Wilsonrl48747 0 #1 Posted April 22, 2010 BAD DAY! Was tinkering around with my recently new haul C101, decided to change the oil. I took it out for a spin around the yard to warm up the oil and then parked it and drained it. While it was draining I ran up to the Auto Parts store to get oil and an air filter. While I was gone, my son decided he wanted to try out the new horse. He said he started it and drove it out of the garage and drove it for about a minute and then he heard a horrible clanking slapping sound so he shut it right down. I got home to see it sitting out in the yard and my son standing next to it looking very pale. So, when I crank the engine over with the spark plug out, I can hear a metallic clank. I figure its the rod, but I have never really torn down an engine before, so I have no clue. My question is, what kind of things could be wrong with the motor and what kind of job would it be to fix it myself vs. taking it to a shop? I guess my $200 score on the tractor is gonna cost me a lot more. Its a Kohler 10 horse. I also have a kohler 12 horse engine that needs a ring job, (or so I am told because it smokes) that I can put in the tractor, so I have options, so I need to decide the path of least resistance for right now. P.S. My son is still alive and well, but I found him searching online for information about enrolling in the witness protection program... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Save Old Iron 1,568 #2 Posted April 22, 2010 My question is, what kind of things could be wrong with the motor and what kind of job would it be to fix it myself vs. taking it to a shop? Regardless of what is wrong, the engine has to come apart for inspection - at least the oil pan has to be removed. The head can be removed for a quick and dirty bore inspection. Rebuild kits are available for 100 - 150$$ The big question is do you have enough time and confidence to rebuild it yourself. Way more difficult than screwing in a headlight - much less complicated than brain surgery. If you mike out the cylinder with a bore gauge , and its still able to be deglazed without going over max clearances for the piston to wall gap, then a rebuild kit is what you should try. If you don't understand what I just said in the last sentence, take it to the shop. This is not something that can be taught by email exchanges. Hands on and plenty of experience is the only way. A poor rebuild could punch a hole in your block and cost you the entire short block - 600 to 900$$ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mavfreak 11 #3 Posted April 22, 2010 now don't kill your son for something he didn't know. I would've been dead a long time ago. when I was ten or so my step dad told me to go mow. No problem. So i go out and do the check list like he told me, check oil, tires, and gas. I need to add gas so I grab a can and fill it up. I only get one or two passes and the tractor starts knocking and and losing power. I shut it off and go find my step dad. He looks it all over and really can't find whats wrong. Now this was a brand new sears, so he had sears come out and the technician looks it all over up and down, and says that it sounds like the valves are stuck or bent. then he sniffs the gas tank and turns to my step dad and said you didn't happen to put kerosene in the gas did you. I wanted to die that day, But I learned that the blue gas can isn't to be used for the mowers. Good luck on the engine and I hope it doesn't cost to much. I teach your son a little lesson about always checking things before using them and how to ask if there is any doubt at all. old iron is right. But you could learn with some research. And trust in your abilities Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VinsRJ 723 #4 Posted April 22, 2010 I totally agree with the above statements...... but there is only one way to learn, hands on. Time, patients and attention to detail is what is needed Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jimbotelho 1 #5 Posted April 22, 2010 Kids are kids we all go thru this it is a part of learning fix and be glad that he is interested in horses he can be doing a whole lot worse Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Save Old Iron 1,568 #6 Posted April 22, 2010 Actually the father /son thing also works out for father / daughter. You just brought back memories from 20+ years ago when one of my daughters put play sand down the oil fill hole in the Porsche engine. I learned how to rebuild that engine TWICE that year. FYI - my daughter currently works part time as a diesel mechanic so something must have clicked between the two of us that week. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mavfreak 11 #7 Posted April 22, 2010 Old Iron...That's awesome! It would be my guess you gave her more than you'll ever know in the time you spent with her. And what you got from it will last forever. We all need to realize kids do things that infuriate us at times, but to turn it into a positive learning experience is more than any monetary value that may have cost at the time, And the time spent is priceless! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
W9JAB 156 #8 Posted April 22, 2010 :omg: even without oil in the engine I would think that for a short running time you would not have tossed the rod. More likely just broke the piston ring, that can be a quick fix, as long as the cylinder wall in not to torn up. But as said before you will need to open it up. :D Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rickv1957 73 #9 Posted April 22, 2010 You may get lucky to just replace rod and polish crank,Rick Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mavfreak 11 #10 Posted April 23, 2010 Did you get to open engine yet to see whats up yet? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wilsonrl48747 0 #11 Posted April 29, 2010 Sorry, I have not even been home long enough to pull the head. Been traveling a lot for work and will be gone again this weekend. I will let you know what I find out when my son and I tackle the project. He actually seems pretty excited to help me fix it. I told him we could learn together on this one. I will keep you posted. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Horse'n Around 22 #12 Posted April 29, 2010 Sorry, I have not even been home long enough to pull the head. Been traveling a lot for work and will be gone again this weekend. I will let you know what I find out when my son and I tackle the project. He actually seems pretty excited to help me fix it. I told him we could learn together on this one. I will keep you posted. I like how you said "learn together".... it just doesnt get any better that that! Have fun with it,it sounds like the whole mess has just turned into a good father/ son project. John Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HankB 16 #13 Posted April 30, 2010 What's done is done. No harm was intended and it seems like a small mistake with consequences. That's actually something good to learn and even if the engine is toast, there are far more serious consequences that one can imagine. With no lubrication, I'd suspect the rod bearing/journal would be the first to go. The cam and follower are also at risk. If he ran it long enough w/out oil, the pistons and cylinders could also be scuffed. Hopefully he shut it down as soon as he heard unusual noises. Opening the sump and pulling a head will give you enough information to get started. But once you're that far into it, a full tear down isn't a bad idea. Good luck! PS: I've done worse. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
W9JAB 156 #14 Posted May 26, 2010 :D Never got an update! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wilsonrl48747 0 #15 Posted May 26, 2010 Sorry, I haven't gotten around to tinkering with it. I was hoping to get at it over the holiday weekend. I have been playing with my latest addition, a C-161 hydro with a 48 inch deck. I PROMISE I will let you guys know how this one comes out though. :D Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
