18hp kohler oil issues

old cadets · Sep 19, 2006

Hi first let me say hello to everyone I just found the forum I have 4 cub cadets I just purchased a 1863 with a 54 inch cut with a 18 hp kohler I found it to have broken a rocker arm so I replaced it along with the fuel pump and cleaned the fuel tank carb etc. the problem is when I start it up it pumps oil out of the fuel pump screen and out of the front seal I for some reson am suspecting oil preasure to high has anyone else encountered that problem it has very little blowby?

OhioGuy · Sep 19, 2006

Any chance you reversed the connections on the fuel pump.
That will pump fuel into the crankcase, I think?

Curt

Fordlords · Sep 20, 2006

Did you find all of the pieces of the rocker arm that was broken? It is possible a piece of it has become lodged in an oil passage causing oil to back up at the oil pump.

-Fordlords-

TractorLarry · Sep 20, 2006

That's a pulse pump and works on either vaccum or pressure from the crankcase.

Are you sure the hoses are connected properly?

My other idea would be the crankcase being overfilled, which I understand is a really, really bad thing for these engines.

I have an 1864 (only difference I know of is the power steering). I can take a snapshot of the hose routings if you need.

-Larry

old cadets said:
Hi first let me say hello to everyone I just found the forum I have 4 cub cadets I just purchased a 1863 with a 54 inch cut with a 18 hp kohler I found it to have broken a rocker arm so I replaced it along with the fuel pump and cleaned the fuel tank carb etc. the problem is when I start it up it pumps oil out of the fuel pump screen and out of the front seal I for some reson am suspecting oil preasure to high has anyone else encountered that problem it has very little blowby?

old cadets · Sep 20, 2006

no I connected it back properly and think I got all the debris from the rocker arm also I replaced 1 lifter that had calapsed while I had the valve cover off also while I was in it I noticed that the other lifter was missing the little retaining ring on top but did not have another lifter to replace it with could that be the problem?

TractorLarry · Sep 20, 2006

Yep, I think so.

That valve may not be opening, and it may be causing excessive crankcase pressure causing the oil to be blown out through the line going to the pump.

Sounds good on paper at least

If this is the case, I'm not sure it has been very good for that new pump.

You really need to fully address the top-end of things here before trying to fix anything else.

-Larry

old cadets said:
no I connected it back properly and think I got all the debris from the rocker arm also I replaced 1 lifter that had calapsed while I had the valve cover off also while I was in it I noticed that the other lifter was missing the little retaining ring on top but did not have another lifter to replace it with could that be the problem?

Fordlords · Sep 22, 2006

Yes the missing lifter retaining ring could definitely be the problem. The lifters work as small pumps and will fill themselves with a metered amount of oil to keep zero valve lash. With the retainer missing, the lifter is pumping itself up and down and the internal plunger and body do not get into the right positions for the lifter to fill with oil. I would also be curious as to where that missing clip ring is- my guess at the bottom of the crankcase where it could eventually lodge itself between a piston ring and cylinder wall or some other bad spot.

-Fordlords-

old cadets · Sep 23, 2006

Thanks everyone the parts are ordered I am going to change the seal also and if I am thinking wright I will gain access to the bottom end to find the missing retaining ring will let you know thanks again