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

 

[Richard001]

Oh, geez Richard. Thank you for enlightening me -

I should come to you for life lessons too, eh?

Perhaps you should. I could teach you how to have manners and not shoot off your mouth about things you know nothing about.

What does it mean to have manners?
Having good manners means behaving in a polite, respectful, and considerate way towards others, demonstrating an awareness of social customs and etiquette. It encompasses showing respect for others' feelings, comfort, and personal space, both in social and professional settings.

I've only fixed 500-600 machines/engines -

So, you must keep repairing the same machines over and over because you didn’t do it right the first, second or third time. That’s how you get the numbers up.

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.

First, I am NOT your “mate” nor would I ever want to be. Again, you don’t know anything about me, so your condescending attitude means nothing.

Keep searching for that oil leak.

 

[MossRoad]

...What could be causing oil to get up here?

Bad breather system
Overfilled oil
Worn rings
Dipstick not seated
Really dirty air filter

Anything that could pressurize the crank case will cause oil to blow up the breather tube and into the carb area.

Plugged air filter can cause blown oil to accumulate on surfaces VS getting sucked into the carb to be burnt.

Does the engine actually lose any oil level over a given period of time? I've had a Kohler Command 25 in my machine for 24 years and there's always some oil inside the air cleaner area even though the breather tube exhausts directly over the carb. It doesn't look that bad from the pictures.

 

[jpilk99]

Bad breather system
Overfilled oil
Worn rings
Dipstick not seated
Really dirty air filter

Anything that could pressurize the crank case will cause oil to blow up the breather tube and into the carb area.

Plugged air filter can cause blown oil to accumulate on surfaces VS getting sucked into the carb to be burnt.

Does the engine actually lose any oil level over a given period of time? I've had a Kohler Command 25 in my machine for 24 years and there's always some oil inside the air cleaner area even though the breather tube exhausts directly over the carb. It doesn't look that bad from the pictures.

Great points, thank you. I'm going to give the breather tube/setup an extremely closer inspection as you and TomPlum have mentioned it. Don't believe over filled oil, really dirty air filter or dipstick not seated are the issues. Compression is quite good (both around 155-165) so not suspecting the rings.

This engine is new to me so can't comment on losing oil over time, but again, I'll check. Thanks again!

 

[hodge]

Has the air filter been oiled? Perhaps it's residue.

 

[RandyT]

My thoughts were either an overoiled air filter wrap, or something in that area that is seeping oil, and then getting blown around by the air off of the flywheel.

 

[jpilk99]

Has the air filter been oiled? Perhaps it's residue.

No, the filter is just clean foam rubber.

 

[jpilk99]

Quick update: I removed the breather tube and it's clean with no noticeable cracks or any damage. Other than a little normal grimy/dirt around the top of the engine and the breather housing, it all looked good. Even down inside the breather housing - very clean. So I believe that is functioning normally. I'm going to use some engine degreaser, get everything clean (to the best of my abilities) and then see if I can kind the source of any leaking. But honestly, from a number of comments here, it seems that it is not uncommon to get some oil up in that air box.

Thanks all!