Kohler KT17

[KenSee]

I hear negative things about these motors but nothing specific. What exactly are the problems with these engines? I have two, I'm about to put new pistons in one, but now I wonder if I should. If not, I need a whole engine. Thanks.

[DonMc]

Hi Ken. It depends on which motor you have. If you have a series 1 engine, there were problems with them. If you have a series 2, then you should have no problems. I just went thru the same thing with my A-C 919H. I bought it with a blown motor, which was the series 1. The first KT-17 and KT-19 motors(known as series 1's) had a lubrication problem. The oil pump was located next to the side wall of the block so when you mowed on a hill, if you were tipped the wrong way so the oil pump was on the high side, the pump couldn't get any oil any thus the motor was not getting any lubrication. The other problem was the connecting rod bearings were not direct pressure lubricated, only by splash. Because of these problems, not many series 1's were around very long. So Kohler came out with the series 2 in both models and fixed those problems by (1)locating the oil pump in the center of the block so no matter which way the tractor tipped the oil pump would still pick up oil and lubricate the engine and (2) drilled the crank so there was direct pressure lubrication to the rod bearings. I bought a series 2 KT-19 for my A-C 919H and have run it for 2 years now and have not had any problems. Hope I answered your question without rambling too much. Have a good night. Don Jr.

[JeffH]

I have a 7117, 1982 vintage, one of the last series I motors (Late serial number). I don't exactly know how many hours are on, but probably well over 1000. Original owner told me engine was never serviced beyond tune-ups and oil changes. I have owned it for three plus yrs, run it hard mowing, vacuuming, thatching, and snow blowing. It uses no oil, does not smoke, and starts first crank every time. I run it on hills, and the previous owner used it to snowblow a fairly steep drive. If the Series I's were bad news, this one didn't get the message. I have also heard bad things about this engine, and I have been waiting to throw a rod or spin a bearing since I bought it.. Nothing yet. If it did, I guess twenty years isn't to bad. When it is time to repower, I'll probably go with the 18HP Kohler, rather than a new KT17 Series II short block.... That seems to be the opinion here in the club.... Jeff

[KenSee]

Thank you, both of mine are series II so I guess I can mow on hills now. Problem now is the price of new pistons - about $100 each. That was an eye opener and I guess I'll wait until spring for those.