Kohler 7000 Series Head Gasket Issue. How to diagnose and repair blown head gasket.
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- Опубліковано 24 лют 2023
- How to Diagnose and Repair Blown Head Gasket on a Kohler KT735 24hp twin cylinder engine.
How to repair blown head gasket Kohler KT735. How to install head gasket Kohler 7000 series engine.
Link to purchase head gasket kit. amzn.to/3ptkM0C.
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You thought you had a problem fixing engines, this guy only has ONE hand. Bravo!
We watched this video because we suspected we also had a blown head gasket. Needless to say, I have very little mechanical ability but our Troy Bilt Super Bronco is a life saver for us where we live, from mowing to snow blowing. Having few people around us to help us, we have to learn to fix things ourselves. Brad is such a great teacher, his ability to show you how to do things in a step by step process, showing you the right tools to use and what not to do has been invaluable to us. We took our heads off the engine today and yes we do have a blown head gasket. Parts are ordered and we are confident we will have no problems replacing them and having our tractor run like new. Thank you so much for making this video!!
Great Video! I was a Diesel mechanic for Caterpillar for 20 years and I appreciate your work ethic.
Thanks Joe. Thank you for watching and the kind comment!
Good video. I've got a 2014 Kohler KT-725. No head gasket problems yet, but both valve covers have leaked over time and needed new RTV. That exhaust gets super hot, and I think that's been the problem with mine. Now that I know, I keep an eye on oil levels constantly.
Thank you very much for your amazing video.God bless you always.
Very informative video. Excellent mechanic skills. Having someone who can operate the camera to the benefit of the viewer sure makes it easier to understand the procedures. Great work by both of you!
I just discovered your video in my UA-cam feed. Exceptionally well-done. You're articulate, precise and the camera work allows the viewer to see everything. I have the identical engine in my 2015 Hustler zero-turn Raptor. By 2017 I was hearing the "swosh" from one cylinder on engine shutoff and it was indeed a blown head gasket (with not more than about 100 hours logged). Had a local shop do the work and has been running fine ever since. I'm really thinking it was a Kohler design flaw as I've been pretty dedicated to monitoring/managing all fluids.
Again, much thanks for posting such an effective DIY video. Will bookmark it and do the work myself next if there's a "next time".
Continued success!
Thanks for watching and the kind comment:)
To verify, the outer-larger "nut" on the valve adjustment is the nut to turn for the valve clearance adjustment and the center Torx screw is the nut locker.... Also, be sure to check the valve clearance AFTER you tighten the center locking screw, (using two wrenches), to make sure the valve lash did not change during tightening.... Right now I'm gathering all the parts to R&R my 5400 18 HP single cylinder head gasket and your video provided the general steps to follow with my upcoming "fun-time".... Thanks for all of your informative videos....
P.S. At only a cost of $4.11 for my single valve cover, it is wise to buy one in the likely event you F-up the one taken off.... 🙂
A fellow small engine mechanic here. Great job buddy. I was very impressed with your diagnoses and your repair. You take pride in your work, and I like that!!
Thank you for watching and the kind comment!
I just spent like a month working on this engine, wish I had found this video earlier! Great channel btw
I hope all went well with your engine and happy you found my channel! Thank you for watching, and the kind comment. Please share my channel with your friends to help it grow. It would be greatly appreciated.
After watching your video, I am convinced that if I ever have this problem, I have no business attempting this repair. Definitely a job for you. Always enjoy your videos, you're a very talented mechanic.
Hi Mac, yes, this isn't for everyone. I put this out there for all to see about the Kohler 7000 series head gasket issue. This one was most likely caused by the user, low oil or even mice making there home inside around the spark plug, overheating the engine.
That was an excellent diagnostic (swishing sound). Mine had it, followed your video, replaced the gasket and the mower runs great again. THANKS!
I’m glad it was helpful. Thank you for watching in the kind comment! Please give this video a like, and share my channel with your friends to help me grow! It would be greatly appreciated
I got rid of my old stamped valve covers and replaced them with the composite valve covers. No more sealant, just an oval ring inside. Now to check my valve clearances I just remove the valve cover, check my clearances, inspect my oval rings and replace the covers. You did a great job cleaning the piston top and all around where the head goes, I just wished you had shown us the underside of the head where the valves are to see how clean that was. Food for thought.
Oh Man I could never do what you did. You know all the little tricks, all the best way to deal with problems, and how NOT to damage anything you need to put back on. There is no way a normal non mechanic. can do. Thank you for basically not to try to fix something like that. Thank you for another great video!
Thanks Steven, keep the oil clean and the mice out and you should never need to perform the repair! :)
Man your videos are so good. Congrats to you and your video team. Really clear instructions and great attention to detail. So helpful. Found one of your vids from a couple of years ago and subscribed straight away. I watch a lot of these sorts of channels and yours are right up there with the best. You should teach. Kids would really relate to your attitude and way of explaining. Very accessible. I'm absolutely positive your channel is going to flourish. This is definitely how I like to learn. Cheers and best wishes from Perth, Western Australia. Keep 'em coming. I'll be there to watch.
Hi Marcus,
Thank you for supporting the channel and the kind words.
Great video. I'm not much of a mechanic but I could probably perform this repair with the help of your video. It is detailed and complete. Thanks.
I’m glad it was helpful and thank you for the kind comment!
Thank you , you gave me all the torx specs and clearly explained disassemble and reassemble so I could understand . Dude , you freakin ROCK in my book ... God bless you friend !!!
I'm glad this video was helpful! Thank you for watching, the kind comment and supporting the channel. Please give this video a like and share my channel to help it grow. It would be greatly appreciated!
Thank you and your camera person for your excellent video. Great job, great instruction, great quality video.
Thank you kindly!
I wish I had seen this before I had to do it myself. You had great tricks. Excellent video.
Thanks Dean, I’ve only had the video out for less than a week so most likely it wasn’t around when you performed yours. Did you find a reason why yours had the issue? I always try and find out why it happened so you can try and make sure it doesn’t happen again.
Wow, absolutely great....
After watching this twice I replaced my head gasket.
You made it simple. :)
Hi Gary, glad to hear and thank you for the kind comment. Please give this video a like, subscribe and tell your friends about the channel to help it grow. It would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for watching and very happy all went good:)
The Contant of this is very clear and concise, and I believe I must disagree about the possible cause of the head gasket blowing with your comment of low oil level, I just did mine courage 25 hp vintage 2007. I’ve owned it since new. I am very diligent of checking my oil and have never run it low Also, no obstructions around the Fins of the heads! With the upgraded head gaskets, I believe this is definitely manufacture error in head gasket design. Keep up the good work.
Thanks Steve, I do agree with you to agree as obviously, they made a change in the head gasket. But the dark heat marks don’t lie! Did you find any heat marks? I also know this customer had mice issues where the machine was sitting. Briggs and Stratton have had a issue for over 20 years and I still replace heads gaskets. This was my first one on the 7000 series. Did you replace both or just one? Just curious if you heard the sound on both sides.
Very informative video. I have the Kohler 7000 in my husky as well. I have now attacked the leaky valve covers with success.
Hi Ed, I’m glad it was helpful and thank you for the kind comment.
That was a nice clean repair. Excellent job my man!! Thanks for posting it
I’m glad it was helpful and thank you for the kind comment. Please give this video a like and share my channel with your friends to help it grow. It would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for watching.
I just finished doing the same thing to a Kohler CV730 . I took the heads to a friend's machine shop. He ground the valves and seats. What surprised me was last year I did a compression check the #1 was 115 #2 was 117. After the valve job, #1 was 130,#2 was 160. I don't know how many hours are on this engine, so I'm sure it needs new rings as well.
Very nice job. Sometimes I will use a reverse torx on the exhaust studs if they will come out easily. Kohler and Briggs use to be the best. No so much any more. I have changed cams on Briggs due to compression release failure. Wish Briggs had owned up to that issue and send the parts for much less money. I think the Kawasaki engines are amung the best now. Thanks for a great video.
Thanks. You know when the compression release on the Briggs engines fail when you need a 1000CCA battery to start your machine!! LOL :). I install at least two cams a year. It’s not that common and most customers will not repair due to the cost. It depends on condition of the machine when it happens. I agree with you about the Kawasaki engine! Thank you again for watching and commenting:)
Thanks a million, or one subscribe (all I can afford right now). This was not my problem but the link you put in there to the Kohler manual nailed it. I looked all over the place for that. I'll be checking in.
Thanks for subscribing!! Much appreciated:)
Great video!! I was looking at a Cub with a 7000 hd engine. Will rethink it. In the meantime... this channel will sit right next to Taryl Dactal! Good work!
Hi Bruce, I actually like this engine and obviously they changed the gasket and that is telling us they had an issue. I have seen many of these twins and they are very powerful. Just remember to keep the oil level correct, change it (and oil filter) when needed and keep mice away and the engine should be there a long time. Thank you for watching, the kind comment and supporting my channel!!
Thanks!! I noticed the replacement gasket is a LOT beefier than stock. Too bad there doesnt seem to be a valve cover gasket. Thanks again! Great content!! 🍺
I learned more from you than anyone else
Thank you for the kind comment:)
THANK-YOU VERY MUCH MATE...STAY AWESOME....THANK-YOU FOR VIDEO ...NICE JOB !!
I’m glad it was helpful and thank you for the kind comment. Please give this video a like and share my channel to help it grow. It would be greatly appreciated!
Great video! I have this exact model so this is going straight to my saved favorites should I need it in the future. Cheers.
Thank you! You should be ok if you keep your oil clean and at the correct level. Keep the mice out if you have any issues with those critters!
Same cylinder, same place were mine was damaged. Always had plenty of oil though. When replacing in the Spring discovered the mice over winter helped themselves to the ignition coil wires. Primary and secondary.
Hi Jim, as you found out, mice can create major issues with machines. Especially in the climates where we store our machines for the winter. I deal with mice issues on many machines in the spring due to no start conditions. Try putting a ton off moth balls in the breathable bags all over the engine and frame near the engine to help keep mice away. If needed you may need to bait them. I have pets so moth balls for me seems to deter them. I must say, you do need to use a lot of moth balls. Thank you for watching and commenting:)
FANTASTIC CHANNEL!!!
SUBSCRIBED!
LIKED!
THANK YOU!
Many thanks!!
Outstanding video... Thank you!
I’m glad it was helpful and thank you for the kind comment. Please give this a like and tell your friends about the channel to help it grow. It would be greatly appreciated! Thank you for watching.
Great video! I really enjoyed it.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Good
Mechanic I just did this job on a briggs Intek
Excellent video, Thank you ❤
I’m glad it was helpful and thank you for the kind comment. Please give this video a like and share my channel to help it grow. It would be greatly appreciated! Thank you for watching:)
Thanks so much for your very helpful videos, where do you get your Kohler parts..etc
Awesome video!
I'm glad it was helpful and thank you for the kind comment.
Another great video I sure appreciate it
Thanks Terry and thank you for watching, commenting and supporting the channel:)
Excellent video. Thank you
Hi Shannon, I'm glad it was helpful and thank you for the kind comment.
I like your video is just got me convinced that I know I could do it thank you
Just take your time and you’ll be fine!
THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP
I’m glad it was helpful! Thank you for watching and the kind comment.
Great video. Clear and concise.
I have the KT735 Kohler engine on my zero turn mower.
The same head you repaired gives me problems that lead to running hot.
The heat shield surrounds the head and curves beneath the head.
The fins of the head clog up with yard waste.
I want to cut a portion of the shield away at the bottom of the shield.
I hope that will allow waste to drop down and less accumulation to clog the fins.
Do you think it will make an improvement?
Thanks for any thoughts.
The fins/shrouds are designed for cooling from the fan on top of the engine. I would suggest blowing off your unit every time your finished mowing and it will help. Don’t let it get a chance to accumulate.
How do I do a compression test on this type of motor?
Thank you for the video.... I have my KT725 apart and suspected a bad head gasket, but instead found a nest and gunk in the cylinder head fins (heat). I also found one of the three cylinder head bolts completely loose which would make sense. Ever see these KT725s assembled with one bolt loose? The head gasket looks ok. I'm wondering how this happens.
Normally, when I find head bolts loose, it’s due to either a mouse nest that overheated the engine or clogged head fins that could also overheat the engine, allowing everything to loosen up as he gets too hot.
Great video. Thank you
I’m glad it was helpful! Thank you for watching and the kind comment.
Hello thank you for this video..I think I have an exhaust leak on this same motor. Is there a certain way to install the bolts when putting muffler back on. Also do the gaskets need to go on any certain way. One bolt dose not want to tighten. Thanks a lot for your help
Every job is different and you do the best you can. I don’t think you can install the gaskets incorrectly and if you’re talking about the nuts on the muffler, they only go on one way.
How many hours does this job take if you had to quote it?
I have this same engine on a Cub Cadet zero turn. It's overheating where the exhaust pipe glows a little orange and I can see flames licking out of the muffler when running in the dark. Do you think head gasket or valve related? I have not pulled the valve cover to check the valve clearance. Could it be as simple as a valve clearance adjustment?
Thanks for this well done video! It shows a lot of good detail on how to disassemble around the head. I'm now a subscriber!
The muffler or pipes should never glow red. The engine is either running lean, overheating or over revving. You may have many different issues now, yes including a blown head gasket and valve issues.
Incredible Job! Nice work! I just bought a new Cub Cadet Cub Cadet 2023 XT1 Enduro LT 46 in. 23 HP V-Twin Kohler 7000 Series Engine Hydrostatic Drive Gas Riding Lawn Tractor. Yikes I hope my head gaskets don't blow. Has cub cadet fixed this problem with the better new robust gasket pictured? or is failure only due to a low oil situation? Thanks
Hi David, I think this happened due to overheating from mice. You would think the newer made engines would have the upgraded head gaskets.
Great video, what did you use to clean up the head surface as well as the valve cover?
A fine wire wheel on a drill.
Would I be correct in assuming this would cause oil to shoot out of the dipstick tube? I adjusted the valves and it still did it
Not necessarily, If the oil level is correct and If you leave the dip stick off of any small engine you most likely will have oil shoot out. You normally can hear the head gasket if it is blown.
Thank you for this video,very helpful. I have this same motor on a scagg zero turn. It’s still running but it very loud and I can feel air blowing bownward on the left side head. Would this be a gasket problem too. Thanks for any help.
When you turn off the machine and you hear the swooshing sound as you did in this video I would assume that yes it is a head gasket issue. You could check to make sure the exhaust is tight and if it is most likely, it’s a head gasket.
Thanks so much
I see that your moving on up to bigger work. Glad to see this some really need this. I myself needed it and believe the kholer engine is a better one but low oil with mess any engine up. I got stuck with a kawasaki on my cub cadet but seems to run good but rather of had a kholer. Job well done and keep them coming.
Thanks Michael, I have performed many head gasket replacements in the Kohler and Briggs and Stratton engines through the years but have found it difficult to it get on a video. I thought this was important to document due to its a newer engine. I prefer Kawasaki engines over the Kohler.
Hey I just want to say congratulations good job I like the way you work I'm small engine mechanic myself I just kind of wondering why you only did the one head gasket instead of both especially since you know that their problem on that motor
No need to repair the side that was good. Plus it would add unnecessary cost to the repair.
Impressive 👍
Great video 👍
Thank you for watching and the kind comment. I’m glad it was helpful.
how did you know which cylinder had the blown gasket? can you audibly hear the swishing noise from the specific head and that’s how you knew? i have a kt740 with a similar issue, about to dive into it in the next few days, thank you!
In the beginning of the video I heard a swooshing sound of air coming out of the one side and pointed it out. Obviously you may not have heard it well on the video but you should be able to tell ast home.
What can cause the breather to overfill with gas and finding wet spark plugs?
Without seeing the machine my guess would be. If you smell gas in your oil? If your oil level is higher than normal you most likely have gas in the oil and this can be caused by he carburetor failing internally and can let fuel enter the engine. It can then enter the cylinders and foul spark plugs or worse fill the cylinder with a a lot of fuel.
Great Video - How did you know that head was bad and not the other one? Should you replace both at the same time? Thanks for your help.
In the beginning of the video I heard a swooshing sound of air coming out of the one side and pointed it out. Obviously you may not have heard it well on the video but you should be able to tell ast home. A compression test should also be able to find it. I only repair the side that is blown. It doesn't happen often and when it does there are normally reasons for it. I try and keep the cost down for the customers. If it needs both then I will perform both. If you feel you want to perform both then go for it! I would hope by now all newer engines have the upgraded gasket in it. Time will tell.
That exhaust valve that got hot, would that also be caused by a worn valve stem seal ?
No, There is no valve stem seal on the exhaust side. If you have a bad valve stem seal, the engine would burn oil and you would see white smoke from the exhaust.
i am doing the very same thing on my cub cadet same engine, are all the covers really necessary?
Yes
Excellent video. How did you know which side had the blown head gasket?
You can hear the swooshing come from one side or the other. If you here it on both sides then replace both.
Good video.
Thank you! I’m glad it was helpful.
When my Koehler 7000 is idling I hear a surge up and down, is it a carb issue or something else?
Impossible to diagnose without hearing the engine as it may be a few things. Sometimes you can get the engine to stop surging at idle by turning in the idle screw just a little . Other than that you may need to adjust governor settings found in your manual or it could be dirt in the carburetor (worse case scenario). Let me know when you figure it out.
Great. Thank you.
I’m glad it was helpful. Thank you for watching and the kind comment.
How do you diagnose what side valve cover to take off to get to that gasket?
When you are listening for the whooshing sound around the :50 second to1:00 mark in the video. You can tell which side it is coming from. You will be able to tell when you perform this on your machine. If it sounds like it is coming from both sides then I would check exhaust gaskets first and after that replace both sides (if your hearing both sides whooshing sound). The machine in this video had just one head gasket issue.
@@JohnsonsSmallEngines awesome thank you sir!
👍👍
I never used a torck wrench on lawnmower head's an never had a problem 😁😁😁
Great video! I just subbed. How did you know which head gasket blew?
Hi William, you can listen to it and figure out which side was making the noise. It’s pretty straight forward.
@@JohnsonsSmallEngines ok, thank you for the quick reply.
Kohler and Briggs and Stratton need to add a fire ring to the head gaskets.
With proper maintenance, how reliable are these Kohler 7000 series engines? Are they on the same level as a Kawasaki?
I like the 7000 series twin engine. It will be a good engine as long as you take care of it. No telling how many hours you can get out of them. In my opinion you cannot compare the two engines as you will get what you pay for. Japanese engines have better quality and you pay for it. Kawasaki engines are not cheap and will last. The Kohler 7000 series engines are much cheaper and do not have the same quality because of that. I can say with good preventative maintenance both will last a long time but Japanese engines in my opinion are better.
Johnson's small engines. Excuse what is the specifications on a Justments the valves . Intek and exhaust. On this engine please do you think is possible can you tell me!!.?
You can find all specifications in the manual online.www.kohlerengines.com/engines/onlinecatalog/pdf/32_690_03_ENA.pdf
Thanks!! I appreciate it!
@@JohnsonsSmallEngines Thanks for the manual, I was looking for that. You are awesome. Great video and camera work.
What is the new part number because they sent me the old style plus I asked them for the new style 😊
For the 7000 series engine in this video the part number is 32-841-02-S. Here is my Amazon link. amzn.to/3ptkM0C.
Since you are In there, would you change the other head gasket?
It is personal preference. I stick with the motto if it’s not broke, don’t fix it and for 30 years I have yet to see a machine come back for the other side. There are a lot of variables with the head gaskets blowing. It’s not just the design of the head gasket or engine. It is also how you keep your machine running and maintained. It also cost is almost twice as much at a repair shop. Basically it comes down to each machine per how it sounds basis. If you’re doing this job yourself and you feel that you should do both both then do both! Like you said while you’re there.
Thanks for your insights.@@JohnsonsSmallEngines
You can also tell it got hot because it melted the throttle cable which was directly below that head
The melted throttle cable happens. Bad design by Kohler. It sits over the exhaust pipe.
What was the customer orginal complaint, was it just the noise or where there other complaints like loss of power etc. Great video
The noise was found when the machine was in for service. It was caught before any issues came up. If not taken care of, the compression would have gone away making the tractor run poorly.
Would that cause it to surge in and out of power if a head gasked is blowed ?
How did you know which side was blown?
You can hear which side it is when shutting down the engine. The swooshing sound. It may have been a little hard on the video, but you should be able to distinctively hear it on which side if they’re both blown, and then the sound will be on both sides.
Looks like the new gasket has a fire ring...
this is a $700 repair at the Dealer for both heads
My Kohler blew out the gaskets at 130 hours. Junk! If they put a flame ring around the cylinder hole in the gasket , they would last much longer!
what sadistic person engineered this pain!
If you go this far. Do you need to check compression. Maybe you need rings and crank. Maybe a total rebuild. Valves job.
This happens to a lot of different engines. This is a repair that I perform often and the engine just keeps on going. If you were to rebuild this in my shop you would be at the price of a new engine or more so we do what we can do to keep the machines running. This Cub Cadet is only 3 years old and most likely could have been avoided. The engine is in good condition now and should last a long time if taken care of.
BLOWN HEAD GASKET ??...MACHINE LOOKS NEWISH .. WHAT THE HECK !!!
A blown engine head gasket on any small engine is bad thing 😳🥺
Agreed! It happens more than you think. Normally from mice making there homes inside and of course the consumer that does not check the oil.
@@JohnsonsSmallEngines yeah buddy 😎 it's a strange thing to have some one believe the no oil change mowers they sell at home Depot 😳
It’s getting to be very common now on all brands of air cooled engines
LOVE ALL THAT PLASTIC THEY USE NOWADAYS....SAVING THE ENVIRONMENT....DESIGNED /ASSEMBLED IN USA ??..BUT MOST ALL OF THE PARTS ARE STILL MADE OUTSIDE THE USA...LIKE CHINA !! IN AMERICA WE TWIST WORDS REALLY GOOD .....$$$$$$$....SAVING THE PLANET....RIGHT GOT IT ...LAH LAH LAND !!