Continued engine problems with my 129

[three4rd]

I wonder if I tightened the bolts too much - guess I'll have to loosen one and try the torque wrench to 25-30 ft. lbs as called for just to see how tight it is. Then I can re-do them all. Already put it all back together as I said! No real big deal though to take off the shroud and get back in there. I wasn't planning on getting a new gasket. I believe it was replaced only 4 years ago. What I also didn't do is follow any tightening sequence...should have assumed there is one. So I guess I really should check it. Maybe the bolts weren't loose after all, since I've read that 25-30 ft. lbs is not all that tight. Have to check it again.

[DeltaCub]

Originally Posted by three4rd

I wonder if I tightened the bolts too much - guess I'll have to loosen one and try the torque wrench to 25-30 ft. lbs as called for. Already put it all back together as I said. I wasn't planning on getting a new gasket. I believe it was replaced only 4 years ago. What I also didn't do is follow any tightening sequence...should have assumed there is one. So I guess I really should check it. Maybe the bolts weren't loose after all, since I've read that 25-30 ft. lbs is not all that tight.

The torque specs and sequence are in the K Series manual. It is your friend!

[J-Mech]

Head gasket is leaking.
Engine is running lean.
It's burning oil.

You already screwed up putting it back together, because you didn't clean it, get a new gasket, or torque it. Please just take it to your bro. For crying out loud he offered to fix it, and he's not even far away. Calm down. Wait, and get it right the first time.

[three4rd]

Originally Posted by J-Mech

Head gasket is leaking.
Engine is running lean.
It's burning oil.

You already screwed up putting it back together, because you didn't clean it, get a new gasket, or torque it. Please just take it to your bro. For crying out loud he offered to fix it, and he's not even far away. Calm down. Wait, and get it right the first time.

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[zippy1]

Originally Posted by J-Mech

Head gasket is leaking.
Engine is running lean.
It's burning oil.

You already screwed up putting it back together, because you didn't clean it, get a new gasket, or torque it. Please just take it to your bro. For crying out loud he offered to fix it, and he's not even far away. Calm down. Wait, and get it right the first time.

Yes, for crumps sake, everything you did, you did a$$ backwards...
You NEED a new head gasket.
You NEED to true the head.
You NEED to clean the carbon out/off.
You NEED to torque the bolts in sequence.
You NEED to take it to your bro.

[three4rd]

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[three4rd]

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[J-Mech]

Originally Posted by three4rd

Couldn't the gasket have been leaking due to the bolts being loose?

I'm not convinced at all they were loose. After all, you didn't check them with a torque wrench, and I'm certain that you have absolutely no idea what 30lbs of torque feels like.

Originally Posted by three4rd

With all due respect, I can't see how removing the head and putting it back on without having done anything to either the engine side or the head can do any real harm.

Well of coarse you don't see how doing that would do any harm. You have NO IDEA what you're talking about!!! A gasket CANNOT seal on a dirty surface, and a head gasket has a crush style fire ring. Once crushed it can't be crushed again. Plus, once the material has been heated up numerous times, it becomes hard, therefore not able to be crushed and seal.

Originally Posted by three4rd

What has changed mechanically? I mean, I'm not trying to make it sound like I'm challenging what you're saying, but...this is a lawnmower head...we're not doing open heart surgery here.

I get so incredibly tired of hearing things like this. You know what, you're right. It's not a goddamn space shuttle. It's not a human being that we are cutting open. It's a motor. But to fix it right, there is still a procedure that needs to be followed. It doesn't matter if it's a K series Kohler motor, or the engine in a BMW, or a Lamborghini...... there is still a proper way to fix it, and if that way isn't followed, it won't last. Sure, you can do exactly what you did and will most assuredly run. It will likely run a good while..... but it WILL fail soon. May even run worse now than it did before. What you did was of no help to your problem at all.

Originally Posted by three4rd

Certainly there is more stress on the two pieces now that the bolts are tight.

I'm sure there is, as you likely over tightened them. You do understand that you can crack the aluminum head, or warp it so bad that it can't be planed flat again by over torquing or unevenly torquing the bolts right? You can actually ruin the head.

Originally Posted by three4rd

I can easily take it back off and get a new gasket for it. As to cleaning everything up real well, not sure I know how to go about doing that.

Well then why would you take it apart if you don't even know how to clean it up and reassemble it??

Originally Posted by three4rd

I did watch Tim's video on using a piece of glass to work on the head. When I used to help my dad in the repair shop, I assisted many times with putting head components in the parts washer and then scraping carbon. But that was a LONG time ago.

You watched your dad in the repair shop... assisted many times with putting head components in the parts washer and scraping carbon......... but you just said you don't know how to go about cleaning up the motor you just took apart?? That doesn't even make sense. Watching isn't a substitute for experience or knowledge.

You watched the video, then totally disregarded it and went about it your own way. Yes, we totally want to keep helping someone that doesn't listen, argues with our answers, and ignores procedures because they just don't think they matter.

This thread is

[J-Mech]

Originally Posted by three4rd

I quote the following from the Forum Rules...

• No personal attacks, insults, abuse, or flaming is allowed. Postings of this nature will be deleted. If you have a problem with a member, do so in the private arena, not on this Forum. If someone has abused you, then please report it to the Administration.

I believe this..."everything you did, you did a$$ backwards..." qualifies as being a bit abusive and insulting...n'est-ce pas?

I'm sorry your feeling are hurt, but I don't think it qualifies as abuse to you. Condescending is not abuse.... rude maybe, but that's about it.

[three4rd]

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