My K301A uses oil

[J-Mech]

Overhauling engines isn't for everyone. As a mechanic, or mechanically inclined person it's easy to say that it's "easy". It's not easy. Not to everyone. Reading the service manual doesn't make you a mechanic.

I'm a really smart guy, but I don't know jack about computers. Everyone says, "oh, they're so easy to understand". (I am talking about building one, or figuring out why one isn't working right.) Not to me. All that jargon is Greek to me. Doesn’t mean I'm stupid, it's just not my area of expertise, so I avoid it. I encourage others to know what they are good at and stick with that. If you're not a mechanic, don't try to be one. Put in some extra time at your real job and make some extra money, then pay someone who owns the tools and possess the knowledge to do the hard stuff.

[olds45512]

Originally Posted by J-Mech

Overhauling engines isn't for everyone. As a mechanic, or mechanically inclined person it's easy to say that it's "easy". It's not easy. Not to everyone. Reading the service manual doesn't make you a mechanic.

I'm a really smart guy, but I don't know jack about computers. Everyone says, "oh, they're so easy to understand". (I am talking about building one, or figuring out why one isn't working right.) Not to me. All that jargon is Greek to me. Doesn’t mean I'm stupid, it's just not my area of expertise, so I avoid it. I encourage others to know what they are good at and stick with that. If you're not a mechanic, don't try to be one. Put in some extra time at your real job and make some extra money, then pay someone who owns the tools and possess the knowledge to do the hard stuff.

While I agree that some people are not mechanically inclined I will disagree that building a k series isn't for everyone. If they follow the manual and ask the right questions here then there is no reason why anybody can't build one, put part A into part B and tighten bolts to X isn't exactly rocket science. When my son was younger I would always build his Lego sets for him but he's almost 7 and now he reads the instructions and builds them himself, this is really no different and I'm pretty sure I could talk him through building a k series. I think most of the problem with inexperienced people is the intimidation that goes along with doing something outside of their comfort zone.

[flatpickerray]

Since we're talking about rebuilding engines I have a question. I recently had the 301 out of the 129 to replace the governor gear and now it seems to burn oil. Here's the question, when I rebuild it, do any of you leave the balance gears out? I was just reading "50 Years of Cub Cadet" (page 63) and it said it is a common practice when rebuilding these engines to leave them out, is this true?

[J-Mech]

Yep. Leave out the gears. I never put them back in.

[J-Mech]

Originally Posted by olds45512

While I agree that some people are not mechanically inclined I will disagree that building a k series isn't for everyone. If they follow the manual and ask the right questions here then there is no reason why anybody can't build one, put part A into part B and tighten bolts to X isn't exactly rocket science. When my son was younger I would always build his Lego sets for him but he's almost 7 and now he reads the instructions and builds them himself, this is really no different and I'm pretty sure I could talk him through building a k series. I think most of the problem with inexperienced people is the intimidation that goes along with doing something outside of their comfort zone.

I think painting is easy too, but not everyone can do it.

I agree with you only if every single part is replaced brand new, whether it needs it or not. Problem is, no one wants to spend the money to do it that way. If being a mechanic was that easy, my 10 year old could do it. He reads at a high school lever and follows Lego instructions perfectly. It's not the so much the knowledge as it is the experience.

[ol'George]

Originally Posted by I-H73

As you may well already know I replaced my K161 with a K301A 12 hp Kohler engine.
Well the engine does not smoke on start up or full throttle but it does consume oil after mowing approximately 3 acres of grass I have to add about a quart of oil as dip stick reads 1/4 full. Any thoughts on this? I am currently using Rotella 30 weight oil.

As most have said, if it is not leaking externally, or smoking or knocking. you have 2 choices:
Add oil as needed, and continue using it
or have it overhauled.
Oil is inexpensive so you can put some $$ away each pay day toward an overhaul.
I doubt that you are consuming huge amounts of oil as stated, or it would be fouling the plug and showing signs of smoking quite noticeably out the exhaust.
Do check and add oil every time before you start it or it will pitch the rod and you will be looking for another engine.

[Merk]

Does your exhaust have a carbon or wet looking buildup?

Is the dipstick for the K301 the correct one?

[dodge trucker]

Originally Posted by J-Mech

Overhauling engines isn't for everyone. As a mechanic, or mechanically inclined person it's easy to say that it's "easy". It's not easy. Not to everyone. Reading the service manual doesn't make you a mechanic.

I'm a really smart guy, but I don't know jack about computers. Everyone says, "oh, they're so easy to understand". (I am talking about building one, or figuring out why one isn't working right.) Not to me. All that jargon is Greek to me. Doesn’t mean I'm stupid, it's just not my area of expertise, so I avoid it. I encourage others to know what they are good at and stick with that. If you're not a mechanic, don't try to be one. Put in some extra time at your real job and make some extra money, then pay someone who owns the tools and possess the knowledge to do the hard stuff.

I'm with you completely on the computer thing. I hate them, when ever they wont do what I want them to because I can't figure out how to make them again do what they are supposed to.... and because I can't fix/modify the variety that run cars trucks and equipment, I much prefer old mechanical versions.

[I-H73]

Originally Posted by ol'George

As most have said, if it is not leaking externally, or smoking or knocking. you have 2 choices:
Add oil as needed, and continue using it
or have it overhauled.
Oil is inexpensive so you can put some $$ away each pay day toward an overhaul.
I doubt that you are consuming huge amounts of oil as stated, or it would be fouling the plug and showing signs of smoking quite noticeably out the exhaust.
Do check and add oil every time before you start it or it will pitch the rod and you will be looking for another engine.

Thanks you all for your comments & suggestions on this engine Good stuff here, & I was just guessing at the amount of oil added as I did not measure it.
The lower dipstick only had 1/4 of oil in it so to top it off not sure what amount it took, it has a deep sump oil pan & Herb Kroger told me the other day to make sure I check the oil level before each use which I do but it just seems strange that its not leaking oil or smoking on start up or in use or at full throttle & this engine has plenty of power to turn a 38" 3 blade deck & runs quiet & is very fuel efficient. I would think if it was burning oil past the rings it would be smoking but it's not. I dont mind adding oil before each use but maybe the 30 weight Rotella isnt the best oil to be using.
With that said what type & grade of oil do you guys use in your machines?

[J-Mech]

30wt Rotella.

I'd hope your 12hp has plenty of power for a 38" deck. A 10hp will run a 50" deck.