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brandonozz

A couple of pics and I have a question

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brandonozz

Hello all! I would like to share a few pics with the group and ask a question about a problem with a "off brand". I use my two horses for gardening and building food plots. The first pic is a pasture area I cleared for a food plot using a C120-8 with a 36" RD deck. I was able to knock down the vegitation much faster than I thought I would be able to as you can see it is quite high. Really never bogged down the 12 hp Kohler.

Here is a pic of my recent find - a C165-8 in semi restored condition. I was looking for a snow blade and the PO had one and when I went to get the blade he offered the tractor as well. Blade has surface rust pretty bad but is in great working condition. Package deal for the blade and tractor was $300 - couldn't pass it up.

Now a question about my hydro mower I use on the lawn. This Simplicity has a Kohler Command 16 hp engine. I got back after a trip (unfortunately the wife mowed while I was gone and never noticed anything - she never does!) and went to start the mower to mow again. After starting I removed the choke and lowered the throttle and the engine reved so high I thought it would fly apart. I turned the key off to kill it and check it out - everything with the linkage seemed OK so I restarted and the engine did the same thing. To make a long story short - after looking for the problem a while I found that the two screws that hold on the butterfly plate had fell out and the throttle was wide open. Removed the carb and fished out the plate at the intake valve. Now to my question - what kind of damage should I expect from the screws going into the engine? The screws were nowhere to be found and I would expect them to be inside the engine. Anyone ever experienced this before?

post-4057-0-19172800-1333989372_thumb.jp

Thanks for the help.

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clyde

i had one the screws stuck to the top of the piston didnt do much damage, then had another customers the screw got cramned between piston and cyl. wall.

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Rooster

I have taken engines apart where the screws did little or no damage...and I have seen them totally destroy an engine.

Safe bet is to pull the head and get them out of there!

First pull carb and make sure they are not laying in the intake port...have seen that too! lol

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leeave96

I have taken engines apart where the screws did little or no damage...and I have seen them totally destroy an engine.

Safe bet is to pull the head and get them out of there!

First pull carb and make sure they are not laying in the intake port...have seen that too! lol

+1

If the engine is still running, you may have no damage. Pull the carb first, then head to find the screws. While you got head pulled, you might want to decarbon it too.

Good luck,

Bill

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brandonozz

well Ipulled the carb and installed a new throttle shaft and new screws. I didn't pull the head as a local small engine mechanic thought it wouldn't do any damage. He said they should pass thru unless they get stuck in the valves and from what I can see they already passed thru the intake - that is where the flat plate was stuck. I already put it back together and mowed the lawn and it seems to be running well but now I'm thinking pulling the head may be the way to go.

Thanks for the advice.

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546cowboy

I did have one I bought do that, My advice would be to pull the head to make sure you don't have one of those screws in the combustion chamber. It's a pretty easy thing to do and a lot less expensive than a new engine. I really wouldn't have much confidence in a mechanic who told me they usually go on through. I would rather know that one or both of them were not in there ready to ruin my piston or cylinder wall.

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CasualObserver

I didn't pull the head as a local small engine mechanic thought it wouldn't do any damage.

I don't think I'd be asking this guy too many more technical questions.

Yes... they can pass through the engine, but they can also bounce around in the cylinder for a long time scoring and dinging the crap out of your piston head and cylinder walls. PULL THE HEAD, and check. Bottom line. (and be sure to replace the head gasket, don't just re-use the old one.) :thumbs:

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mid60's

I would use thread lock on those screws too.

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bowtiebutler956

I agree with the others. I would pull the head for sure! Kohler heads are so easy to remove, I would take a few minutes, and pull it off just for peace of mind. :twocents-02cents:

Matt :flags-texas:

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Shuboxlover

HEAD GASKETS ARE CHEAP!!!!!!!!!!

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jay in nc

i had my craftsman lt1000 with a 17 hp. kohler break the throtle shaft at one of the screws it ate that screw , bounced around in the bore scored the crap out of it, i know because i borowed a boroscope from work and looked. eventuly it bounced out the exhaust. it was just 30 days out of warenty. i put a new carb on it & it has been running for 8 years like this . at least 8 hours a week, but it does use oil. i sent the carb to member commando1 last week for him to use for parts. i problay got lucky, hope you are too. Jay

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can whlvr

yes you MUST pull the head off,and maybe the valve cover,if you go to brian millers pulling site,(theres a link here somewhere)he explains you dont allways need a new head gasket,id read about if i were you,might be able to use the old one

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gwgdog66

I agree with the others. pull Carb and head and make sure.

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