HOW TO Rebuild Kohler CH20 20hp Command Pro On A Budget | Oil Burning Smoking Walker Mower Engine

$150 and a day or 2 labor and you can get a second life from your v-twin. This is my budget rebuild process.

[@KurtisBarnes]

I've done rebuilds on several kohler command v-twins. I personally prefer the little red barn rings(the ones you used in this video), as the clearances where more consistent than the Kohler brand. I've actually had a few of the Kohler brand ring sets, where the oil rings fail, with in minutes of the first start up, found out they packaged some of the "Style A Piston" Oiler rings in the "Style B Piston" boxes. Was surprised how easy these motors were to rebuild.

[@outtatime4512]

The things I would do to engines if I had a shop as nice as you... Nice presentation and great job of explaining the intricacies of a rebuild. I just pulled an SV 735 today and tore it down. My nickname is Doc from my wrenching days because I have done many major surgeries on engines to keep them alive and the only difference between me and a surgeon is... I wash up after surgery😉

[@francoisdemers4089]

A lot of various skills in this video. One of the best video that I've seen as far as the how many things you can learn in 45 mins.

[@iowacorndog4789]

Great video. Really well done. Down to earth practical do-it-yourself (if possible ). Basic engine knowledge which seems to be lost these days. I felt your pain when @ 18:33 when the bolt broke. That's usually when I blow the vocabulary gasket.

[@electricrenfro1480]

i totally hear taryl in the background.

[@truckdrivinmilanr]

Yup, me too 😂

[@MBGAdventures]

Ken, you always make great videos in fine detail with repairing and rebuilding. I wish I had a quarter of your knowledge. Watching these videos inspire me to try. Great video man!

[@longbaylandscapecompany2630]

really great video. My ghs 26efi front cylinder is running hot based on idiot light and after watching this may do this myself.

[@tellitallnow3914]

Great video!! Going to tackle my 2009 27hp Kohler. These manuals you talk about, where might I find them?

[@mikecooley3361]

Good to see some quality videos on the CH series, seems to be very few around the net and even less dealing with Walker.

[@KenMrKLC]

Yea, most just replace it. Thanks

[@ugna2773]

Hey ken. Every where i look for piston and rings says discontinued. Where did you get your parts. ​@KenMrKLC

[@typowerstroke1910]

hi ken, love the videos, are the rings you used oem or are they aftermarket?

[@chrishall8142]

Good to do a before and after compression test Run before and after with the breather hose off or oil fill cap off to see blow bye difference

[@KenMrKLC]

Yes I wish I did. To date the motor is running like new and hasn't used any noticeable amount of oil and hasn't smoked. I only have about 60 hours on it so far. I will do a follow up next season and so on to see how long it lasts. My guess is 2 full seasons (about 1000 hours) before it will need replaced.... At that point I will most likely replace entire motor, as a rebuild then would only be worse with more cylinder wear.

[@scorpio3x3]

Thanks for the video, I have a Cub Cadet with this engine that needs done before spring. You sped through the part after taking the pistons out, seems like you may have talking about keeping them oriented correctly? Other than that big thanks, this will be my first rebuild.

[@jejch]

I too, am very curious as to what Ken was saying when he pulled those pistons out?

[@jeffphelps2080]

Sounds like you were listening to Taryl fixes all!

[@KenMrKLC]

Possible... is one of my regular channels along with Andrew Camarata (favorite), Mustie1, South Main Auto, Brians Mobile1, Deboss Garage.... Lots of great stuff

[@jejch]

Andrew Camarata and Taryl Dactyl are two of my favorites as well. And now KLC is also one of my favorites 🙂

[@philwarner6604]

I was hoping you would dismantle the relief valve because I need to see how the oil pressure system is set up and whether mine might have a bad relief valve. It stopped making oil pressure and I hoped that the pump had somehow just lost its prime so I tried squirting oil down the hole where the oil pressure switch mounts and turning the engine backward by hand, but the oil in the hole had no resistance and just went into the crank case and cranking the engine with the plugs out produced no pressure at the hole. Can I get to the relief valve by removing that assembly with four bolts you mentioned and is there something else I can check on the oil pump without disassembling the whole engine?

[@Mowtivated1]

Where did you get the rings and gaskets? Doing kohler ch-18s rebuild now. Great video bro

[@KenMrKLC]

Ebay

[@paulthompson1654]

Where did u get your parts /head gasket kits from .?? Out side usa these are very expensive on parts . I have a 725cc 25 hp command pro . That walker is a MT with oval muffler so its an ealier unit like mine . Kohlers have a 33 degree hone pattern . I replaced my Nikilsil bores with cast iron sleeves and honed till normal 45 degree cross hatch . I replaced with automotive rings from a Mazda 4cyl no oil usage at all .I use semisynthetic oil . The Pcv filter was animal hair replace with brass mesh from a 60`s or 70`s valve cover breather filter . The old black pcv tubes tear and let in dust there is a later high temp rubber hose .

[@wadepatton2433]

Hope that's all that's wrong with my 15hp single. It starts and runs fine but blows too much smoke. I'm about to yank it off and apart. It's on an ancient Scag, in the place of the OEM Kawasaki (Kohler was on it when I got it 20 years ago). We'll see. Thanks.

[@philliphall5198]

The GX630 rings don’t last very long and have to be replaced, but it has replaceable rod brging also 😊

[@spiceyfrenchtoast9421]

Honda?

[@ugna2773]

Boring it out and getting alittle bigger piston and rings isnt worth it? Just asking. I have an engine sitting in my garage and another engine on my walker that was brand new 2 yrs ago. Its still runs amazing except for the carb sticking which is causing the engine to rev stupid. Anyways im thinging of sending my old engine block and getting it bored. What do you think guys?

[@jakeblaha9233]

Any chance we could get the brand of parts you used? I know allot of people say use OEM would be interesting to know your take. Thanks for the video, I've been wanting to attempt this but lacked confidence. I think I might attempt it after seeing this.

[@KenMrKLC]

This particular kit was not oem, it was bought on ebay... Being only gaskets, seals and rings I have had good luck with 4 stroke parts aftermarket... If I was buying the pistons or more hard parts too I may consider oem... But the whole idea is a second life of the motor on the cheap... Its not a lot of money to lose and def worth the effort in my opinion over a $2-3k new motor. You could buy oem spend a little more and prob get a little better quality parts .... but then there is more $ at risk so I would have actually went the whole way and had cylinders machined etc.. By general rule OEM parts are usually better but there are many good aftermarket parts out there. Just do a little research on the brand before purchase

[@philliphall5198]

I use eBay kits but on big high dollar honda like GX 630 it’s oem

[@tonyisaac4578]

I have just the opposite problem on a CH740, no oil burning but it knocks. Worse when it’s cold, gets better when it’s hot. Sometimes. Very likely a piston knocking? Or a rod at the wristpin? Bottom end of rods are good. Excellent oil pressure. Can it be rebuilt? You’re like me. You try to save money where you can. These engines are $3000+ new.

[@philliphall5198]

I m thinking over heat and piston damage New one would probably fix it

[@cjbarlow61]

If that pcv valve sticks shut will it blow the rear shaft seal out?

[@cmullen1963]

Rubber line hooking to engine breather fills hole where dirt came into engine

[@philliphall5198]

Have you tried to save a cracked block with HF aluminum rods I saved one and it’s not leaking at all Was surprised it was so easy to do

[@KenMrKLC]

I have not but i would if I get one

[@mikethepainter]

the rings are made softer with those aluminum cylinders. THe only way this engine would last longer is with steel sleeves like honda.

[@klroth025]

If this engine didn't have iron sleeves, it's life would be measured in minutes, not hours.

[@jackmorgan709]

so did you rehone the cylinders or not?

[@terrancewilliams6490]

Praying that I never have the problem with my kt 740 I'm close to 730 h

[@philliphall5198]

This summer will be the test

[@RetreatfarmFarmvilleVirginia]

I'm getting ready to swap out my same Kohler engine in a Toro Dingo mini skid steer machine with a Predator 670cc. But i'm going to save the Kohler and rebuild it because it only has 750 hours on it and has ring issues on one cylinder .

[@KenMrKLC]

I have a link to a company that makes a adapter for the output shaft and the mounting flange that makes the predator match Kohler if you are interested let me know

[@philliphall5198]

Just smart to eather rebuild or buy new engine and keep the mower you have and 3/6 grand

[@KenMrKLC]

3-6 grand? New walkers are 20g

[@philliphall5198]

Dam there is no way I could pay that Bought my house for 13000,00 Really I can’t see how they will pay out, I still would fix what I have paid for even if slower

[@farmerrick9660]

Good Evening!, I have a Kohler Command ch18 I just pulled out of a small skid steer, it was leaking oil and wasn't charging, after pulling the cover I noticed the flywheel was loose, took the flywheel off to find a big mess, the crank has play in it, so much it destroyed my magnets and stater, obviously the oil is leaking from the seal. Im guessing before I go any farther is there a bushing in the block or is the block Junk??. Thanks for your time ..

[@KenMrKLC]

Yea that's a mess sorry to say.... Need another short block at the very least.... May want to look for a used replacement motor or one rebuildable

[@farmerrick9660]

@@KenMrKLC have you seen this before?, wondering how this happened, plugged oil hole? anyways thanks for the reply

[@KenMrKLC]

@@farmerrick9660 I have never seen any crank issue on them.... I had re-ringed a motor 2 times so 3 "lifespans" and the crank was still within spec tolerances... Usually the cylinder walls wear before crank journals in the block

[@carllee3465]

Hey Ken I have a kohler 25hp look like the one in your video it started blowing oil out of one side and I can't see we're it coming from if it had a cracked would it do that it is high on the motor I would be grateful for anything you can tell me about this thank you

[@KenMrKLC]

Blowing out oil? You mean leaking? And if so where, what side

[@philliphall5198]

Head gasket leaking

[@Countryboygilmore]

Could you please send link where you got rings ect I have same problem

[@KenMrKLC]

It was a while ago different listings as it was on eBay... But this is similar or same here: www.ebay.com/itm/144851591950?hash=item21b9d3e30e:g:jLIAAOSw8V9eKOXa&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAA8Pd2gGFweXa%2FcHcwUlPGt3bNkhqVObf2xplBgQm6aUvGMp9biPAvQm1OkZayf%2BBvZGqZ3OKjnJmgcgd30Q29eRoyJaFqAZLrIYZRDg6JjtuYTIwEaS1YlMkQlMVJdnycwBn3QULDb2M%2FeSg4Tgqk5nuGqsQObftpO%2FvL1x5FUgC00Ua%2FFqq4cfp9axbkDHJBEcgXUgaewp6Z9U1Wq4ojjFprbYuR3veELS67DvK6MRMTPOwjQ7kQPe2okt6U4rHC13V60B2iotGAPujzu4RA5BNri7UJ38Yrgx0ROO2kfIIM82sAxg8snlE9Cl1W5oZvJg%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR6CPrPmrYg

[@jimih322]

hello I have a Kolher ch730 engine, I can't find the rings where I am, but I found some from Nissan that measure 83 x 1.2 thick, how do you recommend I adapt them.?

[@KenMrKLC]

Well if the specs are close just measure the ring end gaps and the groove clearances etc just like normal…. If they are sized correctly I would think they may work….

[@jimih322]

@@KenMrKLC .thanks friend I'm going to apply it with those rings

[@jackmorgan709]

seems ridiculous to only get 2000 hours out of these engines. I'm sure a comparable honda would last much longer (but perhaps they don't exist).

[@billmalec]

Oh God. A hand talker... 🤦

[@KenMrKLC]

Luckily there are thousands of other channels you can watch for free and criticize other than this one. Thanks for making my day.

[@ajsemtb]

@@KenMrKLC Don't worry Ken!!! I can't understand how people sit there stoic and drag on! Your video is the best on I've seen on this rebuild and I bought the ebay kit it looks like you bought as well! Great Job. Oh, and I think Bill might have a weenie the size of a peanut.

[@ColbyChapman]

Fantastic video! I'm preparing to do my first rebuild on my Walker MT26efi. It runs great still but burns oil, so I think this level of rebuild would be perfect. My question is, where did you track down the rebuild kits for the correct engine and spec ( the packs of gaskets and rings that you show at the beginning of the video)? I haven't been able to find anyone selling them as kits and I'm not super confident that I could pick all the correct items from the expanded parts diagrams. Appreciate the help! Engine Serial #3116512961 Spec: 78522 Ch26s

[@philhall5609]

I'm not into watching a half ass job. Growing up I was taught to do a job right. Unless you are getting shot at and just need it to get you out of range.

[@KenMrKLC]

Given that, what would you say is half assed? Because I replaced the entire motor the first time… so spending $150 and 8 hours of time to get another 2000 plus hours out of the motor is half assed? I can’t imagine you are going to tell me you would have paid a machine shop to bore it and replace pistons etc with oversized because you will quickly be over the cost of a new replacement motor… not to mention the time waiting for it. I agree there are different levels of repairs… but I wouldn’t call it half ass… If you were to take it apart and not replace the Rings or reuse gaskets or such… then that would be considered half ass to me.

[@philliphall5198]

It’s his and his videos He can do as he likes and if it saves money I’m all for it

[@tjlqk3]

Lil Red Barn stuff is garbage

[@KenMrKLC]

Well this same motor rebuild is going today with barely any oil usage and running 20 hours each week

[@tjlqk3]

@KenMrKLC still junk parts tho. Great video tho!

[@KenMrKLC]

@@tjlqk3 well I can’t agree the parts are junk …. Maybe they have some bad stuff but no issues with these. I don’t have any reason to promote them I am just keeping it real

[@tjlqk3]

@KenMrKLC I've had nothing but bad luck with castings and tolerances on their chainsaw parts. But is what it is.