Kohler Command problem??

[Racinbob 12,203]

Rather than assuming the fetal position in a corner and crying because I'm not on my way to the big show I decided to give my 2005 Classic GT a treat by pulling all the tins off the engine and removing the major body parts so I could give it an extra special cleaning and a fresh coat of wax. I noticed something for the first time when I removed the air cleaner cover. There was enough oil in the air cleaner to cause it to run to the low point. There is a rubber tube running from the OHV cover to the air cleaner to suck fumes but this seems excessive to me. The engine is a Kohler Command CH-15. I did a quick check in the service manual and it doesn't address this. The motor runs great and doesn't burn any oil. Anybody have any ideas?

[SousaKerry 503]

Polution control.  My KT-17 series II has the same thing.  I am sure one could pull the tube out plug the hole and run the tube to the bottom of the frame.  You would have to try it to see if it runs any different.  Older Kohlers just exauhsted these gasses to atmosphere and some oil alwyas was dripping from the vent in the valve cover.  The tube just gives this somewhere to go and be burnt, if you are getting more blowby past the rings then in the past(normal wear) you will see more oil in the air cleaner as more crankcase pressure is pushing more oil past the reed valve in the valve cover.  You will see this effect long before you start to notice blue smoke. 

 

Also you could take the valve cover off and check the condition of the reed valve and wading material it could be that something has deteriorated allowing more oil to seep past.  I have not worked on any command series engines so I may be full of crap but this is general engine theory.

[Jparkes43 329]

I removed my crankcase breather amd allowed it to vent it to the atmosphere not only does it allow for your problem to be emitted it gives a bit more power amd runs smoother and cleaner.

Attached is a pic if this may be an option of you

James

Or you could run a line to an oil catch can away from the engine and then regularly empty the catch can but it is up to you

Edited June 18, 2014 by Jparkes43

[Racinbob 12,203]

Thanks SK. I sure hope it's not wear because this motor has less than 200 hours on it and I've been anal about maintenance. I don't know much about Commands either but it sounds to me like you might be on to something with the reed valve. Do you know if the reed valve sticking could cause a drop in oil pressure? The reason I ask is that recently I would start her up to mow the yard. The oil light went out quickly as normal. But after mowing I would shut it down for a few minutes to blow it off then restart to put it in the barn. That hot restart would cause the oil light to go out quickly like normal but then it would come back on for a couple seconds before it flickered out again. I hate idiot lights and am thinking about putting a mechanical pressure gauge on it.

[Racinbob 12,203]

Thanks for the pic. That's an idea but since this started suddenly I'd like to find the issue. I don't mind it trying to reburn the oil as long as things are normal.

[Jparkes43 329]

I have a mechanical oil pressure gauge and It is very nice, I replaced it for the exact same reason as you..

James

Thanks for the pic. That's an idea but since this started suddenly I'd like to find the issue. I don't mind it trying to reburn the oil as long as things are normal.

Glad I could help.

Edited June 18, 2014 by Jparkes43

[Racinbob 12,203]

I like that. Now you know exactly what's going on with the pressure. I'm going to find one that comes as close to matching the voltmeter as I can.

[Jparkes43 329]

I like that. Now you know exactly what's going on with the pressure. I'm going to find one that comes as close to matching the voltmeter as I can.

Here's is my one I used, you can also buy a volt gauge from here so it will be a matching pair you don't have to buy them all

James

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-52mm-Car-LED-Boost-Water-Oil-Temperature-Oil-Pressure-Tachometer-Volt-Gauge-/271275969498?pt=UK_Other_Clothing_Protection&var=&hash=item3f294ecbda

This is a good breather filter if you want one

James

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Universal-12mm-Breather-Filter-ideal-for-Oil-Catch-Tank-Air-Crankcase-Vent-Blue-/360892455795?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item5406dddb73

And if you want a catch can them this is something of what you need (you can make one yourself)

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Polished-Aluminium-Oil-Catch-Tank-with-Breather-/301212105416?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item4621a3fac8

Hope I could help

James

Edited June 18, 2014 by Jparkes43

[Racinbob 12,203]

Thanks, I like those. I am a stickler about things matching. He's out of stock on everything but the voltmeter right now. He also doesn't show that he ships to this side of the pond. I'm looking at my options in the Summit catalog now and I'm going to check a couple of stores tomorrow. I also want to put a tee in the setup so the idiot light will still work.

[Jparkes43 329]

Thanks, I like those. I am a stickler about things matching. He's out of stock on everything but the voltmeter right now. He also doesn't show that he ships to this side of the pond. I'm looking at my options in the Summit catalog now and I'm going to check a couple of stores tomorrow. I also want to put a tee in the setup so the idiot light will still work.

He does ship to America look

James

But I'm not sure when they get more stock tough

Did you like my other suggestions

Also they have lights

Edited June 18, 2014 by Jparkes43

[Racinbob 12,203]

All good ideas James. Thanks. The seller with the voltmeter, zsjladyshop, didn't show USA in his list of places he'd ship to. I may have missed it. I had to stop working on it for today. Tomorrow or I'm going to take a look at the reed valve and see if there's anything to it. Being a nut for gauges I am going to put one on it.

[Jparkes43 329]

All good ideas James. Thanks. The seller with the voltmeter, zsjladyshop, didn't show USA in his list of places he'd ship to. I may have missed it. I had to stop working on it for today. Tomorrow or I'm going to take a look at the reed valve and see if there's anything to it. Being a nut for gauges I am going to put one on it.

Ok that's fine, glad I could help, I like gauges myself but I auctautly took of my idiot lights because they were broken and blinked when there was nothing wrong.

James