chuckpen
New member
thanks. I'll order up the kits and see where it goes.
Kohler Command Valve stem seals
- Thread starter monster318
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Stimw
Elite Member
Exhaust valves don't need seals because the exhaust chamber is under pressure when running.
Intake chamber is under a vacuum when running and can pull oil past the valve stem.
Need to check crank case vent, some have simple check valve that might be not working properly pressurizing crankcase forcing oil past rings.
Intake chamber is under a vacuum when running and can pull oil past the valve stem.
Need to check crank case vent, some have simple check valve that might be not working properly pressurizing crankcase forcing oil past rings.
RandyT
Elite Member
Check the breather reed valve in the head for cracks or warpage. they have been known to do both on the the Command engines. If looking at the carb end of the engine it should be located in the head on your left. Normally will have a breather assembly mounted above the valve cover.
chuckpen
New member
Bit of an update:
Right side breather is clear. I do smell gas in the oil.
Right side breather is clear. I do smell gas in the oil.
The plot thins. Sounds likely there is a carb issue then. Especially as it has been sitting. Can you confirm extra fuel is entering the engine with the air filter off? Float valve, accelerator pump if equipped are better guesses. Fuel pumps can also leak into the crankcase, check via the pulse line. Fuel will enter the crankcase should only 1 cylinder be running as well.
In regards to the breather system. The reeds are in the block behind the head. On occasion one will be bad. The breather itself is maze below the carb on the front of the block. That seal has been updated ~ 4 times since the engine was built for leakage. The canister on the valve cover is a separator for the breather system.
In regards to the breather system. The reeds are in the block behind the head. On occasion one will be bad. The breather itself is maze below the carb on the front of the block. That seal has been updated ~ 4 times since the engine was built for leakage. The canister on the valve cover is a separator for the breather system.
chuckpen
New member
Status update:
Ordered a new fuel pump, head gasket kits and valve seals. I have not tested vacuum on the crankcase as of yet to test the breather but that will be done before tear-down. Hopefully I'm not missing anything on my evaluation with all the help provided by everyone. Found the best pricing on eBay from a Kohler authorized reseller. $22 for head kit, about $6 for valve seals, free shipping, no tax. Ordered the fuel pump off Amazon to get it quick as I think ethanol probably toasted the fuel pump by sitting for those years soaking in gas. A guess but a 13 year old fuel pump cant be that good.
Ordered a new fuel pump, head gasket kits and valve seals. I have not tested vacuum on the crankcase as of yet to test the breather but that will be done before tear-down. Hopefully I'm not missing anything on my evaluation with all the help provided by everyone. Found the best pricing on eBay from a Kohler authorized reseller. $22 for head kit, about $6 for valve seals, free shipping, no tax. Ordered the fuel pump off Amazon to get it quick as I think ethanol probably toasted the fuel pump by sitting for those years soaking in gas. A guess but a 13 year old fuel pump cant be that good.
So hopefully you read out of this discussion that you may not need to pull the cylinder heads at this time. The thinning of the oil from the fuel will cause excess smoking and the cause of such needs to be determined.
chuckpen
New member
Well, yes, I was lazy this winter but Spring has arrived and now I need my tractor. I have an update on my oil burning / gas in oil problem with my Kohler Command 23. First thanks for all the guidance on this type of issue.
As I mentioned before, I had ordered a fuel pump, 2 head gasket kits and 2 intake valve seals.
After pulling the spark plugs all became clear, yes I know, why not do that before ordering parts. I will keep learning.
Anyway, left side plug was oil fouled and doubt it would even spark. Other side was perfect color, so pulled that one head and found oil/gas in the cylinder. Pretty surprised to see that. The head gasket looked fine, the valve seal looked "ok" and the valve seats seemed fine by testing with liquid carb cleaner and no leaks / seeping going past the valves. Cylinder walls still showed factory cross-hatching and looked fine. The head gasket also looked ok, so I was scratching my head thinking I was missing something. Also pulled apart the carb to clean and found the fuel shutoff solenoid was stuck. long story short; cleaned the carb and put back together, passed the head over a flat stone with some abrasive to clean, smooth up check for flatness. Replaced the intake valve seal, new head gasket with new washers and nuts, cleaned up the e3 plug and put it back together. Well, that has seemed to fix everything. Plug burn looks good, tractor was used for 4 hours after finishing up the rebuild and no smoking / oil burning to date. thanks again all!
So my assessment is:
bad head gasket or valve seal caused severe fouling in one cylinder.
gasoline went unburned and was able to find a way down to the crankcase oil.
condition of oil deteriorated to point where I started to burn the thinned oil.
As I mentioned before, I had ordered a fuel pump, 2 head gasket kits and 2 intake valve seals.
After pulling the spark plugs all became clear, yes I know, why not do that before ordering parts. I will keep learning.
Anyway, left side plug was oil fouled and doubt it would even spark. Other side was perfect color, so pulled that one head and found oil/gas in the cylinder. Pretty surprised to see that. The head gasket looked fine, the valve seal looked "ok" and the valve seats seemed fine by testing with liquid carb cleaner and no leaks / seeping going past the valves. Cylinder walls still showed factory cross-hatching and looked fine. The head gasket also looked ok, so I was scratching my head thinking I was missing something. Also pulled apart the carb to clean and found the fuel shutoff solenoid was stuck. long story short; cleaned the carb and put back together, passed the head over a flat stone with some abrasive to clean, smooth up check for flatness. Replaced the intake valve seal, new head gasket with new washers and nuts, cleaned up the e3 plug and put it back together. Well, that has seemed to fix everything. Plug burn looks good, tractor was used for 4 hours after finishing up the rebuild and no smoking / oil burning to date. thanks again all!
So my assessment is:
bad head gasket or valve seal caused severe fouling in one cylinder.
gasoline went unburned and was able to find a way down to the crankcase oil.
condition of oil deteriorated to point where I started to burn the thinned oil.