Cub Cadet / Kohler -> not so good

[savageactor7]

^Well that's good to know Bob I'll have to give that some thought.

 

[JSharp]

as far as backfire issues, you need to shut the engine off with throttle at 2/3rds open or higher, here's why:
The electric solenoid on the carb shuts the main jet when turned off, but not the idle circuit as you might know. So..... with the throttle butterfly at or near wide open, insufficent vacuum is present to draw in fuel from the idle circuit and the solenoid closes the main jet. This means no fuel to the engine and no backfire.
If this is not followed and you idle the engine expect a backfire as you are not following Kohler's procedure for all engines which have a carb solenoid. Older engines did not have this and idling WAS the proper procedure on these. Practically all new engines use the carb solenoid and with any brand the advice is the same, 2/3 rds or higher throttle at shutdown.

Backfire may cause a head gasket to fail as well, have seen this quite often.

Now on the valve seat issue, my take: Typically this happens when a lean condition or lack of cooling is present. Take sure the intake manifold gasket or o-ring was in place and intact. If not that would constitute an assembly defect, plain and simple. Seen a few of these leave the factory with intake leaks and one cylinder running lean. Check the intake manifold for leakage also. It happens. If that was the case you have a means to ask the factory for assistance. Take it to them directly or ask an "area service rep" from their distributor to intervene, they have the power to help you as the "eyes and ears" of Kohler at the location. I know.

Good post but I expect it will be ignored.

I'm consistently amazed by people who refuse to learn proper operation techniques and who clearly don't understand how things work - but complain loudly when they have unusual failures... <shrug>

 

[JTKub]

Good post but I expect it will be ignored.

I'm consistently amazed by people who refuse to learn proper operation techniques and who clearly don't understand how things work - but complain loudly when they have unusual failures... <shrug>

+1 to that JS.

 

[coldpike]

Just want to say thanks to TENet for the original post. I too was "sold" on the Command engine so I bought an LT1050 from a dealer. After four years the engine blew up. So thanks to all those who posted feedback on where to find a Honda replacement. Never again will I buy something with a Kohler.

Thanks TENet!

 

[mich1925]

tenet -

I have to agree with LBrown, it appears you got a lemon. The Kohler command is a proven engine that's been around for awhile with a good rep. I've owned them for several years/wseveral hundreds of hours and always been happy with them. I've had many more problems with the briggs vanguards I owned.

I'm assuming you're out of the warranty period, or bought it used??
I guess I would be upset if I had all the problems you had and then it lasted for only 135 hours. I'd say you probably wrote this thread shortly after the incident...
You're certainly entitled to your opinions and grudges but warning people off (or bashing) a whole line of engines because of 1 faulty one is not reasonable advice.
I'm sorry for your bad experience and wish you better luck in the future!

He may have a lemon but I think there are too many with such lemons. Just read online about the problems people have with the "command" engines. My brother has replaced the head gaskets 3 times in the last 9 years and is now having problems with "no power" after paying around 7000 for a "commercial" cub cadet (the Tank model).

 

[jakell2010]

What it comes down to is that this company called cub cadet has SERIOUS QC issues and it knows it,,,,look at the 5000 series and the 7000series and the 2500 series,,,,all with repeated QC issues and design flaws. The 2 nd best day of my life was when I traded my 2007 5264d for a Kubota

 

[VinceSMTA]

What it comes down to is that this company called cub cadet has SERIOUS QC issues and it knows it,,,,look at the 5000 series and the 7000series and the 2500 series,,,,all with repeated QC issues and design flaws. The 2 nd best day of my life was when I traded my 2007 5264d for a Kubota

And the third best was when that Kubota was traded for a new Cub Yanmar! Actually, I do like the Kubota tractors as well. Came down to dealer for me.

 

[scoutcub]

And the third best was when that Kubota was traded for a new Cub Yanmar!

:laughing::laughing: What a blasphemous statement.......:laughing::laughing:

 

[VinceSMTA]

You are correct scout... what I should have said was his best day of his life would be trading for a CCY. Not sure what I was thinking...must be allergies!