Kohler Engine Life

[catsco]

I've been attempting to discover the MTBF (mean time between failure) rate for the Kohler 25 HP in my PT-425.

Kohler customer service said to call the local repair shop, and the local place had no idea. They suggested calling Kohler. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

I now have 385 Hrs. on the machine, and am wondering when I should start saving up for the new short block.

On our farm we have decades old Kohlers that still run fine, but I've seen people have failures with newer ones at 2,000 hours.

I'd expect about 10,000 hours. Obviously, type of oil, maintenance invervals, etc. have a huge effect, but I'm looking for a general idea similar to automobiles, where most engines can operate for 100,000 to 150,000 miles before major wear is a problem.

Any numbers from out there?

Mark H.

 

[catsco]

I've been attempting to discover the MTBF (mean time between failure) rate for the Kohler 25 HP in my PT-425.

Kohler customer service said to call the local repair shop, and the local place had no idea. They suggested calling Kohler. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

I now have 385 Hrs. on the machine, and am wondering when I should start saving up for the new short block.

On our farm we have decades old Kohlers that still run fine, but I've seen people have failures with newer ones at 2,000 hours.

I'd expect about 10,000 hours. Obviously, type of oil, maintenance invervals, etc. have a huge effect, but I'm looking for a general idea similar to automobiles, where most engines can operate for 100,000 to 150,000 miles before major wear is a problem.

Any numbers from out there?

Mark H.

 

[mwood]

I assume you mean when with the block itself fail, not when you'll have to re-build.

I would expect your 25 HP Kohler to go around 1200 - 1600 hours before it needs a rebuild (rings, piston, etc.). After that, you'd probably be good for another 1200 - 1600 hours.

This is really just a guess. I'm more familiar with the good old Cast Iron Kohler K series engines. With good maintenance and a rebuild here and there, you'll be able to hit 5000+ hours easy on one of them. In general, around 1000 - 1500 hours between rebuilds on the K series.

Just my $0.02.

 

[mwood]

I assume you mean when with the block itself fail, not when you'll have to re-build.

I would expect your 25 HP Kohler to go around 1200 - 1600 hours before it needs a rebuild (rings, piston, etc.). After that, you'd probably be good for another 1200 - 1600 hours.

This is really just a guess. I'm more familiar with the good old Cast Iron Kohler K series engines. With good maintenance and a rebuild here and there, you'll be able to hit 5000+ hours easy on one of them. In general, around 1000 - 1500 hours between rebuilds on the K series.

Just my $0.02.

 

[KentT]

Al Eden, a Simplicity dealer that I've met and trust implicitly says the MBTF on the Kohler Command is well over 2,000 hours. He manufactures and sells "repower kits" based on them that he tests to Kohler and OEM specs in dyno runs, heat tests, etc. Simplicity and Kohler use/recommend his kits for warrantly replacement. Kohler replaced some of their now-discontinued Triad OHC engines with his kits under warranty.

http://www.repowereng.com/repowereng/products.htm

I asked him about them before I bought my used PT-425 with 250 hours on it. He basically said it would likely outlast me, if I keep it maintained.

As anecdotal evidence, my brother replaced the CH-25 on his Woodmizer sawmill -- at a littlle over 3800 hours...

Keeping it cool is key, so don't lug the engine by using it at too low a throttle setting. Air-cooled engines must run fast to cool -- which is counter-intuitive...

 

[KentT]

Al Eden, a Simplicity dealer that I've met and trust implicitly says the MBTF on the Kohler Command is well over 2,000 hours. He manufactures and sells "repower kits" based on them that he tests to Kohler and OEM specs in dyno runs, heat tests, etc. Simplicity and Kohler use/recommend his kits for warrantly replacement. Kohler replaced some of their now-discontinued Triad OHC engines with his kits under warranty.

http://www.repowereng.com/repowereng/products.htm

I asked him about them before I bought my used PT-425 with 250 hours on it. He basically said it would likely outlast me, if I keep it maintained.

As anecdotal evidence, my brother replaced the CH-25 on his Woodmizer sawmill -- at a littlle over 3800 hours...

Keeping it cool is key, so don't lug the engine by using it at too low a throttle setting. Air-cooled engines must run fast to cool -- which is counter-intuitive...