Either way, stay close to a fire extinguisher!
Not sure of the exact nature of the smoke, but it appears to be coming from the grill near the muffler box. I looked in there as best as I could, and didn't see any clippings, etc. I'm going to run it more this weekend, and see if the smoke dissipates as any residual oil burns off. Other than oil, which could enter the muffler from the engine, I'm not sure how anything could get in here, because it seems like there is very little area to collect clipping or debris.
In terms of the muffler, does anyone know if I could snake out the muffler with a wire ? I'll probably try this approach first. Exhaust is definitely coming out the outlet pipe, so it can't be clogged too badly. If this situation continues, I think I'll try to rig up something where I get another muffler, route the pipes out the side, and rig it up to be a vertical configuration. I could do this much cheaper than $200. This tractor is an ugly duckling anyway, so I don't care where the muffler is mounted. Has anyone ever rigged up a muffler like this to a tractor? I would appreciate any tips.
Thanks !
Hi Everyone:
I just bought a used 2185. It has a Kohler Command 25 motor installed. I ran it for about 5 minutes, and the muffler and pipe had heated the muffler box super hot.
2. This mower had a broken valve cover, and I imagine some oil was blown into the muffler during the time it was run. I can run it more to see if it clears up. The smoke smelled like oil, not clippings.
Thanks !
These Commands are really stout... you can unknowingly have the beginnings of a major problem and they will still seem to run... that is, until they fail altogether and ruin the block.
I can only comment on the valve cover. Valve covers do not "just break". A broken one is an indication of a serious issue that needs to be investigated.
Not sure where yours is broken, but I guess if it is broken around one of the valve cover nuts due to overtightening, that is not so bad.
But if it's cracked on the top or center somewhere like mine did on my Command 25 (2004 GT3235), that's an indication of a serious issue.
Apparently (not certain) my valve cover cracked and then eventually the engine quit all together when the valve's push rod became disengaged from the rocker arm and blew a hole in the valve cover.
Several people have had this problem with early 200x Kohler Commands.
To quickly diagnose if this is your situation, remove the valve cover and check to see if rocker arm bolts are tightened down.
These engines will still run pretty good with rocker arm bolts loosened 0.5" out (which delays & shortens valve opening).
We definately need pics![]()
FWIW once I checked the oil in my 2165 with the mower not quite level, and it read a bit low, so I added some to where it was right up to the full level.. Well when I went mowing on a side slope it started burning oil pretty badly.. I was like ohh crap now I need a new engine... but as I drove back to the shed it cleared up.. so I kept mowing, and then I realized why it was burning oil only once in a while :banghead3
Since then i worry less about having a perfectly full oil pan.... It runs much better on gasoline than oil![]()