John Deere GT225: Kohler Command CV15S Rebuild

Apologies, the music was mixed too high in the audio, and some tracks overlapped. Its a bit of a boring video, but leaving it up for those interested. My forum thread is more informative. I dont have the source videos anymore so I cant reupload.
Seized lifters due to lack of oil changes caused burned exhaust valve seat, valve guide wear, which led to poor compression, low power, and lots of burning oil.
www.mytractorf...

[@Curious_Skeptic]

I just had one of these donated to me . Haven't even tried starting it yet. Lived outside for years, no hood, no cover. If it starts, it will be amazing. If it doesn't you and your video will become my inspiration. LOL.

[@Bassguitarist1985]

Very cool! Good luck!

[@jetenginethrust863]

Sounds really smooth, great job. I've got almost the same GT just different # a LT155 with the same Kohler CV15s engine in it. Backfires like a Mo-Fo cuz I haven't replaced the electric fuel cut-off valve on the bottom of the carb float bowl, previous owner destroyed it. It needs the transaxle rebuilt, known problem on these garden tractors series LT155 thru LT166 & the similar models like yours with the same engine, hood etc.. I'm contemplating installing that CV15s engine onto my JD JS63C 3 speed self propelled lawn mower cuz the eng approx. 20yrs old is getting long in the tooth & it bogs down too much for my liking in heavy grass anyway. Still runs good enough though so I'll prolly wait til' it wears itself out completely.

[@Bassguitarist1985]

Yeah I was happy there was not more wear concidering it ran low on oil. Sounds like yours has valve trouble and carbon buildup in the combustion chamber. Hot carbon reigniting leftover fuel once it shuts down. I got 18 hours on since the rebuild. So far no major issues! Best of luck on your rebuild!

[@jetenginethrust863]

@@Bassguitarist1985 no, mine backfires because like I said the electric fuel solenoid valve isn't operating properly on mine. If you do a little research that's the main reason the engineers put that solenoid on the carb in the 1st place. It prevents the fuel getting into the carburetor after the ignition circuit is shut off & the excess fuel going into the hot cylinder & exhaust and igniting causing the loud back firing well known in these single cylinder engines. They had too many customer complaints. I get a kick out of it prolly cuz it scares the shit outta' my neighbors every time it backfires LOL!

[@Bassguitarist1985]

@@jetenginethrust863 yeah and likely not good for the engine. Those solenoids seize up often from stale fuel. Inexpensive part, and potentially can be cleaned out and rebuilt. The kohler commands are good engines. They have a balance shaft and they dont vibrate as much as briggs.

[@jetenginethrust863]

@@Bassguitarist1985, inexpensive? Last time I priced one approx. 6yrs ago they were $110.00! That's why I didn't order another one & besides the transmission needs to be rebuilt. Maybe they've come down in price since or China fuckin' made another cheap knock-off of the original solenoid. I don't use the LT155 it's just sitting in the backyard. I use my LT166 twin cylinder GT instead with either the 42" or 48" cutting deck. And yeah I know the solenoids get gunked up from the fuckin' Ethanol in the fuels thanks to the traitor Obummer. I never leave fuel in my carbs, I have a separate fuel shut-off valve & run it out of fuel so I never have problems re-starting my engines. Like I stated before, the previous owner took it apart and fucked it up so I couldn't fix it. I'm an FAA Certificated Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic BTW.

[@tedyfanita1]

Very nicely done! I have a same engine and I will like to rebuild it. Where did you buy the rebuilt kit and where did you bored the engine? Thank you

[@Bassguitarist1985]

Didn't overbore the cylinder. Oversized pistons and rings are NLA. Honed it and reused the piston with new standard rings. Any Kohler dealer will have parts. i think i used OPEengines.com

[@ljashansen]

Very skilled mechanical. Music is distracting from your work.

[@Bassguitarist1985]

Thank you Larry. Advice noted, yea no more music moving forward. Figured give the new editing software a try

[@dallasaaron4817]

We’re did you buy your new head and rebuild parts ? Looks like you did an awesome job I have a LT150 with the same engine and I’m thinking about rebuilding it.

[@Bassguitarist1985]

www.kohler-engine-parts.opeengines.com/

[@Bassguitarist1985]

Thank you for watching!

[@wayne7speaks]

i have cv15s replaced the regulator engine still comes on and doesnt produce full power at all start to mow and it dies ?? any suggestions

[@Bassguitarist1985]

@@wayne7speaks have you done a cylinder leak down test?

[@wayne7speaks]

@@Bassguitarist1985 No i dont know how

[@Bassguitarist1985]

@@wayne7speaks best to bring it to a small engine tech. Hard to diagnose.

[@wayne7speaks]

@@Bassguitarist1985 ok thanks

[@tkbotsss7564]

I the same mow but it bogs down when given full throttle ant ideas?

[@Bassguitarist1985]

Tune up done?

[@BHOLT08]

How did you do the "zero governor" test? My engine is revving up at a high speed on the lowest throttle setting, sounds like I'm ready to race it on the highest throttle level. I can run the deck on the lowest throttle setting, and this I'm told should not happen

[@Bassguitarist1985]

loosen the jam nut on the governor arm, the throttle setting should be all the way down slow speed. using pliers, twist the governor shaft counterclockwise to the left, then using your finger, push the governor arm to the left. The carburetor plate should be wide open. Lock down the jam nut and you should be set. The static setting means the carb should be wide open, and when the engine is spinning, the governor inside wants to close the carb. The spring from the throttle plate keeps the carb plate open for high speed. Your sounds like it is adjusted backwards.

[@jamesyork6023]

What was the total cost of the rebuild if you don’t mind sharing? I think my bearings are shot in my LX 255

[@Bassguitarist1985]

Roughly $350 in parts. Not including the special tools to rebuild it like the hone and torque wrench. Majority of the parts was the cylinder head. Old one had bad exhaust guide.

[@TheirsHopewithJesusChrist_277]

Will this engine fit on a old red early 90s model murray 40 inch cut riding mower?

[@Bassguitarist1985]

Idk, the engine output shaft sizes need to match and also fit under the hood. One would have to research.

[@TheirsHopewithJesusChrist_277]

@@Bassguitarist1985 oh okay thank you sir ill do my research :)

[@mikestates836]

How much did it cost to rebuild the motor

[@Bassguitarist1985]

$300 or a new cylinder head and all the parts to that (kit) plus another $50 for piston rings. The tools like the hone and bore micrometer i didnt count those costs since i do small engine as a part time job. Well worth the investment and work. Engine still running great!

[@mikestates836]

@@Bassguitarist1985 what’s your location

[@Bassguitarist1985]

@@mikestates836 northeast USA

[@donniem9807]

what good is just showing random pictures?

[@Bassguitarist1985]

@@donniem9807 Sorry, I didn't record a lot of the rebuild process because it was a huge learning curve for me and it was taking so much time that I just took pictures along the way. If you check out my repair thread it has more details there than in this video.

[@livingstone6275]

No the video is not boring just leave the music off while your talking...its irritating and weakens your instruction....were trying to learn something here.

[@Bassguitarist1985]

Yes, it was an experiment with the music. I wont do that for future videos. Thank you for watching!

[@williampaul8556]

Don't need the distracting music.

[@Bassguitarist1985]

I know. Cant remove it no longer have the raw video. Yes apologies it is distracting.