smoke from bobcat w/b

[bobcatnj]

when i start up my kawi bobcat walkbehind there is a puff of white/grey smoke. then when i engage the blades i get the same puff of smoke. i thought it was maybe the oil so i changed it out and have the same problem

[Phil G]

when i start up my kawi bobcat walkbehind there is a puff of white/grey smoke. then when i engage the blades i get the same puff of smoke. i thought it was maybe the oil so i changed it out and have the same problem


How many hours on the engine?
Is it using oil?
It could just be a bit of wear on the valve stems/guides.
If it's not using oil, personally, I would not be immediately too concerned.
Check or replace the air filter, and plugs.
Keep a close eye on the oil level. And, use the correct grade of petrol.
Try and make it to the end of the season to have a closer look


Good luck Phil

[bobcatnj]

i changed the spark plug and airfilter, but still the same

[jkason]

How old is the unit?
Do you normally use it on angles steeper than 25 degrees?
Does this thing have between 1000-2000 hours on it?

[bobcatnj]

maybe 7 years old. sometimes it is used on slopes. hours i have no idea but im sure they are up there

[Tharrell]

Well, one of my old trucks does that, smoke on startup. In my case, it's the valve seals. Which model engine is it? You can get information from the Kawasaki website on your specific engine. Tony

[bobcatnj]

played with the mower today. i took the air filter off and turned the mower off and it looked like smoke (kinda like steam) coming from the carb. it also seems like i'm burning alot of oil

[mowerknower]

Time to do a cylinder leak down test. Also If its 7-8 years old you may want to check the air filter base, Kawi switched to a new base that was supposed to help keep oil coming out of the breather from going back into the intake

[bobcatnj]

its the kawi 14.5hp. how would you fix the valve seals?

[Phil G]

its the kawi 14.5hp. how would you fix the valve seals?

Really need the engine model #

You may have an engine without oil seal. The valve guide could have worn oval.

Check on here for your parts list and see illustration.
http://www.buykawpower.com/kmcb2c/Menu?action=CATALOGB2B&applicationChart=NO&reset=1

Let us all know what engine model you have.


Good luck Phil

[bobcatnj]

engine model is fc 420v

[Tharrell]

Here's the exploded view. Looks like number 112 is what you need. Go to J-Thomas and check out the list that goes with this. 112 is oil seals (2). Tony

[bobcatnj]

that looks like a project. i talked to a dealer today and he said it was the seals too. he said it cant be fixed. he said it will just do it again.

[Tharrell]

Well, I don't trust dealers. They have a financial interest in selling you a new engine or better, a new mower. The seals are probably inexpensive and to me, it's worth a try. I wouldn't let a dealer repair mine, I'd do it myself. Tony

[bobcatnj]

i wouldnt even know where to start by looking at that picture

[Tharrell]

Well, I ain't no mechanic but I can usually fumble through with a little help from some of the guys on here. It's an overhead valve engine, just like other overhead valves (they're over the head) take the valve cover off. You'll need a valve spring compressor (usually pretty cheap) and new seals. You'll also need to know how to torque and set the valve clearance. Not really that hard. You could get a service manual also.
Restrorob and others probably have more indepth tips for you. Tony

Also, there's not a whole lot of difference between overhead valve engines. If you can't find anything else, go to the Kohler website and download a single cylinder service manual like the CV15.