Ed Fox 20 #1 Posted June 3, 2020 Hello everyone. Hope all is well with this crazy time we're in. I have a 312-8 with e 12HP Kohler engine. Have almost 700hrs on it. The engine was making an odd noise so I took a few minutes today to take a a look at it. Any idea whats going on here? Thanks Ed cliped kohler video_Trim.mp4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pfrederi 17,163 #2 Posted June 3, 2020 Disconnect the drive belt to make sure the noise isn't from an idler pulley or something beyond the engine.... 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bottjernat1 2,189 #3 Posted June 3, 2020 or Ouch!! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevasaurus 22,235 #4 Posted June 3, 2020 It does sound like it is on the outside of the engine. Three seconds is not a lot of time to listen, but the engine idle sounds good. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Fox 20 #5 Posted June 3, 2020 I pulled the drive disc assembly for the deck off. With the clutch in that eliminates the idler for the gear box. Still making the noise. It defiantly sounds internal. I bought this tractor with about 600hrs on it 2 years ago. It was making the noise then but it sounded more like a slight rattle coming from behind the flywheel screen. This year with aprox 100 more hours on it I thought it sounded like it was getting worse. Sorry for the short video, I took a 6 second video but it wouldn't let me upload it. Said it was too big. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevasaurus 22,235 #6 Posted June 3, 2020 You have to upload videos to You-Tube and then copy and paste the URL. Then we could listen for as long as you want. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bill D 1,614 #7 Posted June 3, 2020 Sounds like balance gear rattle. Stop running it before it blows. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 38,978 #8 Posted June 3, 2020 That sure sounds like something outside the engine to me 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Fox 20 #9 Posted June 3, 2020 Thank you, this is a link to a longer video Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Fox 20 #10 Posted June 3, 2020 Ok, lets try it this way. Sorry, out of practice with web type forums. Ive gotten extremely lazy with fb. Engine noise Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 38,978 #11 Posted June 3, 2020 With the longer video and being able to see the belt, it does sound like the gears. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Fox 20 #12 Posted June 3, 2020 Thank you, I just watched a video on the installation and timing from isavetractors. Are they a reliable source for these parts and should I assume i need the gear assembly or could it possibly be just the bearings? Thank you!!! Ed Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 38,978 #13 Posted June 3, 2020 Take the balance gears out and leave them out. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Fox 20 #14 Posted June 3, 2020 1 minute ago, squonk said: Take the balance gears out and leave them out. Were these bonus freebie items? Just not needed? I'm all about not having to spend money, just asking. Thank you! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Fox 20 #15 Posted June 3, 2020 I googled it and found this. Thank you very much Squonk! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 38,978 #16 Posted June 3, 2020 They were not really needed. Search balance gears here. Read this: http://gardentractorpullingtips.com/balance.htm 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevasaurus 22,235 #17 Posted June 3, 2020 I agree with Mike...thanks for the longer video. I've dealt with Isavetractors...they were excellent. Many have used them, I have not heard of any dis-satisfied. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pacer 3,160 #18 Posted June 3, 2020 (edited) Thats a serious rattle!! and indeed it does sound like the infamous "grenade Gears" While it is a pretty simple procedure to jerk the gears out, I would suggest going ahead and do a check on the crank/cylinder/valves/etc. Very little more work at that point. When I did the couple engines I had I went ahead and pulled the piston/rod out for an inspection as I had got the engines used and knew nothing about their history. On my K361 not only was the gears very loose, the crank had about .003-4 wear but cylinder was good. Since I dont have any where to get a crank ground I elected to just try a new rod and do rings also (one of those import rebuild kits - very inexpensive and Ive had good luck with them) Was lucky and the new rod/piston/rings and absence of the gears made a huge difference in the engine. Edited June 3, 2020 by pacer 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tractorhead 8,611 #19 Posted June 3, 2020 Uuuuaaahhh, that sounds horrible - I‘m also in at remove the balance gears. it seems they may have caries. i have not much experiences with kohler Engines, but i have some experiences with the old 250 and 350ccm single Honda Engines they had also counterbalance gears. I tuned several Engines of them in my Quadbike and my first step when i did Engine tuneup, remove that gears. Than recheck the balance of the cam/ piston itself and just than go further. they gears rapidly quits in a tuned engine as first parts. if you unsure about the balancing, let check the balance of camshaft and piston in a Engine workshop But for normal rpm engine i see no real senseful reason and i doubt it was that urgently need. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lee1977 6,231 #20 Posted June 3, 2020 Take them out or they will come out on their own and leave a nice size hole in the side of the block. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Fox 20 #21 Posted June 4, 2020 That was it. I had to bust the lower gear out by splitting it with a chisel. I worked at it for a good 10 minutes and no matter how I positioned it you just couldn't get it off of the pin. Thank you all for your help!! Kindest regards Ed 4 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Fox 20 #22 Posted June 4, 2020 Just another pic 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bill D 1,614 #23 Posted June 4, 2020 Wow, you got lucky. Now go buy a lotto ticket. Remember me if you win😁. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tractorhead 8,611 #24 Posted June 4, 2020 2 hours ago, Bill D said: Wow, you got lucky. Now go buy a lotto ticket. Remember me if you win😁. Huh? No, buy a second horse instead.. 😂 they tend to herd.... i see exactly what i heared caries. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pacer 3,160 #25 Posted June 4, 2020 GAH!! I bet you didnt have another 20-30 mins run time before that 'grenade' went off and that couldve been ...bad!! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
