Is white smoke at idle a problem? 10 hp Kohler K241

[Mike_eash 59]

I have a charger 10 with a 10 hp kohler

I did a restoration and finally am actually able to drive it. However at idle speed 1200 rpms approximately it blows white smoke

Completely goes away at higher rpms

Is this a problem? If so what would be causing it

Thanks in advance 

[kpinnc 12,008]

Alot of unknowns in your question Mike. You said it was restored. Did that include a rebuild on the engine? Not saying it has to be rebuilt necessarily but rather just searching for details.

 

White smoke indicates oil burning. Most often this is the result of poor cylinder compression and blowby. Can be normal wear, broken/ stuck ring, or a damaged cylinder.

 

If all of those are eliminated, I'd say check the reed valve assembly. Though it would likely smoke all the time if that were the case, as well as leak oil around the seals due to crankcase over pressure. 

 

Should be enough to get you started anyway. If your engine needs rebuilding, these old Kohlers are relatively easy to rebuild. Finding a machine shop that will bore the cylinder and face the valve seats correctly is the only hurdle. 

[Mike_eash 59]

8 hours ago, kpinnc said:

Alot of unknowns in your question Mike. You said it was restored. Did that include a rebuild on the engine? Not saying it has to be rebuilt necessarily but rather just searching for details.

 

White smoke indicates oil burning. Most often this is the result of poor cylinder compression and blowby. Can be normal wear, broken/ stuck ring, or a damaged cylinder.

 

If all of those are eliminated, I'd say check the reed valve assembly. Though it would likely smoke all the time if that were the case, as well as leak oil around the seals due to crankcase over pressure. 

 

Should be enough to get you started anyway. If your engine needs rebuilding, these old Kohlers are relatively easy to rebuild. Finding a machine shop that will bore the cylinder and face the valve seats correctly is the only hurdle. 

I took the engine apart cleaned and changed all gaskets nothing major 

Everything seemed fine when I had it apart

[rmaynard 15,436]

You can't see broken or worn rings, or out of round cylinder by just looking. I am going out on a limb and say that you have a cylinder that needs at least to be honed, and rings that need to be replaced. Other than that, worn valve guides would be my next guess. Those can be detected by seeing if the valves have any side to side movement.

[Mike_eash 59]

2 hours ago, rmaynard said:

You can't see broken or worn rings, or out of round cylinder by just looking. I am going out on a limb and say that you have a cylinder that needs at least to be honed, and rings that need to be replaced. Other than that, worn valve guides would be my next guess. Those can be detected by seeing if the valves have any side to side movement.

Thank you 

[oliver2-44 9,741]

23 hours ago, Mike_eash said:

I took the engine apart cleaned and changed all gaskets nothing major 

Everything seemed fine when I had it apart

Whe you took the engine apart did you pull the piston out of the cylinder, then reinstall it with the same rings. It’s recommended to always hone the cylinder and replace the rings if the piston is pulled out. Used rings will not reseat, especially on a cylinder that has not been st least honed.