How are the Kawasaki FD620D Liquid Twins on 520Lxi?

[Fordiesel69 270]

Specifically the engine, how are these in terms of durability?  Picked up a GT20 and this runs like a swiss watch.  Engine runs unbeleivably smooth.  Anything to look out for with these engines like water pumps, cams, head gaskets, or any weak areas that need addressed?

[RED-Z06 2,491]

FD engines produced prior to mid 1998 had plastic cam gears, the water pump gear, and oil pump gears are plastic.  Water pumps last about 900hrs, dont let anything happen to the radiator...($$).  If the oil gets diluted from fuel, or water, or just nasty from neglect..they would chew up the main bearings and seize.

 

 

[Fordiesel69 270]

This was a sept 2000 production.  

[Damien Walker 247]

Mine runs beautifully. I acquired the tractor essentially for parts, with an engine that had been diagnosed by the local stealer as 'corroded'...and therefore unrepairable. 'Best buy a new machine from us then'. The previous owner stated that it would run, could drive a short distance, but certainly couldn't mow. There was no oil in the water and no water in the oil so I ran it and yes it was fairly awful. If it cut out, it probably wouldn't restart. On opening the float chamber in the carburettor, I found what could only be described as a bird's nest (albeit a very small one!). After cleaning, it ran beautifully for a week and then reverted to as before. I checked the carburettor and it had a lot of junk in it again. After another clean and a new fuel filter, it runs like a Swiss watch, especially on tickover and has done now for months. Someone had also messed with the electric fuel pump. The electrical connectors were very poorly crimped on and this was the cause of some of the running problems. I'm not sure how many hours the oil has done (not many but possibly 10-15 since I bought it), and still looks like golden syrup.