Kohler V twin engine Life

[JTKub]

using straight 30w below 50 degrees can cause the lifters to over pump and hold the valves open causing engine to die and not restart for a few hours while the lifters collapse. Seen mainly on the single cylinder command engines but can occur on the twins also.

I've never once had that problem with my Command twins using 5w or 15w40. I have used them with temps in the 20-40degF range (without any issues what so ever), but they are not used for snow removal.

15w40 is actually recommended by Cub Cadet for my Courage Pro V-twin, but that has lock-nut valve adjustment.

Joel

 

[CJ-8_Jim]

I have a 2004 Kohler Command. At 240 hrs, the rocker arm bolts had loosened-up so much that a intake push rod became disengaged.

The autopsy also revealed:
- The valve dropped onto the piston
- the shattered valve guide shrapnel entered BOTH combustion chambers (i.e., the intake from the other side of the engine sucked some bits of sharpnel into the other head).
- substantial build up of grass BEHIND the cylinder head heat shields.

This is probably a sporadic problem, but I did find posts of others with the same problem I had:
http://www.mytractorforum.com/showpo...0&postcount=12
http://www.mytractorforum.com/showthread.php?t=109071
http://www.lawnsite.com/showpost.php...3&postcount=15

I suspect the rocker arms were either not torqued to spec and/or no Loctite threadlocker was applied to the rocker arm bolts during assembly.

THE GOOD NEWS:
Kohler stood behind their product. On my 6 year old engine with 240 hrs, they sent me no-charge a new short block, new head and new gaskets/bolts. I just had to do the labor to rebuild it and transfer the one remaining good head over.

ALSO.. I removed the cylinder head heat shields on both sides (but retained the blower shields around the flywheel, the top heat shield and muffler heat shield). Now grass doesn't get lodged in the heads' cooling fins.

YOU MIGHT WANT TO: remove the cylinder head side heat shields too and vacuum the grass out.

SEPARATELY, BUT RELATED... On the earlier Commands (late 1990s and very early 2000s) there was a headbolt recall too.


OVERALL, I wouldn't hestitate to buy another Kohler Command engine. These Kohler Commands are stout machines
I'm amazed mine was still powering the tractor even though one cylinders intake & exhaust rocker arm bolts were substantially unscrewed resulting in bad valve timing and very little valve function.

 

[GTSRider]

Jim....thanks for sharing !
Pete

 

[Kernopelli]

I have seen 2000+ hrs on many of the Command engines. I did unfortunately just have a new CH20 shortblock engine that completely disintegrated on me with just a hundred hrs or so. It's a long story but I had bought a JD F680used from an individual that just had his Deere dealer install the shortblock and he was never satisfied with the outcome and out of frustration sold the mower. Like him, I couldn't prove if it was a Kohler issue or dealer issue and didn't pursue it....I just replaced it with a CH 670 spec'ed for a Cub and it runs like a top now.

 

[GTSRider]

Hi...where did you get the engine from ?
Thanks.
Pete

 

[darnitbill]

I need some help
I cracked the block on a 20 hp kohler and would like to change to ether a Briggs 22HP or a two cylinder 22 HP Kohler and get away from the single cylinder. I would like to know if the Briggs or Kohler might have the same foot print and might bolt up to my Simplistic 44 inch zero turn.
I know that I will half to change the fuel lines and cables and wiring harness
my email is william.kerner@sbcglobal.net I need some professional help hear before I buy a new motor that won't fit

 

[Tomtint]

I

I need some help
I cracked the block on a 20 hp kohler and would like to change to ether a Briggs 22HP or a two cylinder 22 HP Kohler and get away from the single cylinder. I would like to know if the Briggs or Kohler might have the same foot print and might bolt up to my Simplistic 44 inch zero turn.
I know that I will half to change the fuel lines and cables and wiring harness
my email is william.kerner@sbcglobal.net I need some professional help hear before I buy a new motor that won't fit

I would look for a Kawisaki if you can.

 

[rcbe]

I need some help
I cracked the block on a 20 hp kohler and would like to change to ether a Briggs 22HP or a two cylinder 22 HP Kohler and get away from the single cylinder. I would like to know if the Briggs or Kohler might have the same foot print and might bolt up to my Simplistic 44 inch zero turn.
I know that I will half to change the fuel lines and cables and wiring harness
my email is william.kerner@sbcglobal.net I need some professional help hear before I buy a new motor that won't fit

s/b a plate/decal on yer busted engine with the full model/type/code/s_n info on it; get that info, go to the kohler small engine website, d/l free copies of documents for same - should find drawings/illustrations of mounting hole patterns and required space envelope dimensions. From that, you can then look at kohler twin 20 or 22 hp engine for possible fit or mebbe other makes. good luck.

 

[4570Man]

I have a 25 hp Kohler Command on the Dixie chopper. It has almost 900 hours and still runs as good as new. I don't think it burns any oil. Before we got the mule I used the mower to pull a small wood trailer in the winter. It also started and ran good in the cold. The Kawasaki motor in the mule is also an great motor, but it starts and runs poorly in the cold. It is usually stored in the heated garage, but if it spends a day outside it is a bear to get started again. The Kohler isn't as lucky and always stays in an unheated&uninsulated garage.

 

[RandyT]

the mounting pattern while be the same as your original engine. The main thing you will need to determine is the crankshaft diameter and length. As you know you will have to make changes to the wiring (maybe) and cables. The main issue will be replacing the exhaust. You will be going from a single manifold coming out the side of the engine to two manifolds coming out the bottom if vertical shaft as I suspect.

The Courage engine has had block breakage issue to various degrees. Between loose top cover mounting bolts, to the bolt that holds the internal counterweight breaking the block. Add in the camshaft issues, and go from there.