My K301A uses oil

[drglinski]

I'm late to the game here obviously, but I might as well chime in.

My 14 HP uses oil pretty heavily too. It's def. a hybrid, or a 60/40 engine. (60% gas, 40% oil.) I run 30wt in the summer months and 10w 30 in the winter. It's still got power so I'm gonna keep dumping oil in it and run it till I either blow it up or deem it's smoking too bad it needs a rebuild. We rebuilt my dads 12 HP in about 2002-03 and it's still running/driving strong. (course we used genuine Kohler parts...)

[OldSkull]

Originally Posted by drglinski

It's def. a hybrid, or a 60/40 engine. (60% gas, 40% oil.)

This thing can be classed as a chemical weapon! I bet you and all your closer neighbors don't have any mosquitos!

[I-H73]

Originally Posted by OldSkull

30W non-detergent or synthetic oil is what they need in summer, 10W30 is what they need in cold weather (winter). The reason for using non-detergent oil in a K series is simple "NO OIL FILTER SYSTEM" so you don't want to wash the crankcase and bring back those nasty particles back in your oil, better let them stick where they are.

Now I can give you a long list of good oil brand but the shell Rotella 30W you use is a good one, Mobil Delvac 1630 is another good choice. 30w synthetic are pretty expensive but some guy find them for cheaper at a local boat dealer (Look for the Volvo Penta brand apparently).

Thanks thats what I needed to hear & my mechanic put International 30 weight oil in it & advised me today if engine uses too much Rotella 30 oil to switch to the international 30 weight oil that is specifically designed for tractors.
I ran this engine hard for 3 &1/2 hours mowing not only my lawn but 3 & 1/2 ft weeds in a field behind my house on a real hot day.
Im going to check engine oil after each use & see whats going on here & no more mowing tall weeds only my grass.
Thanks again!

[I-H73]

Originally Posted by J-Mech

30wt Rotella.

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

Thanks!

[OldSkull]

Originally Posted by I-H73

Thanks thats what I needed to hear & my mechanic put International 30 weight oil in it & advised me today if engine uses too much Rotella 30 oil to switch to the international 30 weight oil that is specifically designed for tractors.
I ran this engine hard for 3 &1/2 hours mowing not only my lawn but 3 & 1/2 ft weeds in a field behind my house on a real hot day.
Im going to check engine oil after each use & see whats going on here & no more mowing tall weeds only my grass.
Thanks again!

Your engine is already 40+ years old, changing your brand of oil can't help it so much because he burn or loose plenty already, in old Harley air cooled V-twin we use to put straight SAE 50W to help them.(Less leak, better compression but a bit harder to start)

I don't know if anyone have try this in a K series engine and if it's a good idea but I never see one of those old HD throwing a rod because of high viscosity oil, they do it for lot of others reasons...

[I-H73]

Originally Posted by OldSkull

Your engine is already 40+ years old, changing your brand of oil can't help it so much because he burn or loose plenty already, in old Harley air cooled V-twin we use to put straight SAE 50W to help them.(Less leak, better compression but a bit harder to start)

I don't know if anyone have try this in a K series engine and if it's a good idea but I never see one of those old HD throwing a rod because of high viscosity oil, they do it for lot of others reasons...

I own 2 Harleys a 55 panhead & a 02 Sportster 883R with a Screaminn eagle 1250 kit
But I run $14.00 a quart sceamin eagle motor oil in the Sportster & 50 weight racing oil in the Panhead.

[ol'George]

I used to run 50W in my "K" model, but it was nor a Kohler

[I-H73]

Originally Posted by ol'George

I used to run 50W in my "K" model, but it was nor a Kohler

What was it ?

[ol'George]

Originally Posted by I-H73

What was it ?

Harley "K" model,
it was a flathead race bike in it's day.
http://www.harleykmodel.com/

[OldSkull]

Originally Posted by ol'George

Harley "K" model,
it was a flathead race bike in it's day.
http://www.harleykmodel.com/

In those days guys didn't wear chaps just to look tough or cool, they wear them to stop getting burn by the oil "spitting" from the engine! Girls like those old "shaker" but technology helping they now can ride on new bike wearing bikini and sun tan oil...(Sturgis:-) You can't stop progress.