Kohler 23hp lifter noise

[Fordlords]

Great to hear the dealer took care of all those things to make you happy. I would consider it normal for the valvetrain to have a little rap when cold after the lifters bleed down a little, so you should be OK where they have it. You are one of those guys like me who is picky about everything, but it is the way everyone should be when they spend $3000+ for a lawn tractor, and that the dealer took care of those other issues also is a big plus for them, they obviously want your repeat business.

-Fordlords-

 

[turbojerk]

Great to hear the dealer took care of all those things to make you happy. I would consider it normal for the valvetrain to have a little rap when cold after the lifters bleed down a little, so you should be OK where they have it. You are one of those guys like me who is picky about everything, but it is the way everyone should be when they spend $3000+ for a lawn tractor, and that the dealer took care of those other issues also is a big plus for them, they obviously want your repeat business.

-Fordlords-

Yea, some people may call me ****, but I look at it as getting what I paid for and maintaining my investment to last.....

T

 

[turbojerk]

Well, I hate to say it, but the lifter noise has been on it way back with the last 7-to-8 mowings. It now sounds just like it did before. I'm starting to think that the Kohler motors are crap...or at least the one I have is.....

I don't want to be a pest to the dealer since they have already put new lifters in it, but it didn't fix the problem and I it piss's me off every time I mow the lawn and hear the rap, rap, rap...

Anyone have any suggestions on what I should do now. Like I said it's already been back to the dealer to have the lifters replaced. Is there anyone out there that's mechanically inclined enough to know what a bad valve train sounds like to confirm that my mower has a lifter/bore problem. I know that my Dad's Cub 1865 with the 18hp doesn't sound like mine does and I believe that both his and my 23hp are based on the exact same motor....

I really like this tractor, but I have a hard time believing that the motor sounds just as crappy as the old 18hp B&S that I had in my previous Craftsmen tractor that the Cub replaced it with....

T

 

[JSharp]

A 2554 is a $4000 tractor. You don't have to put up with things like this after spending that much.

Have the dealer come get it and fix it again, as many times as it takes to get it right. They can get their money from MTD or Kohler for the repairs. You already paid your share.

 

[GreenQuality]

TAlk to your dealer,And ask to replace the engine for a new one,or replace the whole tractor for a new one,or ask for a refund!that sounds Fair!

 

[Fordlords]

I have listened to many Kohler Commands, and they do not have any noise that I would describe as lifter rap, so I would take advantage of your warranty and insist that the engine be replaced. Even engines that do not have hydraulic lifters such as Kawasaki and some Hondas, they do not make any valve train noise after a few minutes of warmup. Your engine might have an issue with a defective cam or lifter bores, and even sometimes poorly machined valve guides can cause an OHV engine to be noisey- too much stuff to fart around with on a new engine, it should be considered defective and replaced. The Command is considered a premier engine, so there should be no excuses.

-Fordlords-

 

[turbojerk]

Thanks for all of the input everyone!....

Like I said, I hate to be a pain in the *** about it, but what can ya do....(?)

The only issue that I have is that I have not "personally" heard what the 23hp sound like to compare it to mine other than my dads super quiet, 300+ hour 18hp 1865 Cub. Fordlords, are you reasonably sure that the exhaust is all that you hear on the motors you've heard at Idle and RPM deceleration?

When I asked the dealer he said that it sounded normal to him when it was brought back from having the lifters replaced, but I can hardly believe that this is the sound that these motors make. I mean daum, I can hear the lifter over the exhaust rumble when idling. The 28hp motor that was in my 1554 was quiet and as smooth as silk. I've personally been around machinery and the internal combustion engine since I could walk and I know what a crappy lifter sounds like.

I guess it will be going back as soon as the grass slows down for the year...

Thanks again everyone!!!

Troy

 

[TractorLarry]

I assume you mean 1864 (there was no 1865 that I'm aware of).

If so, this is what I have and I hear no valve noise out of the command 18 it has in it.

-Larry

Thanks for all of the input everyone!....

Like I said, I hate to be a pain in the *** about it, but what can ya do....(?)

The only issue that I have is that I have not "personally" heard what the 23hp sound like to compare it to mine other than my dads super quiet, 300+ hour 18hp 1865 Cub. Fordlords, are you reasonably sure that the exhaust is all that you hear on the motors you've heard at Idle and RPM deceleration?

When I asked the dealer he said that it sounded normal to him when it was brought back from having the lifters replaced, but I can hardly believe that this is the sound that these motors make. I mean daum, I can hear the lifter over the exhaust rumble when idling. The 28hp motor that was in my 1554 was quiet and as smooth as silk. I've personally been around machinery and the internal combustion engine since I could walk and I know what a crappy lifter sounds like.

I guess it will be going back as soon as the grass slows down for the year...

Thanks again everyone!!!

Troy

 

[TractorLarry]

Also, not sure how CC does it, but can you buy an extended warranty from CC if you are still within the warranty year?

If so, might not be a bad idea.

-Larry

Thanks for all of the input everyone!....

Like I said, I hate to be a pain in the *** about it, but what can ya do....(?)

The only issue that I have is that I have not "personally" heard what the 23hp sound like to compare it to mine other than my dads super quiet, 300+ hour 18hp 1865 Cub. Fordlords, are you reasonably sure that the exhaust is all that you hear on the motors you've heard at Idle and RPM deceleration?

When I asked the dealer he said that it sounded normal to him when it was brought back from having the lifters replaced, but I can hardly believe that this is the sound that these motors make. I mean daum, I can hear the lifter over the exhaust rumble when idling. The 28hp motor that was in my 1554 was quiet and as smooth as silk. I've personally been around machinery and the internal combustion engine since I could walk and I know what a crappy lifter sounds like.

I guess it will be going back as soon as the grass slows down for the year...

Thanks again everyone!!!

Troy

 

[Fordlords]

If you walk a few feet away from the tractor with the engine running, you should hear little but exhaust note from a Kohler Command. Ear held above rocker covers with hood open will give the note of the rocker arms moving, a slight clack sound. In other words with a properly operating engine, you should have to make an effort to listen to valve train noise, if it is obvious over the other tones of the engine, there is something wrong.

You have a warranty case with the noise established already, and one repair attempt made that quelled the sound for a while but it has worsened so I think you have a strong case for a new engine to be installed under warranty. Like was said by JSharp it's a $4k tractor, it has not sounded right since day 1, and that warranty is your only legal standing with the machine- take full advantage of it, and get it fixed right or replaced. You are not being a pain at all, you are asking for the machine you paid good money for to operate and sound the way it should.

-Fordlords-