OT Kohler Engine Parts $$$

I bought a Woods Zero Turn mower a month ago that I knew needed work. I bought it to fix up and possible resell. It has a Kohler Command CH18 engine in it. I ordered a gasket set today for it, $76.00, that includes new head bolts though too. I guess I've been away from the small engine trade for too long and didn't keep up.

If you thank that is high, price some parts for an Onan engine.

Well Kohler is angels compared to Onan. I just rebuilt an Onan for a friend. The over haul gasket set was $175. The Rings $42 each piston. That was from JD. I called Cummins an they where $261 0n the gasket set.

I have a Kohler CH18 on a JD 687 zero turn. It only has 625 hours and one cylinder burns oil terribly. I am going to overhaul it. So I am thinking that Kohler Command engines are not holding up the best.

I've got a Magnum 16 horse on one of my zero turns. That things is strong as an ox and runs like new. The fuel pump on it is the only thing that gives me fits. I don't know what I will do when that engine wears out - it is my favorite small engine on the farm. We also have one of those box store mowers with a Courage 20 horse on it. That thing is junk. Too bad they couldn't have just kept making the old flat heads.

Onan = OH MAN when you by parts!

You never had it so good, buy something for an Onan.

Parts for anything is lots of $$$ these days.

Yeah I agree, just had a tractor in the shop, asked the guy what kinda budget I had to work with.
When he told me, I said which lug nut do you want me to look at.
His budget never even covered the labor.
I know the worst option hours, and all the parts needed for this axle and he was $2000 short.

His comment was maybe I should hunt for cheaper parts, I said that is cheap stuff. I have already been there twice this year for same jobs with other customers.
Some days it seems like my parts guy is the only one of us, with new house all the toys and 3-5 weeks a year holidays. I wonder why L.O.L.
Regards Robert

JD Seller,
My 2004 20 hp kohler has 1500 hours on it. I bought it used with 400 hours on it. The left cylinder plug was fouled out. Replaced it, but the left side would carbon up. Never burns oil. I did a leak down test, showed good. So I would rotate spark plugs. Put the left side in the right side, where the right side would burn the carbon off. About a year later I discovered the carb needed cleaned. That somewhat fixed the carbon on the tip of plug, but not everything. I no longer have to rotate plugs.

I just wish the carb had adj jets. Engine would diesel and run backward when I shut it off after a good workout.

Now I'm experimenting with making 94 octane E15. That seems to help cool things down. Still not 100% there, but an improvement. No loss of power, seems to like what I've done.

Now I have something weird happening. Ever hear of the kill wire on the mag not working? The kill wire on just one coil works, other doesn't. So when I turn key off, engine keeps running on one cylinder. I replaced the wires going from switch to mag coils. Still runs on one cylinder. I removed the kill wire from switch, shorted out kill wire, same problem, so it's not my switch.

My tractor came with a gas solenoid valve. When I turn the key off engine runs out of gas in 5 seconds, no way to diesel.
George

I asked the local DIY guys, who rent the kohler powered terramites, if they would use a different engine, like a honda. Their reply was that it's very difficult getting everything lined up, we stay with Kohler.

I asked them how many hours can I expect to get from my 20 hp kohler command on a terramite. They said typically they can get between 1500 to 3000 hours. Keep in mind, people renting don't really care how they abuse things. It's cheaper and faster for them to get a short block form the local small engine place in town.

I've researched small engine warehouse. My engine, complete is around $1500 plus about $100 shipping.

There may be better engines than a Kohler, but to the diy guys in town stick with Kohler.

My oldest lawn mower is a single cylinder 15.5 hp kohler. I'm guessing the mower is about 30 years old. Someone may know when lawn mowers got away from a gear box tranny and changed over the the 2 belt variable pulley tranny. I keep the old lawn tractor because of the tranny. I have tractor bar tires on it. Works great for pulling 2 36 inch disks that I made look like a real disk with front and back gangs.

Engine runs great.
George