4 Common oil leaks on Kawaskai & Kohler engines. Commercial & Residential mowers.

[@Mechanical_Mind]

To find tools, shop equipment, mower parts and more, you can find them at my store. Click this link: www.amazon.com/shop/mechanicalmind I'll get a commission on the sale at no extra cost to you. It's a great way to help the channel and get the items you need.

[@dennisthornburgh2113]

Once again, invaluable information.

[@Mechanical_Mind]

Thanks for watching Dennis

[@charlesburdette7497]

Always a learning experience

[@lror]

On my 200hr fx801v one of the oil cooler lines split while mowing on a steep gradient. By the time i realized something was wrong it had done catastrophic damage, conrod in pieces and block damaged beyond repair. Anyway purchased a fx850v to replace it and will keep an eye on this. I wonder if those hoses can be replaced with braided steel hoses?

[@sherazwilliam1358]

Only vid to show in details. Hats off

[@squeaky61]

Thank you for the information and great videos. I hope you continue to post

[@stephensvetlovics3218]

Great video 😊😊. Just sent it to a friend to help him find his leak !!!

[@mikehoncho7226]

I had a 2006 residential 100 series John Deere with the Briggs and Stratton engine. Sold it with almost 600 hours on it. Never leaked oil. Replaced it with an S240 with the Kawasaki. With only 50 hours on it I am finding oil on the mower deck and floor of my garage. I haven't identified the source yet, but WTF? Great video, thank you for sharing your wisdom.

[@Mechanical_Mind]

Thanks for watching. I always tell people the v twin briggs engines are pretty reliable and trouble free. The layer model single cylinder Briggs engines not so much..

[@MassiverFreak]

Thanks for taking the time to make this video and sharing the info. Well done.

[@dhos83]

Love these videos!

[@Mechanical_Mind]

Thank you!

[@MarlinWertz]

Video was very helpful but mine was the oil drain system was 30mm lower than the mounting plate so I had to make a 50mm shim to raise the motor for clearance. 5:29

[@alanshaw6161]

invaluable information. I just bought a new 2024 Kubota Z781 with the 850V EFI engine. That job will be easier for me because Kubota mounts the 850 sideways in the Z781 so the oil cooler and oil filter are facing the back of the mower. It's way easier to get to. I don't have to work in the confined space you were working in. Plus I'm 3 to 5 years out on that repair hopefully.🙂

[@DewongLucas]

Thanks again for more great info. I have a Z950M and the burst cooler hose was found out too late. Now it needs a new engine. Unfortunately it's back ordered with no ETA.

[@Mechanical_Mind]

That's terrible news about the engine wait time. Is it still under warranty?

[@DewongLucas]

@@Mechanical_Mind unfortunately not. It was run without oil.

[@ThePhotographyHobbyist]

Mine was leaking around the oil cooler vicinity, but it wasn't the hose. It was simply that the old clamps wouldn't hold the hose tight enough to keep it from leaking. I ended up replacing those factory clamps with some small worm screw style clamps. I did confirm the oil cooler was flowing freely (no clog) and the hoses were fine (not very brittle). The clamps were my issue. That being said, I may spring for a new set of hoses and use some new clamps like they come with from the factory. While there's no hole in the hoses and they don't seem overly brittle, they may be brittle enough that it caused the original clamps to not be able to squeeze them tight enough anymore.

[@Mechanical_Mind]

I've done the screw worm type clamps in a pinch and it will work for awhile but I'd recommend changing those hoses like you mentioned with the stock style clamps. Thanks for watching! 🍻

[@ThePhotographyHobbyist]

@@Mechanical_Mind I ordered the two hoses and four new clamps today for about $40. It’s worth having the peace of mind

[@Mechanical_Mind]

@@ThePhotographyHobbyist definitely worth it!

[@ThePhotographyHobbyist]

My Z960M sits in the air conditioned basement 24/7 when it's not in use mowing our property, so it's in great shape except for normal use. I know those hoses get hot and will eventually cause them to harden. The only issues I've had since I bought this machine at the end of 2016 was the fuel shutoff solenoid on the carb, these oil hoses leaking and two idler pulleys with bad bearings (probably from me washing the machine and getting water in them). That engine is a beast, but it's a little thirsty (gas). Mowing my land which has hills ends up using a little over 5 gallons of gas in about 2.5 hours or so. I wish it was fuel injected. I really want to replace it some day with a one of those X758 4x4 lawn tractors with the diesel engine. @@Mechanical_Mind

[@THEDADDY7770]

Hi, Great video, did you ever make the video on the oil pan gasket.

[@jefffrayer8238]

But, But, what about different options, pros & cons for those leaky oil drains? Maybe metal drains? You changed the o-rings on the factory drain but can the plastic get brittle like the oil cooler hoses and break off? Excellent video for sure and Thanks for sharing your knowlege and important tips.

[@Mechanical_Mind]

The best alternative is to simply replace the entire drain valve with a solid threaded plug.

[@mikeallen2861]

Good info. Thanks buddy. I guess I need to stop by and give you a hard time at the shop….😂🤣😂🤣😆

[@Mechanical_Mind]

I know your mower is leaking all over the place! 🤣

[@mikeallen2861]

@@Mechanical_Mind of course… I’m saving it so you can have fun replacing all the oil lines…😂😂

[@alfredlyman2628]

You forgot to mention reinstalling the backing plate on the oil cooler when reassembling other then that great video

[@martywheat9726]

Great video i had the same problem

[@Graham-e9t]

Hi and many thanks

[@Dblood85]

Mine looks like it’s leaking from the shaft underneath. My PTO is covered in oil?

[@mikeallen2861]

Is it the same process for a 636M?

[@Rockstarlawncare]

Mine does it too, took it to dealer they keep mower for 8 hours and told me nothing was wrong but yet it leaks. Was told it was normal

[@cjbarlow61]

What is the difference between the kohler ch23 and ch23s?? I cant find it anywhere. I have the ch23s and need to buy a full rebuild kit and dont want to order the wrong one

[@Mechanical_Mind]

The S indicates it's a commercial grade engine.

[@BrendaNadal-e8x]

Where do u service mowers

[@derekpearson5644]

oil cooler line got my 850 at 2500 hours which had been replaced a time or two but it only went 5 foot past the oil trail and exploded the number 1 connecting rod

[@SWEETZ5544]

Hey I have a z915e Kohler command engine I would like to put a 27 HP Kohler command engine would it work

[@keith6872]

I would relocate oil cooler and use longer 3/8" oil hose and worm clamps. Older Harley Davidson motorcycles use same 3/8 diameter hose.

[@Mechanical_Mind]

Spring clamps are better than "worm" clamps on applications with heat and vibration. Screw / worm clamps do not expand and contract with heat and cooling off. Spring clamps do. Worm clamps will loosen with vibration also. There is a reason vehicle manufacturers don't use screw clamps anymore.

[@coreyfrische2577]

How many hours on the motor do you see failures

[@Mechanical_Mind]

Oil leaks, as low as 200 hours. Engine failures due to lack of oil: as low as 200 hours but that is not common. Most engine failures are due to lack of maintenance. Owners not checking oil levels is most common. Kohler engines on standers a few years back were having oil pans cracking. They would lose all the oil very quickly and the engine would be destroyed it the operator didn't notice

[@coreyfrische2577]

@Mechanical_Mind I have experienced the drain valve leaking twice so I keep a rebuild one on hand. My question was more towards the oil cooler lines being a preventative maintenance item. my mower has 370hrs but it's a 2018.

[@Mechanical_Mind]

The oil cooler lines give issues more around 800 hours or more.

[@ctfan1486]

I would have like to see the kohler oil leaks. I have 2 riders with 22hp. They both leak out of the drain spout. 1real bad. I put a small bucket under it cause all the oil will leak out before next mowing. Run it through a paint strainer then collect it again. The drain sprout looks like a good idea but it 3 pc and leaks at all 3 joints

[@appalachiannana7975]

Would any one buy a husqvarna if the motor sounds strong but was told all the oil was leaked out??

[@NatalieTaekwondo]

Kawasaki? They are notorious for governor shaft and breather cover leaks. In fact, they have a retrofit kit for the latter. 35 years owning a landscape company and every big Kawi motor leaked badly after a few years of use. The Kohler Command motors were MUCH more dependable.

[@johnh9507]

Why didn't you change them the first time

[@mikeadler434]

👍👍

[@redraiderrider3289]

No, no, no. All you have to do to get those hoses off the outlet pipes on the cooler is grab them lightly with a channel locks and rotate them to break the seal. Before you cry foul I have never had that trick fail me in 25 years of working in cars, motorcycles, four wheelers, lawn mowers you name it. Try it.

[@dalewiley9208]

Hmmm. Did you just make the case for electric engines? Your comments suggest some or all of these leaks are inevitable. I find that idea extremely troubling and wonder how much empirical evidence you have to support such a claim. What about Briggs and Stratton engines?

[@Mechanical_Mind]

I don't recommend going electric. That's a bridge to nowhere, and it's been proven to be worse for the environment. But that is a topic for another video. This video is simply to help people locate and be aware of these common oil leaks so they can make a repair easier and faster, not simply trying to "claim" anything against the engines. Yes, all these oil leaks will "eventually" happen. My observations are based on working primarily in commercial mowers with these engines pretty much every day for the past 4 years. It doesn't matter to me if some people choose not to believe me. If they have one of these engines, it will not be long before they do believe me.

[@dalewiley9208]

Your "tone" indicates you are defensive. I find it perplexing when a KZbinr, or anyone else for that matter, takes offense simply because someone questions the accuracy and/or basis of his/her opinions. No human is perfect.@@Mechanical_Mind

[@Mechanical_Mind]

You said you wonder how much empirical evidence I have to support such claims. I was simply answering you. "Tone" through text /type can be drastically misinterpreted. It's been said it you want to get into an argument with someone just post anything online. I get hate and disrespectful comments daily accusing me of having "motives" 🤣 I've learned not to care and that's why I added earlier that if people don't want to believe me then that's fine. Cheers 🍻

[@dalewiley9208]

Please show me in either of my posts where I was hateful or disrespectful or where I accused you of having "motives".@@Mechanical_Mind

[@Mechanical_Mind]

I wasnt accusing you man. I said I get those types of comments daily so Im used to worse so your first comment was not making mad. You only accused me of having a defensive tone. If you could hear talking you would be able to Im not be defensive or mad. Its all good bro.