My Exmark is a 2007 Lazer Z HP with the Kawasaki FH580V. I’m about to hit 1,300 hours and the mower is still going strong. In mid March I did a lot of maintenance in preparation of the mowing season. Along with new ignition coils, plugs, oil/filters, and valve lash set at .005”, I removed the engine shroud to clean the engine and replace the breather with the upgraded kit. The old breather cover was leaking a little which made an oily/debris mess all over the engine cases and cooling fin. I had to remove the flywheel and lift the stator to replace the breather. If I hadn’t done this cleaning, I ran the high risk of overheating and damaging the engine. Now, it starts easily without the choke and runs very strong. Use this info and experience as you see fit.
This was a bad design on many of the "FH" Kawasaki engines. The breather cover plate has a poor gaskets design that fails with high hours of run time.
I try to catch them before it is too late, but many customers refuse the repair. All I can do is document it on the repair order and wait until they come back with a blown engine or one that smokes badly due to overheating and being run low on oil on a regular basis.
Of course, memory is short when they come back mad from not listening to reason, but I simply show them the previous workorder stating that they refused to repair the leak. Several required a new engine, while others just decide to walk away and abandon the machine.
At that point I give them the option to haul it away or sign a release so I can scrap it out or rebuild it myself with a new engine. That way no one can say I "stole their machine". People will often abandon a machine in a heartbeat if you let them.
Great reply. I was fortunate that I found out about the breather issue. I only had one cover bolt that was not tight. Even with 1,300 hours on my FH, it doesn’t use/burn/smoke/leak oil. I’ve always done a thorough degreasing cleanup every year plus changing the oil/filter every 30-35 hours. That may be overkill but with the harsh environment mowing causes, I will continue with my ‘over maintenance’ habits. Commercial ztr’s aren’t cheap.
#4
shurguywutt
35 hours???? A commercial lawnman would be changing the filter every week with that kind of interval!
