Any small engine gurus on here?
I did a rebuild kit on the carb in my Duetz-Allis 1918 about 2 months ago, it was back-firing and flooding. It has a Kohler M18 engine and the Walbro Carb.
yesterday it backfired when starting, died and I have a no start...It is blowing fuel up thru the carb bowl, mixed with engine oil
I THINK this means I have a blown cylinder, but am not sure.
It has been real sluggish the last few times I have run it and low on power....
any thoughts or suggestions?

 

If you suspect cylinder damage then a compression test is in order IMO. A couple of things I can think of off the top of my head, Damaged rings, or valve/head problems. But the compression test would tell you for certain.

How many cylinders does it have, 1 or 2?

 

its a two cylinder, and after some online research last night, I think its a valve problem, the things air-cooled and it was 101* when it blew.... may have somethign to do with it..
biggest problem is the engine is obsolete, and hard to find parts for...new engine kit is $1600

 

Brian Miller over in Columbia Missouri can get your parts. He specializes in Kohler engines. I'll try and find his website. He builds them for everything from stock to stroked engines on alcohol making 50 hp.

 

Thanks Mike, what I am thinking is that ,if it is gonna cost more than $2-300 to repair, i am probably better off in the long run just replacing the engine with the 25 hp Honda that they sell a kit for..
I use this thing to work up my round pen, push snow and such, probably do more than a 18hp is made for........BUT..... I realy want to just get it running for real cheap right now... dont have a major repair bill in the budget...

 

http://members.aol.com/pullingtractor/a1miller.htm

 

I have a 1992 model Sears garden tractor that I still use for mowing. it has a Kohler M18 on it. And I'm restoring a 1976 International Cub Cadet 1650 Hydro with a K361 Kohler engine and a 50 inch deck. They don't make them like that Cub anymore. Brian is very reasonable on oem rebuilds. I want him to do a rebuild on the K361 that will put it in the 20hp range yet still be a useable machine for yard work. It has a lift on the back and I'm going to buy a couple of the brinley tools for it so I can use it in the garden instead of my H Farmall and the Super 90 Massey Ferguson.

 

Brian said $700.00 for a complete oem rebuild parts and labor included. He could probably fix it for much less if it was just a valve issue.

 

As has already been stated, do a compression check first. Is this a rope pull or electric start engine? If it is a rope pull, then with the ignition off, slowly pull it thru a few cycles. If both cylinders are good, then they will both feel the same as they come up on compression. If one cylinder is bad, it will be obvious. However, the compression check will tell the true story. Not sure on that engine, but am guessing that the compression will be in the 110-120 pound range.
Don't overlook ignition problems. A very weak spark can cause similar symptoms, but not necessarily the oil mixing with the gas. Doesn't that engine have a magneto with an impulse? If the impulse has died, it will not start. Can you hear the impulse clicking when you pull it thru slowly? Pull a plug wire off and hold it about 3/16" from the plug or anything metallic and then turn the engine over. Do you have a nice fat blue spark or a skinny yellow spark that may only jump when the gap is decreased?

 

OK, Chris has been on the phone with two shops today( he sleeping now) and they both have said its not worth rebuilding. The Duetz-Allis dealer said they dont even bother overhauling them and at 1334 hours, it is a high mileage engine.
How do the Honda engines do? Are they reliable?

 

Mike, Thanks and I called Brian.. problem is the 6.5 hour round trip to take it there and again to pick it up. I think I am gonna try and fanagle a new motor, they sell a conversion kit to drop a Honda GX 25 hp engine in as a direct bolt in replacement. Runs in teh same RPM range, so sholdnt hurt the hydrostat, and will produce a lot more torque for pulling the disc and tiller.

Just gotta sell a kidney real quick and I'll be good to go!

 

I've seen the Honda retrofit engines on ebay to replace the Kohlers. Might be a cheap place to get one.

 

thats what we're doing.. called the place and they seem knowledgeable, and they're close to $1000 cheaper than any other I've found.. engine, clutch, and all the wiring, plumbing and hardware( adapter plate included) for $1650..and everyone is telling me the Honda GX series are really good engines..bullet proof

 

ur float is stuck and is draing fuel into the intake. REMEMBER THE FLOAT SHOULD BE SLIGHTLY HIGHER FROM LEVEL!!! and yes I do small engine repair I run my own shop

 

Yea, thats what I had thought, but its been rebuilt, first by me and then a shop, and it didnt help.
We ordered the engine last night, should be here Monday, $1700 including teh shipping.
Gonna pull the Kohler off this morning and try and figure out what to do with it.