I have a friend with a Cub Cadet tractor, LTX146(?). It has a Kohler SV715-3002 engine. The engine is about 11 years old and has nearly 500 hours. I have maintained it on an annual basis, plus some other periodic issues. It appears to have some valving issue. It began starting hard, popping with every revolution. It progressive got worse, until now it does not start, again, making a popping sound when trying to start. I was not sure if it had a leak on the intake manifold side - getting too much air. I replaced the intake manifold gaskets, plus the two carb gaskets - no change. My conclusion is something is scrambled with the valves and they are out of sync. I think this is beyond my simple understanding and capability.
Is 500 service hours a top-end life for a Courage engine? My experiences with Kohler Pro-Command demonstrates their life is way beyond these hours. But, I think Courage was intended for consumer use and 500 hours may be at life expectancy.
We have checked with a dealer - "no repair of these engines, only replacement." Another said they were willing to look at it. We are concerned cost of repair may approach the cost of a replacement engine.
The rest of the mower is in good condition. It has always been garaged. The deck is not rusted or worn. The spindles are tight. The hydro drive seems fine. Yes, it needs new front tires and new gauge wheels. But, these are simple repairs.
I have started looking for replacement engines. The engine is made for MTD, the manufacturer for Cub Cadet. This is a 3002. I see other MTD editions, 3018, ..19, .. 20, .. 23, .. 27, .. 30, .. 34. 3034 appears to be the current edition. I think the crankshaft is 1 X 3 5/16, keyed and tapped at 7/16-20. I am presuming the mounting bolt pattern the same, and assume electrical connections should work. The crank specs are my biggest concern. I am unable to find a table of the crank specs. Can anybody confirm that if Kohler made a 3002 for MTD, all future editions will have the same cranks specs?
Does anybody know availability? I have been told, "... all engines from Briggs, Kohler, Kaw are all going to build new units, and none are allocated for replacement." Is this right? In doing some searching, I find places saying they have a 3034. But, maybe they are not being honest on their web page. Any recent experiences?
Thanks.
Is 500 service hours a top-end life for a Courage engine? My experiences with Kohler Pro-Command demonstrates their life is way beyond these hours. But, I think Courage was intended for consumer use and 500 hours may be at life expectancy.
We have checked with a dealer - "no repair of these engines, only replacement." Another said they were willing to look at it. We are concerned cost of repair may approach the cost of a replacement engine.
The rest of the mower is in good condition. It has always been garaged. The deck is not rusted or worn. The spindles are tight. The hydro drive seems fine. Yes, it needs new front tires and new gauge wheels. But, these are simple repairs.
I have started looking for replacement engines. The engine is made for MTD, the manufacturer for Cub Cadet. This is a 3002. I see other MTD editions, 3018, ..19, .. 20, .. 23, .. 27, .. 30, .. 34. 3034 appears to be the current edition. I think the crankshaft is 1 X 3 5/16, keyed and tapped at 7/16-20. I am presuming the mounting bolt pattern the same, and assume electrical connections should work. The crank specs are my biggest concern. I am unable to find a table of the crank specs. Can anybody confirm that if Kohler made a 3002 for MTD, all future editions will have the same cranks specs?
Does anybody know availability? I have been told, "... all engines from Briggs, Kohler, Kaw are all going to build new units, and none are allocated for replacement." Is this right? In doing some searching, I find places saying they have a 3034. But, maybe they are not being honest on their web page. Any recent experiences?
Thanks.
