Engine - Kohler Triad OHC 16 - Not a good engine?

jemanner

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  • / Engine - Kohler Triad OHC 16 - Not a good engine?
Have a Walker mower with a Kohler Triad OHC 16 engine. Used in a non-commercial application about 2 hours/week, with 162 hours on the meter. Checked the valve adjustment recently, and noticed the cam lobe which operates the fuel pump appears to have serious wear. So far, still chugging along. However, asked the dealer service department about this, and they said "it is not the best engine Walker has used." From early on have used Mobil 1 10-30 synthetic and changed it often, so it is doubtful this can be blamed on the oil. Anybody out there with experience on this powerplant? Suggestions for a replacement, if it comes to that? Or, possibly insufficient hardening on the cam lobe, and replace the camshaft only?
 

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jimbo64

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  • / Engine - Kohler Triad OHC 16 - Not a good engine?
Have a Walker mower with a Kohler Triad OHC 16 engine. Used in a non-commercial application about 2 hours/week, with 162 hours on the meter. Checked the valve adjustment recently, and noticed the cam lobe which operates the fuel pump appears to have serious wear. So far, still chugging along. However, asked the dealer service department about this, and they said "it is not the best engine Walker has used." From early on have used Mobil 1 10-30 synthetic and changed it often, so it is doubtful this can be blamed on the oil. Anybody out there with experience on this powerplant? Suggestions for a replacement, if it comes to that? Or, possibly insufficient hardening on the cam lobe, and replace the camshaft only?

sounds like "soft" cam but am surprised--------Kohler usually makes a pretty good engine- have you tried contacting Koehler about this---curious as to what there reply would be:confused2:
 

ILENGINE

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The triad is a lost foam casting technology engine with a one piece upper crankcase cylinder head assy. Kohler discontinued this engine a few years back because the pressed in cylinder sleeves were dropping into the crankcase causing engine failures. There is a kohler retrofit kit that replaced that engine with a command engine.
 

jemanner

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sounds like "soft" cam but am surprised--------Kohler usually makes a pretty good engine- have you tried contacting Koehler about this---curious as to what there reply would be:confused2:

At the time of discovery, a year or so ago, did just this. In a nutshell, Kohler played dumb. Realistically, I did not expect them to say "yes, we had a known manufacturing quality control problem and will cover it out of good will."
 

jemanner

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The triad is a lost foam casting technology engine with a one piece upper crankcase cylinder head assy. Kohler discontinued this engine a few years back because the pressed in cylinder sleeves were dropping into the crankcase causing engine failures. There is a kohler retrofit kit that replaced that engine with a command engine.

Thanks, good to know! Won't chase the present engine with too many repairs, but be prepared to replace it with the Command series. At the time of Walker purchase, seriously considered coughing up the extra funds to get the Kubota diesel powerplant. Now wish I had.
 

linehand

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Depending on the age of your Walker, Contact Walker because they are very aware of this problem. My problem started with hi oil consumption. Walker is a very good company, your right Kohler did play stupid. GOOD LUCK
 

berniebenz

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I have a Walker model MC with a Kohler OHC 16 (model TH16S) and all the manuals for both. Nowhere do I find the engine called a "Triad". Different engine?
 

ILENGINE

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same engine the ohc engine was called a triad because the block consist of lower crankcase, upper crankcase/cylinders/heads, and the valve covers
 

Bushy

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sounds like "soft" cam but am surprised--------Kohler usually makes a pretty good engine- have you tried contacting Koehler about this---curious as to what there reply would be:confused2:

Have you bought a Kohler Engine in the past two years!! They are Junk
 
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