Blown Kohler....what to do?

[Tbarchaser]

Posted earlier
http://www.lawnsite.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=50989

Well... The Kohler rep had a look at my blown 15 command pro today and stated ( Kohler will not warranty this motor, due to lack of oil)

Could everyone that has had a problem with a Kohler 15 please respond with detailed info of the incident. I need to have my guns loaded when I talk with them, or Toro directly.


Thanks in advance

[J&R]

I would get in touch with your Toro rep he has a lot of pull with Kohler because Toro buys 1000s of Kohlers.

[ffemt1271]

buy a KAWASAKI

[GLAN]

Why are you talking with a Kohler rep?


You should be dealing with the equipment shop that sold it to you.

Do you use the same shop for all your needs?

I use one shop. Been doing business with them for I dunno 15 years and we have been through some chit together. I get anything I need when I need it. No waiting. Warranty............no questions asked. I have actualy blown motors cause the men forgot to put oil in after draining it. (sometimes happens when we don't have enough and wait till morning but forget) And had them warrantied.

[Tbarchaser]

I'm working with the dealer I bought it from and he is the only shop I deal with. He said Kohler had to send a rep to authorize the replacement. She said it was from running it dry...which is B/S... Should I just go to the Fla dist for toro (wescoturf). Or go to toro Corp...or Kohler? Or...should my dealer stand up to bat for me?

[Tbarchaser]

ffemt1271 I will take your advice!

Also anyone buy a full motor online anywhere...like a 12.5 Kaw.
I would like to swap it out while I am battling with kohler/toro, I do need the machine and the down time will cost me 5 hrs a week. Then I will just e-bay the kohler if I get a new one.

And no...I don't think meg-mo blades will help me here.

[Keith]

Damn, that sucks :mad:

For a Kawi, you might want to look at www.smallenginewarehouse.com

www.Jackssmallengines.com

Of course check Russo's and J Thomas too. I have a Russo's catalog floating around here somewhere, I'll see if I can find it.

[Keith]

OK, I don't see that either of the two above links has the 12.5 Kawi at a quick glance. The latest little Russo's catalog I got a month and half ago or so shows the FB460V-S14 12.5 for $475. Says it fits most intermediate mowers. I would try to find out what the spec number is on a Toro equipped with a Kawi first. Of course I think Russo's is a Toro dealer, so they may be able to help you. There # is 877-367-8776. There website isn't much to look at (trust me) , but it's www.russopower.com

[Tbarchaser]

12.5 kaw

J thomas is $688
Small engine warehouse...does not carry kaw 12.5
Jacks does not carry ANY kaw
rpcw $700.00

I thought a 12.5 would be cheaper than that

[Tbarchaser]

Keith...Thanks
I found it on there for 499.99

My toro is really a exmark...so it will fit.

I think 500 is worth buying a kaw and filling up the old Kohler with dog crap and shipping it to Prez of the company.

[DUSTYCEDAR]

make a deal with youre dealer to get u a new motor at cost and then give him the new motor from warenty if u get one for a small fee

[scottishmaximus]

i bought a 12.5hp kohler for $420 out the door from small engine warehouse in indiana. I here it's the same engine as the 15hp. It has plenty of power so i could believe it. The guys there are great at getting the right engine on the right machine.

[Keith]

I don't think he wants no more Kohlers :D

Edit: The new price is cheaper at Russo's, my bad :o Tell them you have the newest catalog with the Tanaka hedge trimmers on the front. It's $475 in there. Says it has the oil filter kit included. Make sure it has a carb and muffler though :D

[Keith]

They also have the FC420V-S15 listed for $585, thats the 14hp.

[Tbarchaser]

I know the 15 kohler has about the same output as the 12.5
( I have one of each) I think the 14 for $545 would be a good upgrade. I dont need the alternator so that lowers the cost.

What do you think shipping would be to Orlando?

BTW Keith I see your in central fl...Where?

[TLS]

Why go with a 12.5 Kawi??

It HAD a 15hp on it, why DROP power when you don't have to?

Go with a 15 or 17hp Kawi twin. The 12.5 is still a flathead engine.

I'd personally go with whatever Toro is going to give you, or for that matter what Kohler is going to give you.

You originally said that you checked the oil that morning. Does it USE oil at only 100 hrs? I rarely check my oil because it never uses any. May be a hare under the FULL line when its time to change it. If you checked it, is it because its USING oil?


How old is the mower?

What size deck.

You already said 100hrs.

Are you the sole operator?


Good Luck

[Tbarchaser]

Its a 36" toro fixed I picked it up new on march 15th 2003.
I have put most of the hours and witnessed the other hours.

As for going with the 12.5 I noticed my backup...and 89 floating deck with a 12.5 seems to have a little more power.

And if the dealer/toro/kohler/ or dist are going to drag ----- then I need to replace it and sell the "replacment kohler"

[tiedeman]

Originally posted by Tbarchaser
Posted earlier
http://www.lawnsite.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=50989

Well... The Kohler rep had a look at my blown 15 command pro today and stated ( Kohler will not warranty this motor, due to lack of oil)

Could everyone that has had a problem with a Kohler 15 please respond with detailed info of the incident. I need to have my guns loaded when I talk with them, or Toro directly.


Thanks in advance

it could be because the oil pump failed. (unless you didn't put oil in it) You kind of have to be a harda** to these service people. If the oil pump went then it should be covered under warranty. That is what just happened recently to my brigs v-twin. The oil pump went and engie seized up. But it was covered under warranty.

[TLS]

Is your DEALER deneying you warranty? Or is Kohler saying NO.???

This has defect in materials and workmanship written all over it. Either the pump went, or something caused the engine to loose oil.

[Tbarchaser]

That is what the dealer thought...he had the bottom end apart and full of oil (past the pick-up) and turned the oil pump...no oil pushed out of the main journal? He went both directions and nothing. So I though it would be no problem...
I will find out more on mon, I dont have enough bankers hours left this week to talk with them until then.

TLS...that is what I thought...Kohler is the one saying no.
The mower blew, with my dealer standing 10 feet away!

There are no signs of oil loss anywhere and WAS no smoke.
But does not pump oil....no-brainer huh!

[GLAN]

Bought March of this year and has 100 hours?


If you checked oil even once a week. That's fine. Your dealer needs to do more for you. Kohler should stand by their product.

Go back to the dealer and get it settled under warranty. If they won't then tell them that you will no longer do business with them as you are a growing company will be in need of aditional equipment, service and parts and they obviously can't or are not interested in your business.

[LAWNS AND MOWER]

I put a new Kohler Command 15hp on my Toro Proline 44inch last year. Got it from J-Thomas. Noticed some oil will accumulate on the frame it sits on. Add oil ,about 1/4 quart, every 3 weeks. Has a 2 year warranty, so come the end of this season, its going in the shop. Should be covered.

[Tbarchaser]

I have noticed it uses a little oil about 1/4 quart like you said but its not smoking or leaking. I change the oil every week. Looking at my log it has had 8 oil changes. and used 2.75 quarts in between changes total for the year.

Now that I see it on paper I see somthing was wrong with that motor from the start.