[General Grounds]

:blob2: i currently own 2 motors, a 17 and a 21 hp. the 17 smokes when you start it and ive also been through 2 coils and when going through warranty it was nothing but grief, they seem to feel that they produce a flauless product. evrything wrong with it was our fault and not under warranty. the 21hp uses oil and is always dropping cylinders, again kawi feels that this is our fault and feels im on my own.

all my other engines are kohlers and even when my motor was almost a year out if warranty they replaced the blown motor no ?'s asked.

i spent the extra money for the kawi and im not really impressed, though quiet they are very tempermental.


just needed to vent a little. tony

 

[ElephantNest]

My Kawi kicks butt.

 

[Tbarchaser]

Smoke when ya start it! um...mine does that, I think most do with the choke on at startup. My feelings are 180 degrees from yours...never, never, never again will I own a Kohler.

 

[Cutter1]

I have mixed emotions about Kaw. Love the power, but can't stand the company. Kaw is never at fault, there product never goes wrong!!! I have three Kaw's right now. I'm done buying them. The Kohler might not be as good in my opinion, but Kohler won't question anything.

 

[Tbarchaser]

WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!

I just had a 15 kohler blow with under 100 hours and kohler wont replace or fix it! they said it was my fault, it blew AT THE DEALER...UNDER HIS SUPERVISION AND DIRECTION! It took it in for valve noise :angry:

 

[HarryD]

I myself would own nothing else but Kaws

 

[Cutter1]

thats why they make different flavored Jelly beans. I'm done with Kaw and giving Kohler another chance. I have had problems with both companies, but I refuse to put engines on that often like I have had to do with Kaw.

 

[SWD]

I have run both Kohlers and Kawasaki's. I recently bought new equipment and specified Kawi as the motors. I have had good luck with both, but I still prefer the Kawi. As far as problems with the companies, that is a new one to me.
Hope you get it figured out.

 

[Albemarle Lawn]

Problem solved.

 

[CoachLinz]

The Honda I put on my Bobcat w/b when the Kawi went up is running real nice....quiet too and starts on first pull every time.

 

[brucec32]

I recently had a 21hp twin kawi have to be replaced at 100 hours with problems they couldn't diagnose after 3 attempts. The main beef I had was that it took too long to get parts. A mechanic at another dealer echoed my thoughts....he said parts were slower to arrive than with Kohler. The replacement 23hp unit is doing fine so far, but we'll see how it is after another 100 hours. Never had any serious problems with several Kohlers in the past, and no problems till they were well on in years. The 12.5hp Kawi on my new wb is ok, but doesn't start as easily as the Kohler and Briggs engines I've used. Takes at least 2 pulls, and sometimes 3. Also surprised that it boggs down a little more than I expected with only a 32" deck. Thought it would have more torque than my Kohlers, but I can't tell it if it's there.

I think they're pretty equal, overall. I certainly wouldn't spend more to get a Kawi over a Kohler though.

 

[teamgeo]

i run nothing but kaws. i had a kohler once....once

 

[NCSULandscaper]

I have a 17 hp kawi, and have replaced a rocker arm bolt, 2 coils, smokes on startup and smokes like a friehg train everyonce in a while while mowing. Like the above stated its ALWAYS our fault and not the manuf. I am about fed up with kawi all together.

 

[Rick Jones]

Never used a larger Kawi, but the 4.5 Horse on my JD 21" is an excellent motor. However, I have had both Briggs and Tecumsehs that will start easier.

 

[challenger55]

i have just recently bought a 44" toro w/ a 15kaw so far so good
and i have a kaw trimmer and love the engine

 

[Turfdude]

The older Kaws were great. My favorites NOW are the briggs vanguard (by daihatsu) 16's & 18's on w/b's & standers. Some motors are on their 8th season & still very strong.

 

[The Lawn Boy Pro]

Originally posted by ElephantNest
My Kawi kicks butt.

Ditto that 200%

 

[Mark P]

Turfdude your right ive got a Vanguard going on ten yrs now and have never had any major problems with this engine, I also Like Kohlors, ive got kaw also 400hrs and no problems yet...doesn't smoke at all, Check out the 2000hr club and see what's the best on there..........Marks Mowing Service

 

[mike9497]

i love kawi engines.when i got a new lazer this year they only came with kohler.its 2 months old and already falling apart.blue smoke,burns lots of oil,doesn't start all the time diesels for 2 minutes when shutting down

 

[tiedeman]

Vanguard and Kohler are my favs. I too have problems with Kaw's a lot more lately than in the past.