23HP B&S Head Gasket Problems?

[MBDiagMan]

I bought a Z-Force 48 last Fall. I love it, but it is using quite a lot of oil. I called my dealer this morning and described my situation.

They told me that they have had a head gasket problem with some of these engines allowing oil to seep through into the combustion chamber. I will take it in and leave it with them.

Has anyone experienced this?

Thanks for your replies,
Doc

[gamble77]

Oh yeah, those motors always gave those kind of problems, thats why the '05 units have Kohlers.

[MBDiagMan]

Gamble,

Are they able to repair it properly so that the problem won't reoccur?

Thanks very much for your feedback,
Doc

[TRD]

I'm thinking like gamble77, at least I think he's thinking like I am. By the way I don't think very often, and when I do think, I'm wrong [img]/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img]most of the time. But anyway in my opinion I think that the Kohler is the better of the two engines. JUST MY OPINION!!

[gamble77]

They can repair it, but to my knowledge there is no "update" kit for the motors. We just seal them up REAL good so they won't leak anymore.

[Spiffy]

If B&S doesn't have a new and improved head gasket [or another solution]; which I'd say they owe you anyway [well under warranty yet isn't it?] there are other options:

There's a very high temp/high pressure gasket material [like the Permatex silicone, but I think a different brand], that you can apply right around your oil ports on each side before installing the gasket. I know at least one tractor dealership uses it in similar situations. The downsides are:

1. I can't think of the proper product [I have been very happy with silicone on a certain intake manifold]
2. You need to be careful not to get globs that could go roque and contaminate your oil.

Also, some head gaskets respond well [others negatatively] to about 25%-50% additional torque - to a new one not the exisiting. The negative here is that you'll say many curses, then need to beg, borrow, or steel a heli-coil set if you strip the threads.

I really don't think you should have to regret having the B&S; but they deffinitley owe you a solution without too much BS. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif[/img]

[Spiffy]

Could go "old school" and try painting the head gasket with aluminum paint on each side, assemble almost dry. Never tried it myself though. Also, even if it doesn't quite make temp, you could try the hi-temp silicone.

Looks like at least Gamble's dealership already uses some of the "old mechanics" fixes; maybe your dealer will has a good solution too. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[MBDiagMan]

Thanks for all the responses.

I will take it to the dealer and give them a shot at it. If it breaks again after warranty I will seal it up somehow. Although I'm not a small engine guy, I am an ASE Master so I think I can come up with something that will work if I end up ultimately having to do it myself.

It's just disappointing to have to worry with this. it is 50 miles to my dealer and I don't know how good they are with such issues.

Except for this problem I love this engine. It's quiet, smooth and powerful and for it's size it's pretty stingy on fuel.

I'll keep you all posted. I guess I'll be mowing on my old 2145 for awhile.

Thanks again,
Doc

[Egon]

Could it possibly the maching on the head and block being the cause for the head gasket failure or perhaps improper torquing warping the head?

Egon

[MBDiagMan]

Well, this is the outcome from the dealer trip. I hauled it over there last Friday and left it. When I called back they said that the problem was a "crudded up" crankcase breather.

This is disappointing. Either this is really not the problem with it using so much oil or if it is how did it get plugged up?

The unit only has 12.1 hours on it. I changed the oil and filter at 5 hours or so. Will I have to replace this crankcase breather every 10 hours or less?

They also said that I could not service this part, that it is dealer service only. In a pigs eye. If they can change it, I can figure out how to change it, but I would like a hint about where to look for it.

I talked to them about trading for an M48K. They have one in stock, but wanted to give me less than half what I paid for my mower against list price of the M48.

It wasn't a good day, but if I'm lucky, crankcase breather was indeed the problem and a fluke. If it was indeed the problem it's hard to imagine how it won't get "crudded up" again soon.

Thanks for any feedback about the crankcase breather or the Intek oil usage situation in general.

Thanks again,
Doc