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JD 214 Kohler 14hp engine, rebuild or buy new?

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03-07-2004 14:47:29

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I have a John Deere 214 with a broken con rod. When disassembling a broken piston ring was also found. I don't know how old the tractor is, but I do know the engine has never been rebuilt. Despite havng the oil changed just over a month ago, the oil was very gritty. I will have to replace the con rod and there is scoring, so I will have to take it to be machined. What is the cost, usually, of having one of these 14hp Kohlers rebuilt? The advice I'm receiving is to just buy new. . . but I'm just not sure.

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Bob

03-07-2004 19:28:52

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Re: JD 214 Kohler 14hp engine, rebuild or buy new? in reply to MC, 03-07-2004 14:47:29

MC,

If your crank is not worn more than what will clean up at .010 undersize, and your bore will clean up at .030 oversize (or less) you should have no trouble rebuilding this unit. Follow the tightening instructions with the new connecting rod exactly, and BE SURE to install the rod on the crank according to instructions, so the oil hole in the cap is in the proper orientation.

Kohler replacement parts are VERY expensive, and people seem to have pretty good luck with some aftermarket parts, which cuts the cost of the piston and rod A LOT!

If you decide to go the generic route, you might want to search on ebay for "Kohler engine", and check auction parts prices compared to local parts sources. Of course, you have to know what oversize piston you need, or if the crank will be ground .010. That is the only undersized rod commonly available, but some machine shops have "tricks" to get around that.

Here is a discussion related to one aftermarket parts supplier.

Link

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Mark

03-07-2004 17:47:54

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Re: JD 214 Kohler 14hp engine, rebuild or buy new? in reply to MC, 03-07-2004 14:47:29

I'm facing the same decission. I "inherited" a 1976 214 from my father, but it's starting to burn too much oil. The engine was overhauled about 7 or 8 years ago I'm told, but when they got it open all they had to do was put in a new piston and hone out the cylinder. Man, I'm really hoping that I'm able to save this mower. It's part of the family. It worked on the farm for many years pulling empty wagons, etc. whenever it wasn't mowing about 3 acres of grass every week. Shoot, Dad even slid it into the pond one day! It went under completely while it was still running. Took us a week to clean out the rear end and such, but it still ran fine! That really says something about the old Deere's in my book.

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Red Dave

03-07-2004 15:27:43

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Re: JD 214 Kohler 14hp engine, rebuild or buy new? in reply to MC, 03-07-2004 14:47:29

MC I'm in the middle of rebuilding a 12 horse Kohler from a Cub Cadet. I just got the bore cut .010 over and next I need to get the new piston, rod, bearings and gasket kit. Based on the one I did last year, I'll have $250 - $300 in it for parts & machine work. Doing all the work myself, so the labor is at no cost.
If you have a good block and can do most or all of the work yourself, I'd rebuild it.
If you have to pay somebody else to rebuild it, you would have to run the numbers, but it may not be too far from the price of replacement.

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Jerry

03-07-2004 15:58:29

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Re: Re: JD 214 Kohler 14hp engine, rebuild or buy in reply to Red Dave, 03-07-2004 15:27:43

I priced a short block for mine and they were around $900.00. I bought a used motor for $500.00 and have used it for 2 years. The proper motor for it is hard to find. The 214 used a dipstick that was inside the block and a lot of the replacements have the dipstick go through a boss that protrudes outside the block and it interferres with the lever that operates the mower clutch. I suggest fixing the motor that you have. When you keep the oil level up they almost last forever. Jerry

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RayP(MI)

03-07-2004 17:14:42

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Re: Re: Re: JD 214 Kohler 14hp engine, rebuild or in reply to Jerry, 03-07-2004 15:58:29

Or if you find yourself in Jerry's place, you might consider replacement with a new engine of another design. My Deere 140 sports a Briggs Vangard V-Twin - 18hp! Cost was fairly competitive with rebuild, especially since the Kohler block was special for that model tractor.

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