Kohler K-Series Engine Lubrication

jsoluna · #1 07-17-2011, 01:04 PM

Hey guys,

So it occurred to me the other day - what if the reason my K301a started smoking was because of lack of lubrication? I always make sure I've got plenty of clean oil in it, but I do have a lot of hilly terrain that I use the tractor on. I live in the hills of Appalachia, and I will never be able to entirely avoid mowing or driving the 129 on hills.

I did as much searching as I could on this subject, and it seems that there is a mixed opinion. I know that the manual states no more than a 30 degree incline to keep the engine lubricated....but I have heard different, from many others. Some say that the splash lubrication system can handle just about any terrain you can manage to get the tractor to drive on, as long as the oil is full and you don't let it sit and idle there for a long period of time.

My main concern, of course, is to keep the next Kohler I get from smoking like this one does. I want to make sure that I'm taking the necessary precautions. Is it true that the engine's can't handle much of a grade, either front - to - back, or side - to - side? I'm looking for advice from people who have more experience with this engine series than I do. I've always been crazy about maintenance, but maintenance can only go so far if I use the engine improperly.

Thanks guys,

Justin

jsoluna · #2 07-17-2011, 03:18 PM

Yeah, when I did the head gasket, I noticed oil on 3/4 of the top of the piston. And the piston seemed to have excessive movement in the bore at that time. It's gotten progressively worse, though, and I want to make sure that I don't repeat the same scenario with the next engine I get.

That's what made me wonder if it had anything to do with mowing on inclines with it. Yeah, it's a 40 year old engine so anything could have caused the wear that lead to oil consumption - so it's hard to so what did it. I guess what I'm asking is this:

In your experience, how likely is it that you will starve a K Series Kohler of its oil by mowing on inclines? A buddy of mine told me it wasn't worth worrying about, he's had tons of them and never had a problem...but I don't have enough experience to know whether to trust him or not.

jsoluna · #3 07-17-2011, 07:58 PM

Ok, and yeah, that's basically how I've been mowing - I have a few customer's lawns that have steep grades, but I've always mowed up/down the slope, not side-side. But, one of them is sorta bowl-shaped - so I inevitably have to have the 129 tilted to the left or right, but never for more than 10 seconds or so.

Would it help to put a little Lucas in the oil, to help it 'cling" to the metal surfaces to compensate for times when lubrication is lacking? I've always used straight 30w oil per the manual. Did use Marvel Mystery oil in the crankcase a few times, always run it in the gas a little too.

It's good to hear that it is not a common point of failure on these K series engines. Some of the people I've talked to really trash the splash lubrication engines, saying that you can't mow on anything but fairly level ground. But others swear by the K series, saying that they are one of the toughest designed small engine out there.

Vince_o · #4 07-17-2011, 08:05 PM

If your mowing on a hill straight up and down or if your going to go across it, keep where the exaust comes out of the block on the lower side, this is where the dipper is. But the pan has a deep spot for oil to bee in there.

Matt G. · #5 07-17-2011, 08:13 PM

As has already been said, you don't really have anything to worry about mowing slopes with it, just keep the oil towards the full mark. The engine can probably handle steeper slopes (from a lubrication standpoint) than you can safely traverse with the tractor.

You know, the Series I KT-17 twin-cylinder engines get a bad rap, but out of the 3 blown Series I KT-17s I've had, all 3 were run too low on oil. I suspect that had more to do with the engine's demise than design flaws.

ol'George · #6 07-17-2011, 09:28 PM

I second what matt says and no need to add snake oil to the crankcase,
Unless you feel you have a few extra dollars that you don't need.
The oil salesman will all tell you a story about how their product helps.
I equate it to the fellow who installed elephant whistles to all his pickups.
He swears they work, as he never hit an elephant in 50 years of driving in Kentucky!!

jsoluna · #7 07-17-2011, 10:20 PM

Awesome advice guys, thank you! Vince - can you give me further explanation of your post - I'm a bit confused (or if anyone else wants to chime in here and explain it, that's cool too).

Do you mean keep the engine tilted towards the exhaust side?