K301 with slight oil burn

[Southerncannuck 73]

My Kohler K301 (C-125) emits a small cloud of blue smoke when I throttle up after it's been idling for a bit.  I suspect either rings or valve guides. My question is can I remove the cylinder off the block to have it machined? I don't want to get involved in the crank, or any of the lower unit. But if it's a top end only I'll get on it after the fishing season. (the tractor is a tug for the fishing boat)

[Achto 29,408]

The cylinder is not removable on the K301 it is part of the block. Some have removed the oil pan, unbolted the rod and pulled the piston out and machined the cylinder then cleaned every thing up and reassembled the engine. This is not the method I prefer, I believe you should only machine a bare block. Even lapping the valves should be done with the block bare to ensure that you can get every thing clean again. If you don't want to pull it apart now try changing your oil to a 50/50 mix of 30wt and Lucas oil treatment. This worked for my K241, it thickens the oil up enough to stop the smoke.

[Tuneup 1,452]

Some may argue otherwise and I am no certified mechanic but my experience with worn valve guides deals primarily where the oil is fed by gravity (overhead valve) and a decelerating engine's high vacuum pulls the oil through the guide. With a flat head running vertical, less likelihood? Also, at throttle up, you are increasing compression dramatically so rings are stressed. I vote rings. Like achto says, the bottom comes off so the rod can be disconnected and you can pull the piston through the top. Engine must be removed - at least on my C-125 with the vibro-mounting. You would want to lap the valves anyhoo with the head off. Replace the piston and rings with a kit and watch that grit from the honing! As achto said, best to just have it where you can wash it down. That grit gets places! Maybe if you don't have to do it, you don't? A little smoke never hurt anyone, except an EPA regulator.