Ford LGT 125 K301 Engine troubles!!!! Help!!!!

got9lbs · May 11, 2009

I have a 1972 Ford LGT 125 hydro with a 12 hp kohler 301, my mechanic at work rebuilt the motor this past winter. I haven't used this tractor in 10 years or better and hasn't ran since then, it was my grandpa that was given to me after he passed away 2 years ago. 1st I was testing it out at our shop and it seems to bog down with the pto on and in low gear cutting. I read the service manual and adjusted the governor. I don't know how powerful this motor is since it has been so long. Also I don't think it has a stock muffler on it, right now its a 4" round pancake looking thing, I called the local dealer today and to get the correct muffler parts will be around $200.00, Im wondering if this muffler is hurting performance(but this is also the muffler that was on it when I was a kid cutting my grandpas yard)

2nd-It is blowing a ton of smoke out the crankcase breather, and I can feel a bunch of air rushing out is this normal?

What do I need to check out if anything?

Thanks,

Karl

joe csuti · May 11, 2009

The 4" round muffler is more or less the standard oem muffler for the K series eng(have same on each of the 4-301's I have),remove breather valve & check that same isn't stuck open,although from what you say I suspect you problem may go deeper,judgeing from age of eng,-What type of rebuild was done on same?,if just new rings & clean/reseat valves,I would suspect blowby past rings & worn valve guides,most eng that old usually need a rebore & os piston/ring set and possibly other internal parts,valve tappet clearance should also be checked,if your mech at work has a compression tester,have him check & compare with specs in manual.

El Toro · May 11, 2009

Did he rebore the block and install a new piston and rings? Hal

lucas boy · May 11, 2009

the inner plate on the valve cover has an oil drain hole that must be open and on the bottom,or oil will fill up there

got9lbs · May 11, 2009

I cannot remember all the parts I picked up for him. I will find the list tommorrow. I know that he just honed the block and did not bore it. I will also do a compression test and post the results.

Kentb of SWMO · May 12, 2009

If you are getting blue smoke out the crankcase breather, YOU HAVE A TON OF BLOW-BY. Sounds to me as if the block need boreand a new oversize piston and ring set installed. IF a K-series Kohler has .003 inches or more tapper in the cylinder YOU MUST RE-BORE.

Kent

zak in WMI · Jun 8, 2009

My brother has a simplicity with a Kohler 301 that smokes like a banshee out the breather all of the sudden. I just freshened up the top end (honed cyl. and all new rings). I'm not sure if this is a valve guide issue or what. The cylinder seems to be in good shape, still has cross hatch on it, valves and their seats look good too. This thing wants to blow the dipstick right out of the motor. I have no idea where all this pressure came from so fast. Have a feeling my budget rebuild is coming back to haunt me. Probably time for a re-bore for both of us.

Ford LGT 125 K301 Engine troubles!!!! Help!!!!

got9lbs

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joe csuti

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El Toro

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lucas boy

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got9lbs

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Kentb of SWMO

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zak in WMI

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