Question on oil usage on a # 2185 ?

[nikster]

Twin V-17hp..

I don't know? Is this normal?

Having purchased a # 2185 with 512hrs. on it & using 10/30W oil, I found that after 18hrs. more it burnt 4oz. Of oil.

No drips of any kind.

Is this going to turn into a problem?

Thanks,

NIK,

[jimbob200521]

That's got the 18hp Kohler Command in it, doesn't it?

Have you run a compression test on it to see what that tells you (may be a leaky/blown head gasket pulling oil into the chamber)? As far as oil usage, I've got 2 Commands right now (just passed another along with over 1500 hours on the clock) and none have burn oil. I've had 2 leak behind the PTO so I'd replace the seal, and be good to go again. Maybe take a closer look around the engine and see if oil is leaking out anywhere at such a slow pace you don't notice it. Sounds like a long shot, but never hurts to look closely.

Otherwise, I've heard these engines can be picky about oil. I personally never use multi weight oil during the spring/summer/fall, I stick to Rotella straight 30w (it's actually a diesel oil, less additives in it). In the winter, I may switch over to 5w-30 for the plow tractor, but probably not since I keep the machine in an enclosed garage and want to get a block heater. Anywho, maybe try a different oil, worth a shot.

Edit: With such low hours, I want to believe it's got to be something simple BUT if there is one thing I've learned, it's maintenance is the key to long engine life. So, I have to ask; any idea how the PO maintained it?

[nikster]

Well the gentleman I bought from seemed legit & honest. (?). He just gave up cutting grass at 81yo.. & up front about the ignition coil being bad on the right side.

Head gasket? Hope so? That seems like an easy fix?
So now I'll take off the side panels & have a closer look all over.

Yes, an 18. Fat finger glitch.

Thanks,

Nik,

[jimbob200521]

Originally Posted by nikster

Well the gentleman I bought from seemed legit & honest. (?). He just gave up cutting grass at 81yo.. & up front about the ignition coil being bad on the right side.

Head gasket? Hope so? That seems like an easy fix?
So now I'll take off the side panels & have a closer look all over.

Yes, an 18. Fat finger glitch.

Thanks,

Nik,

I saw you post a while back about replacing the ignition coils, good work. When you had things apart, did you notice if it was very dirty or clogged up with grass/dirt not allowing proper engine and coil cooling? Most of the coils I've seen in the past that have gone bad have gone bad because they were so covered in crud and the cooling fins were blocked off they couldn't cool properly. So, making sure you have a clean and properly breathing engine is key

PS Hopefully, others will chime in with some other suggestions

Edit: Head gaskets are an "easy" fix, depending how mechanically inclined you are. On the Commands, the kit, iirc, is about $40 or $50 (per side) and includes new head bolts as the ones they use are one time use only. But don't get ahead of yourself; check cooling, see if you can find a leak spot, try a different oil and who knows, it could be a simple fix. One other thing you could try is pulling your spark plugs; if they are a good, clean tan color, it may be a leak. If one or both are black and sooty, you may have a blown gasket. Check out the technical library's new section, there is a great write up in there about how to read your spark plugs and how to replace a head gasket. Just take it one step at a time, though; it'll get figured out

[nikster]

Originally Posted by jimbob200521

I saw you post a while back about replacing the ignition coils, good work. When you had things apart, did you notice if it was very dirty or clogged up with grass/dirt not allowing proper engine and coil cooling? Most of the coils I've seen in the past that have gone bad have gone bad because they were so covered in crud and the cooling fins were blocked off they couldn't cool properly. So, making sure you have a clean and properly breathing engine is key

PS Hopefully, others will chime in with some other suggestions

Edit: Head gaskets are an "easy" fix, depending how mechanically inclined you are. On the Commands, the kit, iirc, is about $40 or $50 (per side) and includes new head bolts as the ones they use are one time use only. But don't get ahead of yourself; check cooling, see if you can find a leak spot, try a different oil and who knows, it could be a simple fix. One other thing you could try is pulling your spark plugs; if they are a good, clean tan color, it may be a leak. If one or both are black and sooty, you may have a blown gasket. Check out the technical library's new section, there is a great write up in there about how to read your spark plugs and how to replace a head gasket. Just take it one step at a time, though; it'll get figured out

Mmmmmmmmmmm? Thanks for the feedback.

When I changed the two coils there was very little grass/crud back there, very little. I thought it would be worse than what is was.

I've got a very busy week, so I guess this weekend I'll give it a closer look & do some investigating.

Again, thanks,

NIK,

[mickb72]

Hi Nic, command manual says 10w30 oil for the hyd lifters. I'm working on one that i put in a 682. I/ve had it apart for seals, glueing a magnet on the flywheel and carb clean. It blackened the right plug before and still does. It runs ok at a higher rpm but will miss at idle and a puff of black smoke. These are known for blowing the head gasket into the push rod galley. It's the one on the right side closest to the flywheel. I have ordered the head gasket, i think that will fix it. Mike

[jimbob200521]

Originally Posted by mickb72

Hi Nic, command manual says 10w30 oil for the hyd lifters. I'm working on one that i put in a 682. I/ve had it apart for seals, glueing a magnet on the flywheel and carb clean. It blackened the right plug before and still does. It runs ok at a higher rpm but will miss at idle and a puff of black smoke. These are known for blowing the head gasket into the push rod galley. It's the one on the right side closest to the flywheel. I have ordered the head gasket, i think that will fix it. Mike

Kohler updated what they recommend around 2011, here's a link to the recommended oils for the Command Series from Kohlers site. Second link is to the Kohler service manual; a couple pages down is the recommended oil weights. Either is acceptable

http://www.kohlerengines.com/mainten...0#contentItem3

http://www.kohlerengines.com/onlinec..._24_690_06.pdf

[nikster]

Originally Posted by mickb72

Hi Nic, command manual says 10w30 oil for the hyd lifters. I'm working on one that i put in a 682. I/ve had it apart for seals, glueing a magnet on the flywheel and carb clean. It blackened the right plug before and still does. It runs ok at a higher rpm but will miss at idle and a puff of black smoke. These are known for blowing the head gasket into the push rod galley. It's the one on the right side closest to the flywheel. I have ordered the head gasket, i think that will fix it. Mike

Yup, I have the original manual & the first thing I did was change the oil with 10/30.

Engine does not even puff a bit of smoke.

Like I stated before, this weekend ill do a closer inspection if I can see any residue build up from oil.

NIK,

[J-Mech]

4oz in 18 hrs!? ........ Nik, I wouldn't worry about it. It's a pint between add and full, and 4oz is 1/4, of 1 pint. No. Don't even try and find where it's going. You will pull your hair out and never find it. Your motor is fine.

[nikster]

Originally Posted by J-Mech

4oz in 18 hrs!? ........ Nik, I wouldn't worry about it. It's a pint between add and full, and 4oz is 1/4, of 1 pint. No. Don't even try and find where it's going. You will pull your hair out and never find it. Your motor is fine.

Ahhhhhhhhh, my coffee taste soooooooooo much better this morning!

But, I'll still have a closer look this weekend if I see anything unusual.

NIK,