Hydro 131 #1 Posted July 26, 2011 I am new to this forum. I have owned 3 wheel horse tractors, two cubs, and a JD. I bought a 92 416H 4 years ago in almost new condition with 325 hr. I serviced the tractor, properly stored it in the winter and thought I took excellent care of it. This at year at 455 hours, the valve guide went in the rear cyclinder. The cross hatching was badley worn in both cyclinders. The costs to repair exceeded the value of the unit. The more I read about the Onan 16 and 20 Hp makes me wonder if they are dependable. Some seem to last forever others not. Is the pairing of wheel horse design and Onan a bad match considering the engine is mounted longitudinal fashion. Looks to me like the back cyclinder in this application could be more prone to trouble. Do I buy another Onan or stay with the Kohler? Thanks Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
zieg72 209 #2 Posted July 26, 2011 If the engine is kept clean and oil changed regularly most get great life out of them. If there is a valve seat problem it is usually the rear cylinder. If it gets caked with grass they don't cool properly which more than likely is the problem. Another member brought to my attention that the location of the oil filter may also not help as the cool air is drawn past a hot oil filter possibly not letting the rear cylinder cool as well as it should. I hope to relocate mine when I round up the pieces. I also run a full synthetic oil that Toro recommends that is the latest/greatest supposedly... I am impressed with my P220 in my 520H Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SAM58 30 #3 Posted July 26, 2011 You have the same problem that everyone who owns an Onan probaly keeps in the back of their mind.... how long will this thing last?, The thought never cross my mine when I had all Kohler engines. I have a 520H with 340 hours and if it goes down I will repower it with a Kohler, or a Vangard B&S, or maybe a import diesel. You can buy a new engine for what it would cost to rebuild the Onan. I love my 520, the Onan has lots of power and will go anywhere (we have a lot of hills here in Kentucky) But you never know. I had a 1992 520H with 1625 hours and it started and runs smoother than my 1996 520 with 329 hours when I got it. The fellow I sold it to is using it with a 60" deck to cut a really big yard. Just my 2 cents.... Good luck. :ROTF: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LuckyJohn 0 #4 Posted July 26, 2011 If the engine is kept clean and oil changed regularly most get great life out of them. If there is a valve seat problem it is usually the rear cylinder. If it gets caked with grass they don't cool properly which more than likely is the problem. Another member brought to my attention that the location of the oil filter may also not help as the cool air is drawn past a hot oil filter possibly not letting the rear cylinder cool as well as it should. I hope to relocate mine when I round up the pieces. I also run a full synthetic oil that Toro recommends that is the latest/greatest supposedly... I am impressed with my P220 in my 520H What synthetic oil do you use? I have a 16hp that runs great and would like to keep it that away. I mow about 2.5 acres with it and I try not to do it all at once, I take the time when the grass builds up around the mower when I am mowing to keep it clean and wash it all off when I am done mowing. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hydro 131 #5 Posted July 26, 2011 I often blew my tractor off with a leave blower and I made sure the air filter was kept clean and the cylinders. I mow 1.6 acres so about 2-21/2 hours. I used Castrol GTX and changed it every spring. There was nothing sweeter than the sound of an onan at work or at an idle when it was cold. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SAM58 30 #6 Posted July 26, 2011 There was nothing sweeter than the sound of an onan at work or at an idle when it was cold. I agree, I just hope that My Onan will "Live Long and Prosper..." :woohoo: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
can whlvr 994 #7 Posted July 27, 2011 i have not owned an onan in a wheelhorse but used one on a welder generator,it ran real nice but the guy who owned it said the same as i allways hear,blew the valve seats,my neighbor who has a 520 and is a machinest has it stuck out in the feild as we speak with its second blown valve seat and he only uses it to blow snow and pull a wagon(he had to buy a homedepot green machine to mow the grass)he keeps it clean and seviced to the max and 2 engine failures.from what ive seen and heard here i would never buy an onan,but thats only my choice and there is lots of them that last,but i dont think they hold a candle to a single kohler,they just keep running and running,till the mice build a nest in the shroud :woohoo: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hydro 131 #8 Posted July 27, 2011 They must be fast mice or is that Kohler at idle?? I have lost confidence in the Onan even though I loved my 416 and I think the 520 is pretty awsome too. I'm now looking to buy the lastest Kohler Magnum, the 314H. I will be posting an add in the Wanted section. Thank you for everyone's input. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
8993-520 0 #9 Posted August 18, 2011 Very sory you guys think this about onan. I have 4 of them and all are great. Not knocking the kohler love them also but the onan is an awsome enging. They have a service life of over 4000 hours and have more torgue than anyother twin. But on the downside they do require regular cleaning. You ehave to remove the covers to do it right and put them back on so the airflow will go where it is needed. And there is the price of the parts. But I still love the sound!!!! Or you could buy a nice 520 with a bad onan and put one of the 690 series hondas on it or like my neighbor did a diesel covversion. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
