Kohler K241 rebuild

mozz · By: **mozz** On: Thu Mar 15, 2012 8:08 pm

Took some pictures of tearing into a 10 HP K241 Kohler from a 1970 Jacobsen Chief lawn tractor. I bought this from a guy late last year, had a plow on it which did not get used at all this year. When i got it home and drained the oil, it was half gas. Fuel pump diaphragm was leaking in to the crankcase. I think i got it just in time before any damage was done. I figured i at least better put rings in it. Since it has been warm out i figured take the motor apart and see how it looks inside. I think the rod and crank are like new, i may run scotchbrite on them but that's about all. Bore will have to scuffed up also. Best i can measure on crank and cylinder are well within wear limits.

Rob R. · By: **Rob R.** On: Thu Mar 15, 2012 8:43 pm

It appears to be in excellent shape.

mozz · By: **mozz** On: Thu Mar 15, 2012 9:08 pm

Reading up on these motors, you can sink as much money as you want into them. Hopefully, a set of rings and a gasket set is all i need. I do have an excuse to buy a parts washer now. I am going to run gravity feed as the tank is much higher than the carb. I should be able to rig up a block off plate for the fuel pump.

grizzly2 · By: **grizzly2** On: Thu Apr 26, 2012 7:52 pm

At the top of the cylinder, where the piston ring travel ends there may be a ridge. The ridge is caused by normal wear of the rings against the cyl. The underside of the ridge has probably worn with a very small radius where the original cyl. diameter meets the worn diameter. New rings will have a very sharp square corner that can hit the radius I mentioned with enough force to brake a piston land. If there is much of a ridge at the top of the cyl. at all, take it to any shop competent in engine rebuilding and have them ream the ridge out with, not surprisingly, a ridge reemer.

Good luck. Kohler has made some great engines.

mozz · By: **mozz** On: Thu Apr 26, 2012 8:03 pm

Couldn't feel any ridge or measure any. I put the top ring in the bore and it has .080 gap. Supposed to be about 15 thousands. Will try to get the ring up higher and see if that changes. Skirts didn't look bad so hopefully taper is not out of spec.

stovepipemike · By: **stovepipemike** On: Wed Jun 13, 2012 8:58 am

I almost think a good running Kohler is almost and may truly be , a match for the old Wisconsin series of cast iron engines.They are like the Wisconsin engines in another aspect too- $$$$ Mike

SMITTY · By: **SMITTY** On: Wed Jun 13, 2012 9:13 am

Yeah a replacement Kohler for my J/D is $2k!

More than half the cost of the tractor alone!

Yeah that engine looks mint - I'd have just run it, but no harm in checking if you have the time. I picked up a cheapo parts washer on eBay about 5 years ago or so. Filled it with diesel - cheapest solvent around (at least in '07), and no shipping charges. Still on the same 5 year old diesel too. Although the chinese pump seizes up now, and I have to whack the side of the washer while flipping the switch on/off 100 times before it'll start .... :roll:

freetown fred · By: **freetown fred** On: Wed Jun 13, 2012 9:43 am

A man after my own heart. My 5 gall. pail of diesel & some wire brushes been workin forever. Pump??? what's a pump? :clap:

009to090 · By: **009to090** On: Wed Jun 13, 2012 10:36 am

Nice going, Mozz... I can't wait to see the finished product. My last rebuild of a 1946 Wisconsin AEH was fun. I didn't find any wear on the internals, at all.

freetown fred wrote:A man after my own heart. My 5 gall. pail of diesel & some wire brushes been workin forever. Pump??? what's a pump?

You got it, Smitty & Fred, but I prefer a nylon brush. I'm tired of scrapping my knuckles raw. I also switched to 5 gal of minerals spirits. More expensive, but less stinky.
Yep, the cheap Parts cleaner pump lasted me all of 1 week before it quit. I just filter all the cleaner fluid thru coffee filters, when it gets so thick from crud, the parts won't sink anymore :mrgreen:

Kohler K241 rebuild

Kohler K241 rebuild

Re: Kohler K241 rebuild

Re: Kohler K241 rebuild

Re: Kohler K241 rebuild

Re: Kohler K241 rebuild

Re: Kohler K241 rebuild

Re: Kohler K241 rebuild

Re: Kohler K241 rebuild

Re: Kohler K241 rebuild