Kohler Oil Cooler

Leo Rabon · Jan 25, 2012

I bought a GT 2000 Cub (20 HP Kohler) in June of 2011. Obviously, I started out running the CUB during the hot summer months. Here in SC it is not unusual to get 95 degree ambient temps in July and August. I know that Air Cooled runs hot but IMHO, I think the Kohler ran very warm and it may be due to the shrouds installed by MTD, who knows. I have read many of the posts regarding installing the Kohler Oil Cooler and many comments regarding the difficulty of the installation. I am not a "wrench" but do have some knowledge and patience to "possibly?" install the oil cooler if it can be done with some of the suggestions by those that have intalled the oil cooler "without doing all of the MODs". Listed below are some questions and comments that would be helpful to me in making a decision about whether to install or not. Any comments would be appreciated.

1. Some have commented that they did the install "without removing the fan shroud". If so, what is the downside to not removing the shroud? Why would you need to remove the shroud?
2. Many have commented about attaching some type of piece to the end of the engine that came with a square hole and if you did not have the square piece on the engine, you would have to pull the flywheel. What is this thing that has to be attached to the end of the engine (since you have to pull the flywheel?) Is it a baffle to direct the air through the oil coller fins? If that is the case and you don't remove the fan shroud to place the baffle in, does the oil cooler work adequately?
3. For those that have installed the oil cooler, has it helped the heat situation?

I am concerned about the heat situation coming up this summer and I would like to go ahead and intall the oil cooler, if I can. I think I can do the job, if I don't have to remove the fan shroud but I need advice on whether the install can be done this way.

Any advice and pics on this matter would be greatly appreciated.
Thank You
Leo

savageactor7 · Jan 26, 2012

Yeah, I agree that the engine gets WAY too hot so this topic has peaked my curiosity.

In the mean time I switched to Shell Rotella, cut in 30m increments or so, and always leave the hood up when finished mowing.

CCinCT · Jan 26, 2012

With the tractor being so new, you may want to consider having your dealer install it so that you don't potentially void the warranty by making an installation mistake. Mine took about 2-1/2 hours to do so, only because it was the first one he had ever done (back in 2007/8). Most people who have done it themselves have taken anywhere from 1-1/2 to 6 hours, depending on their skills with a wrench. Unfortunately I don't have any pictures or anything to help you out. Most of the info I've seen on this topic is on another forum.

SKIDOZER · Jan 26, 2012

Run some synthetic oil also temp may drop as much as 20deg

I use amsoil small engine oil

savageactor7 · Jan 27, 2012

20* difference ...Holy Cow SKIDOZER that's incredible perhaps this spring I'll give that amsoil small engine oil a try.

How many hours is it good for?

MrFoPow · Jan 27, 2012

I'm definitely going to get one of these. I've also switched to T5 Rotella and the motor seems much happier.

Kernopelli · Jan 28, 2012

Some tend to run hot. I swapped the engine in my Deere ZTR and the new one runs so much cooler you'd think it was a completely different design. I have a good used cooler from a CH20....same unit used on CH/CV18-25. Shoot me a PM if interested.

Undercover · Feb 1, 2012

I am thinking about running a synthetic oil in one of my magnums that runs hotter than the other.Is there any downside using a synthetic?

Captain Ned · Feb 1, 2012

Undercover said:
I am thinking about running a synthetic oil in one of my magnums that runs hotter than the other.Is there any downside using a synthetic?

Nope. Rotella T6 is usually available at Wal-Mart. It's a diesel engine oil, so it's made for more stress and higher temps. It's also pretty low-cost for a full-syn oil.

MrFoPow · Feb 2, 2012

Captain Ned said:
Nope. Rotella T6 is usually available at Wal-Mart. It's a diesel engine oil, so it's made for more stress and higher temps. It's also pretty low-cost for a full-syn oil.

Yep, whether you go T5 or T6 they're both very high quality oils.

Undercover · Feb 3, 2012

T 5 rotella vs amsoil 10-30,30 or mobel 1. Any opinions on what is best for a kohler magnum 18?I think i'm going to use one of these.

Captain Ned · Feb 3, 2012

Mobil 1's reputation has taken a bit of a beating in the car world (BITOG forums), and with the price of Rotella (either T5 or T6) it's hard to go with anything other than the Rotella, especially since it's the only diesel-designed oil of your bunch.

Undercover · Feb 7, 2012

Shell rotella T5 or T6 what one should i use in a kohler magnum 18hp.I am thinking T5 but not sure?The walmart here sells the T5.

THANK YOU

Captain Ned · Feb 7, 2012

Either is just fine. T5 is partial-syn, T6 is full-syn. T6 is a tad better than T5, but T5 is miles better than dino squeezings.

Undercover · Feb 7, 2012

Thanks Captain Ned you have been very helpful.
I am still thinking about the Amsoil 4stroke 10w30.
But as i am looking around Royal Purple comes up alot what do you think of the 10w30 they sell for small engines?One nice thing it sells on ebay so in will be a little handier to get than the amsoil.
Thanks again

Kurttb1 · Mar 6, 2018

Kernopelli said:
Some tend to run hot. I swapped the engine in my Deere ZTR and the new one runs so much cooler you'd think it was a completely different design. I have a good used cooler from a CH20....same unit used on CH/CV18-25. Shoot me a PM if interested.

I know this is a long shot but do you still have that used Oil Cooler for a Kohler?

Coyote machine · Mar 6, 2018

Kurttb1 said:
I know this is a long shot but do you still have that used Oil Cooler for a Kohler?

Welcome to TBN.
Now, since the thread is from 2012, your best bet on finding the cooler is to PM the OP of this thread.

Kurttb1 · Mar 7, 2018

Coyote machine said:
Welcome to TBN.
Now, since the thread is from 2012, your best bet on finding the cooler is to PM the OP of this thread.

Hey, Thanks for the reply, I was going to do that but I didn't know how to PM here.

Coyote machine · Mar 7, 2018

Kurttb1 said:
Hey, Thanks for the reply, I was going to do that but I didn't know how to PM here.

Go to the person's username and click on it; the PM link will show.

Leo Rabon · Mar 8, 2018

Kurttb1 said:
I know this is a long shot but do you still have that used Oil Cooler for a Kohler?

Kurttb1:
Don't know if you were able to get the used oil cooler from that old post but if not, I have a "Brand New" one for a CH20 that I never installed. I will sell it at a reasonable price. Post back on this site contact info if you still need one.

Leo Rabon