Cleaning a mower engine

[Bigwoods]

I inherited a very expensive mower and need some help. It has a 25 HP Kohler engine and seems to be running very hot. I do see some grease or oil build up on the motor, along with cottonwood seeds and debris I can blow off with the compressor.

My question is does anyone use engine degreaser or or some kinda cleaner to keep oil and grease build up away from the oil cooler and cooling fins?

Never had this problem on other mowers, but never had one with this big of motor either.

[madjack]

...oven cleaner works pretty good...be aware, it is caustic, can remove paint and kills grass.......................

[Kevin A]

I inherited a very expensive mower and need some help. It has a 25 HP Kohler engine and seems to be running very hot. I do see some grease or oil build up on the motor, along with cottonwood seeds and debris I can blow off with the compressor.

My question is does anyone use engine degreaser or or some kinda cleaner to keep oil and grease build up away from the oil cooler and cooling fins?

Never had this problem on other mowers, but never had one with this big of motor either.

Greg,

The degreaser sounds like a good idea. If you haven't already done it, you should remove all the shrouding from the engine and clean any debris that has built up. Make sure there isn't anything obstructing the air flow. Do you have any pics of the motor?

[teardrop_focus]

If you haven't already done it, you should remove all the shrouding from the engine and clean any debris that has built up.

Excellent advice...

If the mower's a high-quality piece, it should run as designed and it shouldn't be giving one the impression that's it's too hot. What're the symptoms? Odor?

Chances are that Kevin's advice would fix the issue. Either that, or it's ignition timing has retarded from what it should be. And that's unlikely, given the digital engine controls on everything these days...

And, yes! Pics, please!

[Bigwoods]

So here it is. Snapper Z Rider 25 HP 61" Cut.



I blew out the oil cooler and the front mesh, where air gets to the cylinders was coated with cottonwood fuzz. I cleaned that. The reason I thought it was so hot was when I check the oil more smoke was coming out than normal. Usually it is just a little puff.


My wife discovered the joys of mowing and I can't keep her off of the thing.

Engine views

[caseydog]

I have a Snapper push mower that I bought in 1987, and it still starts on the first or second pull.

I let my mower cool down, and blast it with the garden hose. I've done that since I got it. About once a year, I clean it good with engine degreaser and my pressure washer.

CD

[DrCrash]

...oven cleaner works pretty good...be aware, it is caustic, can remove paint and kills grass.......................

It also reacts violently with aluminum....Not a good idea on air cooled motors..

[xrover]

I have a kholer in my Argo but it is water cooled. Yours is air cooled and so it designed to get stinking hot, and will auto-shut down if it goes too hot. So it is critical to keep the cooling fins as clean as possible. I would use a detergent (dishsoap) and a stiff nylon brush to do the intial clean up.
You can as well check to make sure your exhaust is working by feeling for air flow at the exit side of the muffler. The metal will of course be very hot so be careful.
And then the last thing is an oil and air filter change as a clean combustion will make it all run better. Oil changes on some of these small 2 cylinder engines can be a pain. If you can't see the drain plug (although your oil filter looks easy to access) then I recommend to warm the engine, and then use a hand pump to suck out the old oil.

Oh yea, a couple of other things with the kholer engines.
1) Always use gas stabilizer for everytime you buy new gas for it. I recommend that to anyone who is using small jet gasline engines. Does not affect performance but keeps the jets frm gumming up.
2) Always use a genuine Kholer fuel filter and not a generic one. I don't know why but we always had problems when using a non-oem filter in that the engine starts off fine but then struggled to rebuild enough pressure to pull the fuel through the filter.

Good luck. A very nice lawnmower.
Len

[planovet]

My wife discovered the joys of mowing and I can't keep her off of the thing.

Sure would save me a ton on lawn care

[chorizon]

Simple green works wonders on gunky stuff. Use it all the time at work. Spray. Dilute it or not. Spray it on. Let it sit. Compressed air, scotch-brite, or wipe it off with a rag. Good stuff.

[Bigwoods]

I think I solved my problem. The front of the engine has the mesh that is on the top of most mowers. I blew all the debris away and clean out all the cottonwood seeds. I think it was inhibiting the air flow to the inner cylinders.

I mowed for about an hour tonight and everything seemed fine. I appreciate the advice and will clean the motor better than it is at present with your great suggestions.

We mow 9 acres with this thing and I find the upkeep horrendous. I have never disliked a mower more than this pooch. Can't wait to make sure it is really mine so I can trade it for a steering wheel.

Thanks for the help.

[the pvc bike guy]

I think I solved my problem. The front of the engine has the mesh that is on the top of most mowers. I blew all the debris away and clean out all the cottonwood seeds. I think it was inhibiting the air flow to the inner cylinders.

I mowed for about an hour tonight and everything seemed fine. I appreciate the advice and will clean the motor better than it is at present with your great suggestions.

We mow 9 acres with this thing and I find the upkeep horrendous. I have never disliked a mower more than this pooch. Can't wait to make sure it is really mine so I can trade it for a steering wheel.

Thanks for the help.

I have a sears craftsman ridding mower also with a 25 hp I have had it for 6 years when you are done mowing turn on the water hose point under mower with blade going the water will clean the bottom and help reduce the stress the mower is under. Just a thought

[Bigwoods]

I guess I shouldn't complain so much about the mower. It has a joy stick and that is suppose to be so easy and cool, but after an hour or so of pushing forward it gets to you and is not very relaxing.


I think my greatest fear is when the hydraulics go bad the cost to replace is about $700 a side.

I like the idea of the Craftsman.

[Dale M.]

Well I have 5 acres and about 3 are mowable and after a few hours on my JD 48 inch rider a steering wheel ain't no fun either..... Maybe a few design mods on "joystick" might make it easier on you....

Just picked up a 24 inch bear cat weed whacker (wheeled type) and has same issues with it running badly, removed shrouds and cleaned all the dirt, grime, dried grass out of cylinder cooling fins, 2 cycle gas and water out of tank and runs fine now.... Old boy said he felt sorry screwing me out of the $40 I paid him for it.... HAH!... Had to buy new air cleaner parts for $18... Saved me almost $400 by not having to buy new one.....



Dale

[Larwyn]

I like this one, best I ever had, it will even tow the TD......