Kawasaki FH721 Blown head gaskets

[Sharpcut 1]

Anyone else having problems with head gaskets going on 25 Kaws??? Have had 3 in the shop this week, 450 to 750 hr. range. One blew the head gasket before at 84 hours, and Kawasaki had me put a new HEAD and gasket on it because head had warped .005. Ring around the piston groove totally blown out. Fins are reasonably clean, one had a bagger system, dipsticks are OK, one engine got a little warm from the color on the dipstick. Contractors used to think Kohlers were bad, but this is the 6th machine in the last couple of months to have this issue. 2 on Hustlers, 1 on a Bobcat. Granted the Hustlers' blew on the side where the mufflers are right behind, but still, what's happening here?? Put the head on a surface plate, and it's .004-.006 warped on the exhaust side. What have you other techs seen?? Anything??

[mowerknower]

The only reason we stock head gaskets for kawis are for when we need to put a new head on because the valve guide slid. I dont know that I have ever seen a blown head gasket on a kawi that didnt have other issues.

[pugs]

The only reason we stock head gaskets for kawis are for when we need to put a new head on because the valve guide slid. I dont know that I have ever seen a blown head gasket on a kawi that didnt have other issues.

Yah pretty much. Only blown one I have seen was a Liquid cooled Kawsaki in a carpet cleaning application.

[Sharpcut 1]

Guys,
thanks for the responses.

Before this year, I have only had one Kawasaki Head gasket failure, also on a LC Kaw that ran out of Anti-freeze and warped the head. This year I have had Close to a 1/2 dozen counting the above. Just seeing if anyone else has this problem. Will call Kawi on Monday since they are still both under warranty. JOHN

[East Coast Lawn Choppers]

I remember 4 we had this year, mostly we have been getting oil smokers and slipped guides. We did have 2 - 27 hp LC's and 1 - 25 hp LC I think only 1 FH500V that was a clogged fins and warped head.
As far as kohlers we had 3 this week...

[Dunn's]

It is happening alot, or 19 H.P. Kai had the heads and or head gaskets replaced four times this year. Then something broke and finally destroyed the hunk of junk by blowing a hole in the side of the engine.

We know another guy who had his 17 Kai doing the same thing. Burning or leaking oil, then head gaskets going and then heads.


Kawasaki is quickly becoming the junkiest engines out there.