I would have loved mine to have 120 I only had 95 to 100

 

It depends on what head you have on the engine.

 

It has a standard gasoline Kohler head. Were there variations of the standard heads that would effect the range or are you talking about something like:greendr: a LP head or a hi performance head?

 

While not the best write up I have ever read, it does shed some light on the various heads used on the Kohler engines.

http://gardentractorpullingtips.com/cylhead.htm

If someone were to put a gun to my head and demand a number, I would have to say that 90-100 PSI is what to expect. If it runs higher, great. If lower then there are likely issues.

Of course measuring compression on an engine that has a ACR is many times a challenge.

 

According to this link the K341 used a variation of the same head and it said the head was unique to the K341 (16hp). Apparently the compression ration was the same on all K341 engines as well.

 

Compression isn't the only test. A rod knock is a problem too. No exhaust system on the engine could mask a knocking rod.

 

High compression can also mean a non working Auto Compression Release. If this is the case you'll have to drop the pan to take a look. In a similar situation right now with a K181 that shows 125 psi cranking cold. The problem is the starter can't spin it over now. This is why most prefer a leak down test to determine the condition of the bore and valves.

 

High compression can also mean that the engine has carbon buildup.

 

Don, is 120 psi considered high compression on a 16 hp Kohler single? I had in my mind that that was good but I have been wro..uhumm I mean mistaken before.

 

Take a look at the Gravely Engine Data thread. It gives what would be "normal" compression for an engine,

 

I just measured my cub cadet 169 K341 compression, with engine cold, just cranking it with the stock delco remy belt driven starter . I remove spark plug, screw in compression test fitting, I crank the engine: It measures 55-60 psi. I suspect I need to adjust the valves.

 

Paul1986JS212 always good to get a quick reminder of these things....but this thread is about 9 years old...and a few years since some of the participants have been around...if you look just to the right of the post #...you will see when it was posted