Kohler Engine is a Nightmare

[Ben Cut-wright]

It seems counter intuitive I know, but there are manufactures' recommendations that instruct shutting these engines down with the "throttle off idle".  Half open throttle or more does the trick.  Open throttle prevents the higher throttle vacuum of the closed throttle, also allows enough additional air to lean the un-burned mixture to a less explosive point. Even though the fuel-cut solenoid is operating correctly, the higher closed throttle vacuum can pull enough fuel to create a noisy backfire.  There is also some danger of head gasket or muffler damage from severe backfires.  (Open throttle ignition cut) does eliminate these backfires in my experience. 

[Kbeitz]

Guessing that every engine is different...

[SlowJoeCrow]

At times my Onan engine back fires when I shut it down. Scares the pith out of customers standing by. Is there a way to shut it down so it doesn't back fire?

Jim Rogers

Yes, but see if you can get it to scare the pith right out of the logs you are sawing!! :D :D

[customcutter01]

Just to let you know.  Everytime my mowers would backfire like that, (kawasaki or kohler) it would blow the inner filters. 

[POSTON WIDEHEAD]

I am making progress on my Kohler. A lot of people are responding. Details later.....don't want to jinx things. 

[Magicman]

I see a Happy Thanksgiving in your future.   

[starmac]

Do goats do turkey, just asking. lol

[POSTON WIDEHEAD]

Do goats do turkey, just asking. lol

No but we love Cranberries!  :D :D :D :D

[Magicman]

If dat engine gets fixed duh Goat will be ah doin' da Turkey Trot.   smiley_turkey_dancing

[Randy88]

Kohler engines also have small crankshaft bearings which cause bearing failures when you side load the engine with belts under tension.     We quit buying Kohler engines a few years back, the last one was on my miller welder/generator and been a nightmare from day one, still is.   

If a diesel was only 4k to upgrade, why did you buy a kohler gas??   With any amount of hours of use, the fuel savings alone would pay the difference, toss in repairs and downtime and a diesel is always the best option unless you put very few hours on it each year or plan to trade every year or so. 

With the exception of Kohler engines, we're had great luck with engines that have electronic fuel injection verses carb's, saves carb icing, start better, seem to cause less issues overall with starting and stopping and the list is endless, as for kohler and their issues, I'll pass, even my local kohler dealer won't sell them anymore, will do his best to talk anyone out of buying them and into a Honda or Brigg's instead.         

[starmac]

This is the very first time I have heard of bearing troubles with the kohlers, in fact hearing of any troubles is somewhat rare compared to how many are out there and in use.
I will eventually replace the onan on mine and will likely go with woodmizers kohler kit IF it can be had with a carbed engine. I understand the advantages efi has, but something can be said for simple too.

[POSTON WIDEHEAD]

   

If a diesel was only 4k to upgrade, why did you buy a kohler gas??   

     

When you have a bandmill its not as easy and calling up and saying send me a diesel.
You have to consider the extra weight depending on the mill you have.
I could get a new Kohler the same size and install it.
Upgradeing to a diesel would be to heavy for the LT40 up and down works......said Woodmizer.
As far as I know Kohler 29 (26) is the highest HP engine I can have.

[customcutter01]

This is the very first time I have heard of bearing troubles with the kohlers, in fact hearing of any troubles is somewhat rare compared to how many are out there and in use.
I will eventually replace the onan on mine and will likely go with woodmizers kohler kit IF it can be had with a carbed engine. I understand the advantages efi has, but something can be said for simple too.

I was doing a search last night on warranty issues and saw where a Kohler 28 HP engine (if I remember correctly), snapped the cranshaft off right in front of the front bearing.  It only had 900+ hours on it.   I had thought that the Perk-a-Pillar engines were the only ones needing the crankshaft support system.

[MartyParsons]

Hello,
  We have put the 38 hp gas Fuel Injection engines on as a replacement for the 28, 29, 26 hp Kohler engines on the LT40HD. It is not a direct bolt on. You will go from a 2 BX belt to a 3 BX belt. You will need to replace the driven pulley. You will also need a larger circuit breaker for up down because of the extra weight. If your up down motor is worn or weak you will know pretty quickly. The drive belt and all other parts come with the kit even a new alternator. The pulley and the bushing will not be in the kit. Comes with belt tension tool. DR_Buck we changed his 25 hp to the 38 hp FI this year.
We have lots of Kohler engines go through our shop. I see very few issues. I have seen crank shafts break. Two this year. Both were from the drive belt being over tightened. One fuel pump from ethanol and sitting for 3 years sitting in a barn. One muffler issue, related to a o2 sensor issue, no codes just black smoke.
Hope this helps.
Marty

[POSTON WIDEHEAD]

Good information Marty. Thanks.

[starmac]

Wow, I doubt if my old mill would handle the 38, but if it did, I bet it would be a whole different animal.  When I upgrade motors it will not be with an EFI engine, so I hope their smaller motors will still be available with an old outdated carb.

[Peter Drouin]

Maybe you could use a trailer to give the Kohler a one way ride a-- way.
Why do you  smiley_deadheader alligator your self like that? ;D

[YellowHammer]

Maybe you could use a trailer to give the Kohler a one way ride a-- way.
Why do you  smiley_deadheader alligator your self like that? ;D

Replace it.  Boot it!  Throw it in the river!  Send it to your worst enemy!  Make a flower pot out of it.  Write a check and pay da man.  Get a new Kohler, get a diesel, but get it off your mill. 

I hope I'm not coming across as being indecisive in this.   

[Peter Drouin]

I hope I'm not coming across as being indecisive in this.   

:D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D
Goats have a hard head.  :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D ;D

[MartyParsons]

Hello
   Poston!
      Found your new engine.




 

Hope this helps!

[Chop Shop]

But hey, EFI should be embraced as the way of the future!  Its awesome!   (in my sarcastic voice)   :D

[POSTON WIDEHEAD]

I have a brand new ECU and a TPS coming this week.

Stand by for update and when its time I will let it roll!

Right now I'm just TPS. ( To Pooped to Swear ).



*** Thanks Marty...is that the engine out of your truck?  ;D ***

*** Yellow Hammer....I have blocked you. ***  :D

Hopefully it will be fixed this week. My yard is starting to look like:

Customsawyer Jake is on vacation.
Like Peter is at a Grits Conference.
Like Magicman just pulled up on a job.
Like Danny waiting on a new arm guide.
Like Jeff's land after a wind storm.

I mean its piling up!


 

[Magicman]

Now that is funny right there I don't care who you are!!!    :D

[YellowHammer]

Now that is funny right there I don't care who you are!!!    :D

[Peter Drouin]

Grits, Grits, Where are the Grits. :D :D  ;D

Nice log pile.