Rebuilding Kohler

StoneHeartFarm · Jul 30, 2002

Re: Refreshing Kohler

That's what we're here for /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

Now, its almost time for an oil change. You'll probably want to change it several times over the first few hours of running to get any gunk cleaned out that you missed on your refresh.

Also, keep a watch on the oil level. This is when any little leaks are likely to show up. Look for runs, puddles or drips on the outside of the engine. When you change your oil, check the torque on things like the carb bolts, sometimes they loosen up.

Otherwise, sounds like you're done and it's fun time! /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif Keep us posted on your loader idea. I'm fixing to figure out how to add electric lift to mine ala the idea posted on the simpletractors site.

SHF

qwerty15 · Jul 31, 2002

Re: Refreshing Kohler

Engines at 2h 10min. The manual said to change ofter the first five should i do it earlier? I do have a leak somewhere but i am having trouble finding it. I hear a sound like air is coming out and i think thats where the little oil leak is. The noise goes away when the engine is brought above idle. I also have to adjust the carb because the spark plug looks like it will be carbon fouled soon. The manual say that means its running rich. I Was driving it today and i found my tie rods are worn out when it fell apart. I had bought new ones from Lowes the MTD brand. I know their tractors are garbage but i didnt think the tie rods would be too. I raplace one and drove the tractor around for 10 min and the tierod broke. It was made of soft metal so i got a drill bit and an easy out to remove the broken bolt. Well i have to go and find a temporary fix. Oh yeah after the loader im doing a front spindle upgrade and power steering!!
Frank

qwerty15 · Jul 31, 2002

Re: Refreshing Kohler

Heres where i got the plans for the loader. Im going to modify the subframe so it extends to the rear axle. That should keep my frame from twisting i hope.

http://www.p.f.engineering.50megs.com/

StoneHeartFarm · Jul 31, 2002

Re: Refreshing Kohler

The manual for my tecumseh said to change after the first hour. I've heard some people say they change after the first 20 minutes. Then again at 1 hour. Again at 3 hours, etc.

Check your carb bolts and the gasket holding it on. That may be where your sucking sound is coming from. Also, some engines use crankcase vacuum to pump fuel and there is a vent from the crankcase to the back of the fuel pump.

SHF

qwerty15 · Aug 5, 2002

Re: Refreshing Kohler

I still cant find that leak.

StoneHeartFarm · Aug 5, 2002

Re: Refreshing Kohler

If you have a stethoscope, even a cheap one, run the engine and move the stethoscope over (it doesn't have to touch the engine, just get close). Or, you could use a small piece of flexible plastic tubing. It allows you to hear only what is directly in front of the pick up end of the stethoscope or tubing. By moving the device back and forth across the engine, you can pin point the leak, or at least get a real good idea of what part of the engine it is coming from.

SHF

qwerty15 · Aug 6, 2002

Re: Refreshing Kohler

I can hear it on the flywheel side of the engine. The flywheel/blower has a fin broken off because i dropped it. Could that be the problem? It sounds like its the bottom of the engine like the oil pan gasket.

kubmech · Aug 6, 2002

Re: Refreshing Kohler

Could also be the crankshaft seal on the flywheel side.

qwerty15 · Aug 6, 2002

Re: Refreshing Kohler

Can that be replaced without it being taken apart. I used the tractor today to pull down a tree trunk. engine is strong but that leak is still there. Kubmech how was your vacation if thats what it was.

kubmech · Aug 7, 2002

Re: Refreshing Kohler

15 states in 7 days, 5 states in one day, with a somewhat uncooperative "Herk" ( C-130 Hercules). Was definitley no vacation, even though we somehow managed to have fun after the work was done, but thanks for asking.
Just depends on how the engine is mounted to your tractor. Some you can pull the flywheel to replace the seal without pulling the engine. Most of the tractors I can think of require pulling the engine though. Once the flywheel is off you can replace the seal. Just be careful not to scratch the crank sealing surface. Pack the inside of the new seal with grease real good to aid in retaining the spring that applies tension to the lip seal when re-installing.
By the way, glad to see you got that valve tap straightened out. Oh the joy of small engine valve adjustments. Don't get discouraged though, I have seen these little engines humble more than a few guys.

qwerty15 · Aug 7, 2002

Re: Refreshing Kohler

Ok im going to go take that seal out today and hopefully that will solve the problem. My patience has gotten better from working on this little engine. I was ready to just go and buy a new engine because i was getting so frustrated with the valve tap. Im glad i didnt. I have to go find my manual to see how to do this. Later on i willpost the outcome.

qwerty15 · Aug 7, 2002

Re: Refreshing Kohler

replaced the seal and broke a bolt on the bearing plate. Easy out was unsucessful so i put the flywheel back on and still got the noise.

StoneHeartFarm · Aug 7, 2002

Re: Refreshing Kohler

Patience, guy, patience. There's probably very few of us that can do something like this without at least some problems. I've torn the same engine back apart half a dozen times because I suddenly realized that something was in backwards.

Besides, if it was all done and perfect, you wouldn't have the fun of messing with it. /w3tcompact/icons/eyes.gif

SHF

qwerty15 · Aug 16, 2002

Re: Refreshing Kohler

Well i did the hose thing to listen where the sound is coming from and it sounds like its the oil pan gasket. When i replaced the crankshaft seal i noticed the gasket was leaking so i think i ripped it during instalation. I plan on fixing it during the first oil change i hope. Before that i pulled the cylinder head off and the exhaust vlavle had an orange dust on it. I blew it off. There was also a black goo around the top of the cylinder. it wasnt dry like carbon but sticky almost like gum. I still need to make carb adjustments. Will that solve the problem.

qwerty15 · Aug 18, 2002

Re: Refreshing Kohler

Well i drained the oil and i loosened up the oil pan bolts. Then i raised the block a little bit and found that the new gasket wasnt torn or folded as i thought. I forgot to scrape a part of the old gasket off the bottom of the block. I took an old putty knife and removed it. I bolted the oil pan back down and hoped it sealed. I also was able to get out the bolt i broke. That took 45 minutes. After that i added the 2 quarts of oil and made sure there was no oil on the frame to drip on the floor so i could tell if it leaked over night. This morning i took it out of the garage and fired it up. I also look to see it it leaked last night. Not a single drop. The noise was also gone. I have to adjust the carb more and it should be running great soon. Those pepperpot mufflers are garbage but it does have a nice sound.

StoneHeartFarm · Aug 19, 2002

Re: Refreshing Kohler

Good. I told you you just had to have patience. /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif You solved the problem all on your own.

The goop in the cylinder may just be the leavings from the rings setting. Kubmech could probably tell you more about it.

SHF

qwerty15 · Aug 21, 2002

Re: Refreshing Kohler

i didnt think anyone was going to chime in. Ive got 2 more hours on it from grading some dirt.

qwerty15 · Aug 22, 2002

Re: Refreshing Kohler

While grading some dirt yesterday i heard tapping again and found out i have an exhaust leak so i will go and tinker with that for the day.

StoneHeartFarm · Aug 29, 2002

Re: Refreshing Kohler

I'm here, just had a lot going on and I'm only getting to log on a couple of times a week.

Looks like you're just working through all the little problems that come with a job like this. The important thing is that you keep working on it. Nothing is perfect the first time, but with repeated little adjustments and repairs, you'll get it as close to perfect as anyone can.

SHF