K301 Breather Assembly

[IronPony]

Well, I have had the breather assembly out and inspected. It appears to be in good shape. However, it does not look like the one pictured in my Kohler service manual?? Mine has the filter centered and is all metal construction. The one in the book appears to be plastic and the filter is to the side. So - I don't know if mine is properly installed or if all the parts are there. I think they are and it is installed ok but no way to check. The filter was oil soaked but the oil did not seem to be to dirty. There was a lot of oil around the outside of the breather and on the carb etc. Can't tell where that came from. Dan P.S. I'm not sure what the filter is made of. www.family-fishing.com

[arjr111]

Dan, the breather in my K 321 is also metal......I would clean it in an oil solvent (maybe replace the actual filter element and replace it as per the manual......Art

[HubbardRA]

I have two K301s and a K321 all filter mounts are different but any one of them will bolt to any one of the carbs. One of the K301s gets the intake air from the from the inside of the engine shroud. This one is unique since the shroud must match the air cleaner. Kohler seems to have made several designs that were somewhat alike, but slightly different. This may be because two of these engines were from Cub Cadets. Rod H.

[IronPony]

To further clarify - I am working on the crankcase breather not the carb intake air cleaner. I hope this helps with some incoming advice/info. Dan www.family-fishing.com

[arjr111]

Dan, yes I was aware of that, degrease it replace it, as per manual, and see if it makes a difference. BTW, what color smoke are you getting....Art

[IronPony]

Art, The smoke is very heavy and white. So strong that after only a few minutes my cloths smell of it. Burn about half quart 30w per tank of gas but still have a lot of power. Starts easy, runs smoth but slow to respond when I idle down. Dan www.family-fishing.com

[HubbardRA]

Sorry that I misunderstood your question, Dan. I haven't had any problem with the crankcase breathers on Kohler engines, so I don't know any of the subtle differences. Rod H.

[arjr111]

Dan, check out this link to perr.com it might give you and idea of how to proceed. When you say that there is oil around the carb. do you mean it is blowing back out onto the engine?.....Art [url]http://www.perr.com/tip3.html[/url]

[UCD]

Dan Sounds to me like it is burning oil past the rings. If this tractor sit for a long time before you got it The rings might be stuck try this. The next time you have to add oil add ATF instead. Also you could remove the plug and put some ATF in the cylinder and let set for a day or so.You could also add A little ATF or marvel mystery oil to the gas. This will glean out any carbon build up and unstick the rings. After a couple tanks of gas it is still burning oil you need to replace the rings. This & $1.00 might get you a small Coffee Maynard aka/UCD

[arjr111]

Also, a clogged breather, can increase pressure in the case and force oil past the rings, causing excessive wear, oil consumption and heavy smoke....Art

[IronPony]

Thanks for all the input!! As you can tell I am trying to avoid replacing the rings because I am new at this and have never done it before. I have checked the crankcase breather and it is ok. I have changed the oil and used 20w50 for the winter hoping to slow down the oil burn a little and still be able to start the engine in -20 weather. I have just put some ATF in the cylinder to see if that helps (free rings if frozen). How much ATF is ok to add to the 3 gallon gas tank to try to remove any internal carbon build up? After having taken off the carb to access the crankcase breather and drained the float bowl in the process and reassembled it all, she started up in 3 seconds flat! What a great tractor!! Dan www.family-fishing.com

[UCD]

Dan Add one to two ounces ATF or marvel mystery oil per gallon. Directions on marvel Mystery can say 4 ounces to 10 gallons gas. The next time you add oil (you said it goes down about 1/2 quart per tank) add ATF instead this will also help free the rings if they are sticking. After about 2 tanks of gas if it is still burning oil you might just have to tear it down and replace the rings but it is worth the try. I have done this on car engines that have sit and it has worked. A customer brought me a 1976 TR6 that had sit for 10 years. I got it running and it smoked so bad you couldn't see for fifty feet. I filled the cylinders with ATF let sit for a day. All the ATF went into the oil pan. Started it and drove it for about fifty miles. When I got back to the garage it was not smoking. I changed the oil and it ran good no smoke no noisy valve lifters. This & $1.00 might get you a small Coffee Maynard aka/UCD

[IronPony]

I won't get to try the ATF for awhile. I work for FEMA, when they need me. They just called and I will be going to Corpus Christi, TX in the morning. Will be there from 2 weeks to 2 months. I will give an update when I get back. Thanks for all your help - Keep your powder dry. Every day above ground is a good day. Dan www.family-fishing.com