QuestionQUESTION: I have a Troy-Bilt lawn tractor 42 inch year 2000. The engine is a Kohler Command 16 HP Vertical Crankshaft engine. When I start the tractor the engine smokes white smoke there are oil stains by the muffler. The oil level is low and I keep adding oil. It runs then it stops. Do you think it is worth rebuilding headgasket or new rings? I'm not sure which?
Thanks,
Tim
ANSWER: Usually smoking and using that much oil is one of two things. Either the carburetor is leaking gas into the crankcase, which is very common with certain carburetors. Or the crankcase breather needs replacement. Or even both.
So I'd start with smelling the oil for any sign of gas. If there is, then replace the carburetor. If not, then remove the crankcase breather and replace it.
It could also be a head gasket or worn cylinder, but the carb and the breather are the fault most of the time when there is a lot of smoke. Let me know if you have any questions. Thanks, PK.
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QUESTION: There is gas in the oil actually more gas than oil. Where is the crankcase breather? When I look at the Kohler website it is not listed. It is a Kohler Command CV16 vertical staff engine. Also is it better to buy a new carburetor or rebuild the old one? Thanks!
AnswerI replace these carburetors when they start leaking. Gas in the oil is the leading cause of catastrophic failure in mid-size single Kohler and Briggs engines. They use similar carburetors and my opinion is that it's more cost-effective to replace them.
Yours may have the breather integral to the valve cover. There should be a rubber hose coming off the air filter housing going to the engine block or valve cover, that will be where the breather is. Thanks, PK.
