Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): Lifters, hydraulic lifter, searial

Question
QUESTION: Hi John god bless.The engine is family 3KHXS.72552GC,Model#ch730s,SPEC#ch730-0073,Searial#3313216991.The engine was running rough,and smoking.I rebuilt the carburetor,and acc pump.It ran great for approximately 45 minutes.The owner picked it up and brought it back with anew problem.Its spitting gas out of the carb.I pulled both plugs,and only the right bank has compression.I removed the valve cover off the left bank and it had grass in it.Thats When I discovered the hole in the valve cover caused by the fuel filter.I took the rocker arms off the head with no compression,and it had compression again.When I first repaired the carburetor it ran great,but I did notice that it tapped like a loose rocker arm and now it doesn't make any noise.I suspect that its a stuck lifter on both sides exhaust,and intake.Can i remove the lifters without removing the head?What do you suggest?  Thanks again for all your help may god bless you and yours  Johnny

ANSWER: Hi Johnny:

>>I Just Sent you a Thank you E-Mail. I Hope you Do Not Mind, but I Used your Question and my Thank you to you to Explain why and How I Give Ideas/Possible Causes to the Questioners.
>>It is Rare for a Both Lifters to Stick in the Manner you Described, but I Learned a Long Time Ago that Anything is Possible with Small Engines.
>>Have you Tried Setting the Valves on the Cylinder that you Suspect has the Stuck/Frozen Lifters as if the Lifters were Tappets? Set the Valve Clearance like you would on Solid Tappets and this will Tell you for Sure if the Hydraulic Lifter have Stuck/Frozen. Use .004in - .006in as the Clearance.
>>I Do this Anytime I Suspect a Stuck/Frozen Lifter and it Usually Works. Sometimes it Actually will Loosen the Stuck/Frozen Lifter if you Run the Engine Until it is at Operating Temperature and then Allow it to Run for 5 to 10 Minutes.
>>Even if the Stuck/Frozen Lifter does Free Up, I Still Suggest it be Replaced with a New Lifter.
>>You can View a Breakdown of the Engine at this Site Addy; http://www.kohlerplus.com/login.asp and Select Enter as Guest. Now Select the Thumbnail of the Engine Catalog you Wish to View. Download the Service Manual #TP-2428-C. This Manual is the Same as the Paperback Manual that is Used in Most Small Engine Shops.
>>The Sump/Oil Pan/Side Cover has to be Removed to Change the Lifters/Tappets.
>>You are Going to have to Remove the Rocker Arms and the Side Cover/Closure Plate Assembly.
>>The Lifter can Only be Accessed After the Side Cover/Closure Plate Assembly has been Removed and the Cam has been Lifted Out of the Engine. Once the Can is Out of the Way, you can then Use a Push Tube to Push the Lifter Out of the Block and then Remove and Replace it.
>>Please, Do Not Hesitate, If you Hit a Snag, if I Missed Something or this Does Not Correct the Problem, I am Here if You Require More Assistance. Hope this Helps. Let me Know What Happens, Please. May the All Mighty Bless You and Yours. Thanks.

Good Luck

Respectfully

John

>>PS: I am Allowed to Answer 10 Questions a Day. If you See I am Maxxed Out, then Try Submitting your Question at or Just After 8pm EST (US). My New Day Starts then. Comments and Ratings are Greatly Appreciated. Thanks.

Respectfully

John



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hello again MR Bridgers.I pulled the push rods out,and removed the lifters one at at time so I wouldn't mix them up using a magnet to pull them out.I put them on the counter and tried to push them down,and i couldn't is that normal?I took the lifters apart and cleaned them.after I reinstalled them one at a time of course the engine ran but was low power.The longer it ran the worse it got.I pulled one back out,and tried to push it down and it wouldn't move.It looks like one of the exhaust valves isn't moving enough.You can see the that the valve is barely moving,but the push rod isn't moving up and down.I look at the lifter to make sure that it was in the lifter and not on the side.Like i said I removed them one at a time so i know that each push rod lifter and rockerarm was put back in the same spot.The lifters were scratch pretty bad on the bottom so I can only imagine what the cam looks like.I told the owner that the lifter was around $8.00 but that i didn't know if it would fix it or not,because of the push rod not moving up and down on the one exhaust valve.I kinda suspect that to repair it correctly I'm going to have to pull the heads repair them ,put a cam in,and new lifters.I don't know if he wants to spend that kind of money.So do you think that lifters would help?Thanks for taking the time to help the experienced and unexperienced in the repairs on small engines.You supply a great service to all and may god reward you accordingly Johnny

Answer
Hi Johnny:

>>From what you have Described in this E-Mail, the Cam has a Worn Lobe and will have to be Replaced. The Bottom of the Lifter where it Rides the Cam should be Flat (Not Cupped) and Smooth like Glass. If it was Scratched as you Described; that is Usually a Good Indication of a Bad Lobe on the Cam.
>>Thanks for Using the All Experts Service and for the Comments. Hopefully the Visitors and Questioners can Gain Useful Knowledge from our Conversations.
>>Please, Do Not Hesitate, to Write Anytime you have a Problem. I will Offer Any Assistance I can. Let me Know What Happens, Please. May the All Mighty Bless You and Yours. Thanks.

Good Luck

Respectfully

John