Valve Problem- Kawasaki

[Ford4Ever]

One the first lawn of the day today, my engine (Kawasaki FH451V) broke a valve push rod and dropped that cylinder. I brought it back home and installed a new push rod. On the next lawn it ran fine for about 10 minutes then dropped the same cylinder. I took apart and reassembled the valve (I assume it just got stuck?) and it runs fine now (both cylinders run) but has very little power. Does anyone know what has happened? Could my valve timing be off? Thank you.

[leeker]

yep,
I just went through this. The one I had was on a 757 John Deere with a 25hp. What is happing is, the engine is overheating and the valve guides are coming loose in the head. Or the valves are getting stuck in the guides bending the push rods. The one I had bent the push rods and I could see that the guide was up higher then it should be.

This unit had 350 hours on it and out of warranty. Kawasaki states it is from the operator not cleaning out the engine properly. Good possiablity but this unit is blown off after every use and is taken care of very well. There was very little grass in this engine when I made the repairs to it.

Kawasaki has you replace the heads, gaskets, etc if it is pulling the guides. If it is a sticky valve they tell you to pull the heads and run a 6mm reamer through the guides. Then install new Valves.

How many hours do you have on this unit. I know that there are seveal deere units with this problem. I would have to think that this is what is going on with yours, but check it over before you start rippinng stuff apart.

If i can be off any help let me know. I replaced the heads, valves, gaskets, and it runs fine now, but I am sure leary if it will do it again even if the grass is blown out everyday.

[Ford4Ever]

Thanks for the info. I have 1350 hrs on the engine. Im thinking I might just replace the engine as it is nearing the end of its life. I have taken pretty good care of it but I did buy it used and from what I could tell it had most likely been abused by its previous owner.

[leeker]

could you tell me what the engine was in (brand of Mower) and how old was it to have that many hours on it.

thanks

[Ford4Ever]

Its a 15 hp Kawasaki Vertical Engine recoil start. Model number FH451V-AS02-M. I am not sure how old it is, though I believe it is around a 2000-2003 model year. I purchased it used. It is on a Wright Velke Mower. http://www.wrightmfg.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=products.view&productid=6AD1DAA6-ADC4-C54B-1182B45FABD9FE4F