27HP Kohler head gasket blown ?? - MyTractorForum.com - The Friendliest Tractor Forum and Best Place for Tractor Information

tpaul · 02-21-2010, 07:47 PM

The 27hp Kohler command in my 2004 craftsman DGT6000 blew a head gasket. I plan on changing it myself. The whole process seems pretty straight forward, the only question I have is how do I adjust the valves when i put it back together

DJ in WV · 02-21-2010, 08:09 PM

I don't know for certain, so check me thoroughly first, but I seem to remember reading on here somewhere that the valves on the 27 hp are hydraulic and no adjustment is needed.

Again, be sure to check this information first. I am sure that someone will set me straight if I'm wrong.

tpaul · 02-21-2010, 08:25 PM

Yes, they are hydraulic but they need to be adjusted or torqued to specs. Is this done at TDC ? I'm looking for specific instructions.
Thanks

MY FYN 79 · 02-21-2010, 09:41 PM

Heres Kohlers 27 HP Command service manual in a PDF. All the manuals are available at the Kohler website.

http://www.kohlerengines.com/onlinec.../tp_2450_c.pdf

tpaul · 02-21-2010, 10:08 PM

Exactly what I needed. Thanks, MY FYN

MY FYN 79 · 02-21-2010, 10:15 PM

Alan Lloys · 02-22-2010, 12:54 PM

I have replaced 3 of these on the 25 hp units - it is not too difficult. It actually takes longer to take off all the shrouding and actually get to the parts so you can replace it.

A couple of tricks I found when working on the 25hp units that may also apply to the 27hp unit is:

1) Buy the head gasket kit that comes with both exhaust gasket and new headbolts. You should never re-use headbolts
2) There is probably very little room to take the bolts holding the exhaust tube off - I found that if you just loosen then you can swing the whole head out after you take off the headbolts so you can access it. You can do the reverse when re-assembling.
3) Carb cleaner works great to get some of the soot and burned on oil off. Put the piston at top when cleaning it. After re-assembly rotate the crank by hand for a few revs to spread a little oil and start the engine. Make sure you replace the oil after a few minutes running as I don't think the carb cleaner in the oil is good.
4) I did not use a spanner wrench as listed in the repair manual. I installed the rocker arms over the pushrods and torqued down with the valves seated. This seemed to work fine for the 3 I replaced (it was on 3 different tractors).

tpaul · 02-23-2010, 09:56 AM

Only one head gasket is bad. Should I replace both while I have it that far apart, or just change the bad one and worry about the other when the time comes.

craigbaill · 02-23-2010, 10:09 AM

head gaskets are like headlights on your car/truck-if you change one headlight...the other usually goes soon after. MURPHYS LAW! Get the kit and do both since it will at least let you look at both cylinders and the heads.

Alan Lloys · 02-23-2010, 07:24 PM

I don't want to appear like I am disagreeing with craigbaill but when I replaced mine I did only the bad one and it ran 4 years with now problems when I sold it.
That being said it was the 25 hp which is notorious for blowing the right hand head gasket. Then again when I did my first one I was a novice at small engines and didn't want to touch stuff I didn't need to.

Can you let us know if it is the right or left one when sitting on the tractor ?
Just wondering if Kohler improved on the issue since mine from 2003 had the problem.

All the ones I fixed were also on the right hand side - it is a design issue from Kohler around the 2003 timeframe although they never admitted that.

tpaul · 03-03-2010, 01:30 PM

It is the right hand cylinder while sitting on the tractor. Thanks th MY FYN i now have the manual. I also just bought an inch lb. torque wrench. Th torque wrench i had started at 20 ft. lbs. I'm still on the fence about changing both or just the bad one.

madmantrapper · 03-03-2010, 06:32 PM

I think because it has been an issue with the right head, it might not be necessary to change them both. I most likely would because that is just how I am but I don't think it would matter.

tpaul · 03-14-2010, 11:54 AM

Just got done changing both head gaskets. Parts were $52. for both kits. Job was pretty straight forward. Taking off and putting back the carb and linkages proved to be the hardest part. I was very careful to mark where the little springs and rods on the carb connected.

madmantrapper · 03-14-2010, 05:14 PM

I'm glad it went smooth.

tpaul · 03-15-2010, 06:34 PM

Thanks for all the help to everyone on the forum !!!!!

02-21-2010, 07:47 PM	#1
tpaul Senior MTF Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: New York Posts: 130 MTF Member # 12068	27HP Kohler head gasket blown ?? The 27hp Kohler command in my 2004 craftsman DGT6000 blew a head gasket. I plan on changing it myself. The whole process seems pretty straight forward, the only question I have is how do I adjust the valves when i put it back together __________________ Craftsman DGS6500 2008 Craftsman DGT6000 2003 Craftsman GT6000 1995 Craftsman LTX1000 2002 Craftsman LT1000 1999

02-21-2010, 08:25 PM	#3
tpaul Senior MTF Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: New York Posts: 130 MTF Member # 12068	Re: 27HP Kohler head gasket blown ?? Yes, they are hydraulic but they need to be adjusted or torqued to specs. Is this done at TDC ? I'm looking for specific instructions. Thanks __________________ Craftsman DGS6500 2008 Craftsman DGT6000 2003 Craftsman GT6000 1995 Craftsman LTX1000 2002 Craftsman LT1000 1999

02-21-2010, 09:41 PM	#4
MY FYN 79 Senior MTF Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: N/E Wisconsin Posts: 289 MTF Member # 34595	Re: 27HP Kohler head gasket blown ?? Heres Kohlers 27 HP Command service manual in a PDF. All the manuals are available at the Kohler website. http://www.kohlerengines.com/onlinec.../tp_2450_c.pdf __________________ 2004 Craftsman DGT6000 <---- Grass mowin' and snow blowin'! 1993 Craftsman GT6000 <---- Playin' backup!

02-21-2010, 10:08 PM	#5
tpaul Senior MTF Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: New York Posts: 130 MTF Member # 12068	Re: 27HP Kohler head gasket blown ?? Exactly what I needed. Thanks, MY FYN __________________ Craftsman DGS6500 2008 Craftsman DGT6000 2003 Craftsman GT6000 1995 Craftsman LTX1000 2002 Craftsman LT1000 1999

02-21-2010, 10:15 PM	#6
MY FYN 79 Senior MTF Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: N/E Wisconsin Posts: 289 MTF Member # 34595	Re: 27HP Kohler head gasket blown ?? __________________ 2004 Craftsman DGT6000 <---- Grass mowin' and snow blowin'! 1993 Craftsman GT6000 <---- Playin' backup!

02-22-2010, 12:54 PM	#7
Alan Lloys TECH Exchange Contributor! Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 577 MTF Member # 32845	Re: 27HP Kohler head gasket blown ?? I have replaced 3 of these on the 25 hp units - it is not too difficult. It actually takes longer to take off all the shrouding and actually get to the parts so you can replace it. A couple of tricks I found when working on the 25hp units that may also apply to the 27hp unit is: 1) Buy the head gasket kit that comes with both exhaust gasket and new headbolts. You should never re-use headbolts 2) There is probably very little room to take the bolts holding the exhaust tube off - I found that if you just loosen then you can swing the whole head out after you take off the headbolts so you can access it. You can do the reverse when re-assembling. 3) Carb cleaner works great to get some of the soot and burned on oil off. Put the piston at top when cleaning it. After re-assembly rotate the crank by hand for a few revs to spread a little oil and start the engine. Make sure you replace the oil after a few minutes running as I don't think the carb cleaner in the oil is good. 4) I did not use a spanner wrench as listed in the repair manual. I installed the rocker arms over the pushrods and torqued down with the valves seated. This seemed to work fine for the 3 I replaced (it was on 3 different tractors).

02-23-2010, 09:56 AM	#8
tpaul Senior MTF Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: New York Posts: 130 MTF Member # 12068	Re: 27HP Kohler head gasket blown ?? Only one head gasket is bad. Should I replace both while I have it that far apart, or just change the bad one and worry about the other when the time comes. __________________ Craftsman DGS6500 2008 Craftsman DGT6000 2003 Craftsman GT6000 1995 Craftsman LTX1000 2002 Craftsman LT1000 1999

02-23-2010, 10:09 AM	#9
craigbaill Senior MTF Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: New Jersey-Burl. County Posts: 410 MTF Member # 36492 Images: 3	Re: 27HP Kohler head gasket blown ?? head gaskets are like headlights on your car/truck-if you change one headlight...the other usually goes soon after. MURPHYS LAW! Get the kit and do both since it will at least let you look at both cylinders and the heads. __________________

02-23-2010, 07:24 PM	#10
Alan Lloys TECH Exchange Contributor! Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 577 MTF Member # 32845	Re: 27HP Kohler head gasket blown ?? I don't want to appear like I am disagreeing with craigbaill but when I replaced mine I did only the bad one and it ran 4 years with now problems when I sold it. That being said it was the 25 hp which is notorious for blowing the right hand head gasket. Then again when I did my first one I was a novice at small engines and didn't want to touch stuff I didn't need to. Can you let us know if it is the right or left one when sitting on the tractor ? Just wondering if Kohler improved on the issue since mine from 2003 had the problem. All the ones I fixed were also on the right hand side - it is a design issue from Kohler around the 2003 timeframe although they never admitted that.

03-03-2010, 01:30 PM	#11
tpaul Senior MTF Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: New York Posts: 130 MTF Member # 12068	Re: 27HP Kohler head gasket blown ?? It is the right hand cylinder while sitting on the tractor. Thanks th MY FYN i now have the manual. I also just bought an inch lb. torque wrench. Th torque wrench i had started at 20 ft. lbs. I'm still on the fence about changing both or just the bad one. __________________ Craftsman DGS6500 2008 Craftsman DGT6000 2003 Craftsman GT6000 1995 Craftsman LTX1000 2002 Craftsman LT1000 1999

03-03-2010, 06:32 PM	#12
madmantrapper All Fired Up Join Date: May 2009 Location: Maryland Posts: 443 MTF Member # 26869	Re: 27HP Kohler head gasket blown ?? I think because it has been an issue with the right head, it might not be necessary to change them both. I most likely would because that is just how I am but I don't think it would matter.

03-14-2010, 11:54 AM	#13
tpaul Senior MTF Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: New York Posts: 130 MTF Member # 12068	Re: 27HP Kohler head gasket blown ?? Just got done changing both head gaskets. Parts were $52. for both kits. Job was pretty straight forward. Taking off and putting back the carb and linkages proved to be the hardest part. I was very careful to mark where the little springs and rods on the carb connected. __________________ Craftsman DGS6500 2008 Craftsman DGT6000 2003 Craftsman GT6000 1995 Craftsman LTX1000 2002 Craftsman LT1000 1999

03-14-2010, 05:14 PM	#14
madmantrapper All Fired Up Join Date: May 2009 Location: Maryland Posts: 443 MTF Member # 26869	Re: 27HP Kohler head gasket blown ?? I'm glad it went smooth.

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03-15-2010, 06:34 PM	#15
tpaul Senior MTF Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: New York Posts: 130 MTF Member # 12068	Re: 27HP Kohler head gasket blown ?? Thanks for all the help to everyone on the forum !!!!! __________________ Craftsman DGS6500 2008 Craftsman DGT6000 2003 Craftsman GT6000 1995 Craftsman LTX1000 2002 Craftsman LT1000 1999

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