Kohler V twin engine Life

[GTSRider]

I have a 3000 series with the Kohler 20hp V-twin engine.
How long can these engines last with good maintenance ?
Engine had 400 hrs. when I got it, and I put 55 on it in 3 months.
It uses about 3 oz. every 3-4 hr's .... is this about normal ?
Pete

 

[JTKub]

I've seen them with over 2000hrs on them and still running strong. Mine don't use 3-4oz in a year/~30hrs, but oil consumption can depend on how it's used and how hot the ambient temps.

Joel

 

[ToadHill]

It depends if it's a Kohler command or courage model. I understand the Command lasts about twice as long as the command.

 

[MFRED]

It depends if it's a Kohler command or courage model. I understand the Command lasts about twice as long as the command.

Hey, you're not making any sense.

 

[GTSRider]

Hey....now I'm more confused as ever.
I have the Command 20 hp ....she runs strong.... but I do run it ALWAYS
at full throttle, up hills for 3 hrs straight.....and in the summer hood gets
so hot I can not touch it.
Pete

 

[JTKub]

Pete, does it get super hot where you live? Regardless of Kohler's 10w30 spec, I always run 15w40 heavy-duty engine oil in my small air cooled stuff. It will take the heat much better than a regular passenger car 10w30 will and will burn-off less, if not stop the consumption all together. If your scared about extreme cold winter time starting, synthetic 5w40 heavy-duty oil flows better cold than a regular 5w30 does.

In regards to the above statement, the Command series engine is Kohler's "premium / commercial" line, where the Courage is typically "residential grade". I've got a Courage Pro series V-twin on my Z-Force. The only major hardware difference between it and a Command twin is my Courage requires manual valve lash adjustments as opposed to the Command's maint free hydraulic valve lash adjusters. The Courage single cyl are a different bird all together.

Joel

 

[GTSRider]

Hi Joel ...yes it does get hot here.... plus I mow 3 acres of hilly terrain,
and the oil suggestion is a good one.
I have been thinking of using Shell Rotella 15 /40.
The 10/30 oil is a Tractor Supply oil sold by the gallon.... but I feel the Rotella
will be far superior.
Thanks for your input.
Pete

 

[gauthier]

Go to just plain 30 weight,thats what I use in all of mine,,bet you won't use as much or any oil.

 

[RandyT]

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.

 

[gauthier]

Well,I only mow grass in warmer temps,50 plus,,,,,but,don't think any thing will happen to your motor if you use 30 weight at 45 degrees.

 

[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.