Joking aside Cliff, change it out for a Kohler...You CANT kill that thing. My old Aierens ran hot or cold, step daughter ran it out of oil, cut grass, plow snow, haul wood..rain, sleet...It didnt matter with that thing. Jump on turn the key and you are going. If the battery is dead it can be jump started with a 5-foot push.
I had the back 2/3rd of that tractor in the swamp pulling out a log...YUP, it just keeps going.
Old Kohlers were pretty good. The newer ones not so much...I've seen lots of dead ones on mowers, bigger rear-tine tillers and lawn/garden tractors. Loved to see a Kohler powered unit come in with noisy internals..quick sell of a new engine as the labor to rebuild cost more than the replacement engine. Most upgrade from Kohler to Honda, tho some went with B&D.
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You could always look for a used one on craigslist. Many times the mower decks rot away before the engines fail.
Yep, and while most B&D engines are readily available as OEM replacement, decks are much more difficult to find. Lawn tractors/riders: eng= 1/3 of the unit's cost.. deck=1/3 of unit cost .. frame and drive train= the other 1/3.
[This message has been edited by maryjane (edited 05-06-2019).]
For zhits and giggles, I checked Amazon. Surprise ! They have what I need. This one, for $505.51.
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Originally posted by maryjane: Lawn tractors/riders: eng= 1/3 of the unit's cost.. deck=1/3 of unit cost .. frame and drive train= the other 1/3.
Not to mention, a trip to the small engine repair shop, a cost of $100.00 should be expected. Around here it includes a two week (at least) wait time and who knows what employee might work on it.
My other engine ran fine except the crankcase pressure relief valve (lowers compression for start up) does not work. An internal fix at the bottom of the crankshaft.
I wouldn't mind going Honda but I have no idea what would fit / work.
Thanks all.
[This message has been edited by cliffw (edited 05-06-2019).]
The Briggs-Stratton OHV engines have historically had a problem with the rocker arms coming loose. My first engine got replaced because it acted like it was out of time, meaning the flywheel had slipped on the top of the crankshaft. I bought a replacement at Grainger.
Later, that one did the same thing. When I went to an individual who repairs small engines, looking for a used mower, he told me what the problem was. A valve adjustment did the trick. Over the course of the time I had it, it had to have the valves adjusted several times because the rockers would come loose. Eventually, it slung a rod.
The Briggs-Stratton OHV engines have historically had a problem with the rocker arms coming loose. My first engine got replaced because it acted like it was out of time, meaning the flywheel had slipped on the top of the crankshaft. I bought a replacement at Grainger.
Later, that one did the same thing. When I went to an individual who repairs small engines, looking for a used mower, he told me what the problem was. A valve adjustment did the trick. Over the course of the time I had it, it had to have the valves adjusted several times because the rockers would come loose. Eventually, it slung a rod.
Don't believe every thing I think. I don't believe you are right.
A valve adjustment doesn't mean the rocker arms "came loose". I believe they wore loose. I have seem in many factory service manuals that, a valve adjustment on those types of engines (mechanical lifters vs hydraulic), is an important scheduled maintenance task. My motorcycle, my VW bug, my riding mower.
Adjusting mechanical valves is as easy to do as an oil change. The first three times might be scary and difficult. After that, you could make money doing it on the side, if you wanted to. I look at mine often, even if it is running good. As I tend to whatever else in scheduled maintenance. (Usually for me, when it is not running good, )
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