Serious flaw with Kohler engines in new Lincoln and Miller welders...

[weldermike]

WOW! Thanks for all the info arcweld, and shield atc thanks for the tip off bud. I will definately keep tabs on that. Ive already overfilled mine by accident, but I keep tabs on the oil and havent burned a drop yet. From now on shes only getting 8gal a fill up from near empty and ill take cans with me when needed. Thanks guys!

 

[Shield Arc]

I thought you might want to read this thread Mike. Old Arc weld is extremely knowledgeable with welding, and welding equipment, a real asset to this forum!:cool2:

 

[check]

Well, this is all very informative. I have a cooler standby generator with the Kohler engine, and I was wondering why it uses so much oil. It is fed by a propane tank, so obviously overfilling is not an issue, but maybe the propane can somehow cause the same problem?

 

[check]

Well, this is all very informative. I have a cooler standby generator with the Kohler engine, and I was wondering why it uses so much will. He is fed by a propane tank, so obviously over feeling is not an issue, but maybe the propane can somehow caused the same problem?

Sorry, I meant Kohler, not cooler

 

[Industrial Toys]

As a kid, some of my funnest memories come from melting lead wheel weights on the kitchen stove and making various castings. My Dad saw what I was doing and found a whole bunch at work. Hey, as long as my activities didn't cost anything.

And, I'm here to say that the brain damage is minor and over stated!

 

[Mark @ Everlast]

If you think about it, the and practically unusable gas cans you buy are designed to contain the vapor and won't release it. Same goes for any fuel tank these days with vapor recovery direct into the carburetor. They'd rather the tank blow than release some gas fumes into the air. Here, where I live in South GA, the tanks get so over expanded, especially with a less full tank that they look like they will split in two...and when a cold wave hits, the suck down until the sides are touching in the middle. All is for naught though when you open the tank to pour the gas in...as the vapor goes "poof" into the air. Nothing a small hole with an ice pick won't fix though.

 

[CNC Dan]

That's what I was thinking. First thing is find/make a vented cap. Next plug/block vent the tube that goes to the carb. Wait, back up, reverse that.

 

[Arc weld]

I guess I'm old now.:shocked:Thanks for the compliment(I think) Shield Arc Now I got an excuse to be :grumpy:

I looked at the sticker on the TB 325 again today and it just says "Notice... Overfilling may cause carb, flooding." No mention anywhere that engine damage could result. Looking through the louvers at the back I could see there is a small hose and some kind of valve going into the top of the gas tank. According to the Lincoln 305G manual, the fuel level should stay in the bottom tank and not come up the fill tube at all. That's a long way down. How stupid is it that you can't fill them up with an automatic nozzle.:confused2:

 

[DXN1EL]

Well as a Pro landscaper

I top the tanks on the equipment (even if the manual tell not to) and I am talking about Kawasaki, Kholer with carb and with out carb. Kubota gasssers and Diesels. CAT (aka ShivaPerkApillar:laughing I love Diesels :cool2:

The Air cooled craps sometimes go to like 3k hours with routine maintenance, but sometimes they crap out in like 20hours :thumbdown:
Diesels can go to like 12k (or that is what I hear, but it all comes down to maintenance)

 

[duwem]

Under the new EPA carb regs, all units have to have a vapor recovery, some will also have a charcoal canister (the old coffee can) Over filling could result in either raw fuel or the charcoal becoming contaminated with raw fuel which will damage the canister. Depending on where the vapor line is connected to the tank, I guess could result in getting fuel drawn into the carb through the low vacuum line, or damaging the charcoal canister, which would act like a clogged fuel cap ( be aware that the new systems do not have vented caps). The other thing is most small engine makers consider 1 ounces of oil usage per hour is considered normal.

Command engines are designed for about 2000 hours. Some will go longer some will go shorter. In defense of the engine and welder makers, this system is so new they haven't figured out all the bugs yet. Vapor recovery went into effect in 2011, and went into full effect this year. I am sure I will hear about this problem at my Kohler update in two weeks. If not I will mention it at the update school.

This is correct. The vapor recovery is also on other power equipement like lawn mowers, generators etc. Important not to overfill and maintain a "vapor dome" in the tank between the raw fuel and the vent port that runs to the engine's intake system or carbon canister.