Motor Head110 7 #1 Posted May 7, 2013 K181 is knocking really loud. Any ideas? It still runs but i dont like the knocking so i ain't runnin' it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MarkPalmer 81 #2 Posted May 8, 2013 Good idea to stop running it. Excessive wear on the crankpin and rod bearing are likely the culprits, and on the K181 the one rod bolt will srart hitting the camshaft when this happens making the loud knock. If you keep running it the cam will break. Best to open it up and investigate what's going on. -Mark- Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Motor Head110 7 #3 Posted May 8, 2013 I did start it up again once to hear the noise it was making. (oops) It got MUCH louder. I had just rebuilt this during the winter. Everything was tight. I just can't think of anything thats wrong! Mark, as much as it hurts me to do it... I guess ill tear it down the next time I have time to. Thanks! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WH nut 553 #4 Posted May 8, 2013 Make sure you put the oil hole on the rod towards the cam ot they wont last Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MarkPalmer 81 #5 Posted May 8, 2013 It had to be one of a few things. Either what WH Nut said above, something came loose, (rod cap) or some part(s) weren't toleranced close enough at re-assembly. I've seen many fellows put these engines back together without measuring the crankpin for out of roundness just assuming it was good and throwing a new rod on, and if its too far out of round it doesn't take long at all for things to beat themselves to death again. -Mark- Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Motor Head110 7 #6 Posted May 8, 2013 it doesn't take long at all for things to beat themselves to death again. -Mark- Thats the thing. I rebuilt it during the fall/winter season. I run the tractor for at least 16hrs a week. shouldnt it have happened sooner? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Motor Head110 7 #7 Posted May 9, 2013 O.K! Bad news! Today, I took off the tin and took off the drive belt and have narrowed it down to this: THE CRANK BEARING! Is there anyway to get to this easly? If so how do i get it out? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MarkPalmer 81 #8 Posted May 9, 2013 You can try removing the flywheel and front bearing plate, then use a puller to get the bearing off the crank. But it's easiest to remove the crank, and that way both ball bearings can be replaced. It's rare for these bearings to fail. -Mark- Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Motor Head110 7 #9 Posted May 12, 2013 I know its been a few days.. But, I got tired of looking at it sit in the garage... so I went out and got a green (EW!) Kohler off of a John Deere 110. (I know its off a deere) so, Im going to paint-er-up and throw it on. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MarkPalmer 81 #10 Posted May 13, 2013 Nothing to be ashamed of. Last year when rebuilding my original engine off the 867 I discovered the block got a hairline crack in it by the dipstick falling in it, along with all the other damage. I found a good seasoned block off a '66 Deere 110 that I rebuilt and am running now- painted red of course -Mark- Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cjsdad 18 #11 Posted May 14, 2013 Something else to look at is the camshaft. I rebuilt my K-181 after the rod broke and after just a few hours it also developed a terribly loud knock. When the rod broke it cracked the camshaft and after a few hours of running the crack separated and wore enough clearance for the cam to split. When the cam breaks the ragged ends can keep it "keyed" together but as it wears away it will begin to slip. Mine was jumping forward and backward and the knock was the sound of the valves slamming shut. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MarkPalmer 81 #12 Posted May 14, 2013 Something else to look at is the camshaft. I rebuilt my K-181 after the rod broke and after just a few hours it also developed a terribly loud knock. When the rod broke it cracked the camshaft and after a few hours of running the crack separated and wore enough clearance for the cam to split. When the cam breaks the ragged ends can keep it "keyed" together but as it wears away it will begin to slip. Mine was jumping forward and backward and the knock was the sound of the valves slamming shut. That is one of the things with the K181 in particular. Excessive rod bearing or crankpin wear or rod breakage damages its cam more easily than on any of the other K series engines as the clearance is very tight. It can only be a tiny crack put in the cam that takes time to break all the way through, and even then the engine can still run although with much more noise and poor performance. When a K181 starts to knockin' it needs to be shut down right away. -Mark- -Mark- Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Motor Head110 7 #13 Posted May 16, 2013 Well, thanks everyone! I got er' painted red and now all i have to do is test fire. And will u guys give me your opinion? Which would sound better? A custom stack> <Or a Nelson "coffee can" muffler? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fordiesel69 271 #14 Posted May 16, 2013 Coffee can type. Save the ear drums over the cool sound. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Motor Head110 7 #15 Posted May 20, 2013 One last question: The governer was wrong on this motor. How do I adjust it and put it back together? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WH nut 553 #16 Posted May 20, 2013 Loosen the nut on govenor linkage rotate shaft to left and tighten linkage Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Motor Head110 7 #17 Posted May 20, 2013 I have been trying to do that but it seems like I need 3 hands to do it! hmm... mabey i will recruit some help tonight! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MarkPalmer 81 #18 Posted May 20, 2013 I use a pair of needle-nose pliers to hold the shaft in place when tightening the lock nut. Rod between governor arm and throttle needs to be in place. -Mark- Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fordiesel69 271 #19 Posted May 21, 2013 This thread really needs some pics. If not a video. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
