifter thing goes, I called a Kohler service tech yesterday and he told me to put one mowing on it and change out the “shipping oil” and replace it with the Kohler oil and that should clear up the noise. I’ve got to admit, the oil that I drained out last night kinda looked like skunk piss rather than any oil I’ve seen in the past. As of now I’ve changed the filter and have allowed the crankcase to fully drain over night. As soon as I get home this evening I’ll refill it and see if there are any changes. I hope that the fix is as simple as it sounds…..

Troy