sscotsman 186 #1 Posted March 9, 2011 Im a newbie when it comes to engines.. just bought my first Wheel Horse, a 1964 854, with an original 8HP Kohler. So tonight im cruising about the internet, reading this forum, and other tractor forums, concerning an engine that smokes upon startup, but then stops smoking after a minute or so.. Many people say "crankcase breather"..clean it..check it..replace it..etc. I find a lot of discussions about the crankcase breather, but they always start out talking about it like everyone already knows what it is! im having a hard time just finding out what it is, and how to check it or clean it! So could someone please explain a crankcase breather on a Kohler 8HP K181? Where do I find it? and how do I check it, clean it, or replace it? thanks! Scot Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mr.pipes 4 #2 Posted March 9, 2011 I am not an expert by any means but can tell you a little about them. Crankcase breathers help vent extra gasses and pressure from the crankcase. Some have a check valve or umbrella valve. A lot of small engines have a breather tube that goes to the air cleaner. The low pressure from the intake pulls the gasses back to the combustion chamber and allows the gasses to be burnt again. I know on a lot of my small tecky's the breather tube just dumps to the open air. On the K181 it should be a rectangular cover below the carb and above the fuel pump. Here is a link that may help. http://www.wheelhorseforum.com/index.php?showtopic=19102 Also, if you google "Kohler Small Engines"with three clicks you can download the whole 137pg service manual Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sscotsman 186 #3 Posted March 9, 2011 Thanks Pipes.. so when I find this breather tube, what do I do with it? can something block it? does it get dirty? I guess I will just have to go and take a look at it! (not tonight though..my garage and driveway are my workshop, and its 25 degres and sleeting out..maybe this weekend!) Scot Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kelly 1,031 #4 Posted March 10, 2011 It's not hard but, more involved than just a tube, most Kohlers have a cover with a slot stamped in it, like a louver, you need to remove the carb, to take the breather apart and service it, as you take the parts out take notes on what goes in first, and up and down, inside and out, it makes a differnce on most of the parts, get a copy of the manual, to be sure it was not put together wrong before, I had one someone installed the plate upside down and caused it to fill with oil and made a mess. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
