Please Listen to my K301 and Identify Sound

[mattd860 162]

My 12hp K301 engine is making an odd sound at certain rpms. I haven't taken the engine shroud off yet to see if there's anything loose near the flywheel but I do suspect the sound you will hear in the video is related to either the piston or carbon buildup.

Over all - the engine is healthy, strong, and doesn't smoke. However the noise bothers be and I need to know if I should tear down the motor and rebuild it before it grenades itself.

When watching the video, you can very Cleary hear the knocking sound at 1 minute and 12 seconds (1:12).

Video::

http://s45.photobucket.com/albums/f77/matt...=P1030033-1.mp4

[B-8074 19]

The link won't open for me. Not sure if anyone else has had a problem opening it. But I would take the motor tins off and check for any thing loose, also if you have an air compressor you should blow out the dirt from behind the flywheel. Also does it make the noise all the time or when the motor is warmed up? It could be dirt build up in the engines fins and the motor is getting to hot making the oil to thin.

[mattd860 162]

ok give it another try - i fixed the link. if it doesn't work please let me know. Thanks!

[MaineDad 86]

Sounds like a valve ticking on my laptop...

[520HC 208]

Sounds like rod noise to Me.

[rmaynard 15,964]

First sound (at idle) sounds like valve tap or a little piston slap. The second sound (at higher speed), sounds like connecting rod/crank pin.

Don't take that as gospel, as I am listening on my laptop with tiny speakers. However, the sounds are identical to what I was hearing in my K241AS and it turned out to be a worn exhaust valve shaft, piston slap (out of round cylinder), and connecting rod knock (crank pin worn more at top dead center).

Just my 2 cents worth.

Bob

[Jim_M 179]

Hard to say for sure just from listening to a video but it sounds like a rod to me. If it happened all at once, the rod cap bolts may have come loose. I wouldn't run it like that, you might end up with a window in the block.

[SkyhawkTL 19]

Sounds like a valve, or cam follower at first - but when you unload the engine it has connecting rod all over it. Either way, I'd take it apart before the it takes itself apart. :thumbs:

[Coadster32 793]

Unless it's something easy and you say duh, I wouldn't run it. Tear it apart and find out for sure. I think if the cylinder was out of round like that, it would prob. smoke. If it was a bad valve issue, I think the same. If it is the cap coming loose on the rod, it wouldn't smoke, but will cause you a big problem soon. I'd take off the pan and check that first. Keep us posted and good luck.

[Ken B 3,166]

Its hard too tell from just a video and the only way too find out for sure is to take it apart.

[mattd860 162]

Alright thanks for all the help. I'll tear down the motor in the coming weeks once I finish moving into my new house and let you all know.

[Docwheelhorse 2,689]

My vote is a rod.... but you might be in luck---I had a Kohler 8 that sounded worst than that and it indeed was the rod but was the wrist pin end that was all worn. A fresh rod, piston and rings and it quieted right up.... Its still running 20 years later. Another possibility is those dang flyweights that run the automatic de-compression. I've heard those make so bad sounding noises too...

Tony

[WheelHorse_of_course 99]

If it is the rod, then you may be able to not a problem by rotating with your hand in a jiggle kind of way. If you feel play between the two directions it is the rod.

Keep us posted

:thumbs:

[rickv1957 73]

Piston slap in a old kohler with lots of hours is common,Rick

[Arndts small engine repair 0]

HI i think i would check the rod cap ! just to be safe you dont wount to put it out the side of the block ! cheaper to look at it now ! and fix ! but good luck on it ! :D

[WH nut 553]

Tear it down, It will be obvious