Steve Ealy 3 #1 Posted July 27 Greetings, Just joined! The reason is, I have a 308-8 with the valves banging their way into the head, or so I've been told by a local shop?! They've also said it's prohibitively expensive to repair and the replacement engine is very rare! My question is the obvious one - what to do with it? 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lynnmor 7,305 #2 Posted July 27 First thing is find another shop. Now what is the issue that needs repaired? Explain what is going on and you will find folks on here that can help. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 67,472 #3 Posted July 27 Steve! 1 hour ago, lynnmor said: First thing is find another shop. Have to admit that's the first thought I had as well. Many modern times repair shops are becoming more and more functional as "parts replacers" than actually doing any technical work. It's nothing against the businesses but a standard that's been changing industry wide over decades. Engine rebuilding facilities are increasingly ucommon. Some shops will still replace engines as whole assemblies but not delve into the repair. There are still older engines available for purchase to replace your own. Before you go that route... Can you post video and/or better describe exactly what your engine is doing and why you thought it needed repair at all? 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Kennell 38,170 #4 Posted July 27 to the Steve. What did the shop base it's, "the valves are banging into the head" , diagnosis on? Did they hear it running? Please tell us what the problem is and post a video of it running. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 67,472 #5 Posted July 27 4 hours ago, Steve Ealy said: valves banging their way into the head, or so I've been told by a local shop?! This would be particularly interesting on these engines considering it's a flathead with the valves are in the BLOCK. Not the head. I'd love to see a written estimate for repairs. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ri702bill 8,318 #6 Posted July 27 And - is this just a valve lash issue?? The 10 HP K Series have adjusters, not sure about the M series... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pfrederi 17,739 #7 Posted July 27 M-8 does not have adjustable valves. Agree with the above highly unlikely "valves are hitting the head" 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Steve Ealy 3 #8 Posted July 27 All great info! Thanks guys! As you can tell I know nothing about Kohlers! In an effort to be correct I meant "the valves are pounding their way into the block"... I then took it to the shop close to my house and it was pretty much just as 'Ebinmaine' described, they didn't want the job... If I run it, after a bit the power starts to erode until it eventually dies! I'll mess with it and see if I can get it running? I'll post some video following that. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 67,472 #9 Posted July 27 1 minute ago, Steve Ealy said: All great info! Thanks guys! As you can tell I know nothing about Kohlers! In an effort to be correct I meant "the valves are pounding their way into the block"... I then took it to the shop close to my house and it was pretty much just as 'Ebinmaine' described, they didn't want the job... If I run it, after a bit the power starts to erode until it eventually dies! I'll mess with it and see if I can get it running? I'll post some video following that. It's entirely possible that with the right questions and information going back n forth you'll get it figured out with the help of the folks on this site. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Handy Don 12,217 #10 Posted July 27 (edited) 7 hours ago, Steve Ealy said: the valves are pounding their way into the block Sounds like double-talking obfuscation to me. Are you comfortable removing the head (you’ll need a new gasket and, ideally, a torque wrench to put it back on)? That’ll give you definitive information to work with instead of guesses. Edited July 28 by Handy Don 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SylvanLakeWH 25,557 #11 Posted July 27 Previous comments have you covered... 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Kennell 38,170 #12 Posted July 27 Can you tell us what makes you think the valves are pounding into the block? A common cure for a tractor that runs fine for a short time then dies is to loosen the fuel tank cap that may have a clogged vent hole causing a vacuum in the tank. 3 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chaz54 57 #13 Posted July 27 4 hours ago, ebinmaine said: Many modern times repair shops are becoming more and more functional as "parts replacers" than actually doing any technical work. It's nothing against the businesses but a standard that's been changing industry wide over decades. Engine rebuilding facilities are increasingly ucommon. Some shops will still replace engines as whole assemblies but not delve into the repair. Much of this is also due to the fact that the ones who knew how to do the technical work have retired. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 55,218 #14 Posted July 28 NEVER GO BACK TO THAT SHOP, they have no idea how a Kohler engine is built and are apparently attempting to empty your wallet. The valve springs on a Kohler are not strong enough to "pound their way into the block" and 8HP Kohler Magnum engines can be purchased new from several sources so they are not "very rare". As Ed said, a bad gas cap vent can stop the engine from running as a vacuum will develop in the tank that the fuel pump can't overcome. I would suggest you replace the rubber fuel hose from the tank to the fuel pump, over time they can deteriorate and stop the fuel from flowing. Also, if you are using gas with ethanol in it, please stop. That ethanol will kill a fuel system. Here is a thread that will help you find a station that sells non-ethanol gas. https://www.pure-gas.org/ 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Steve Ealy 3 #15 Posted July 28 Well, I'll say this! This is the perfect site and I'm GRATEFUL for all these suggestions! I'm gonna get it started today and video it with the gas cap off and send it to the forum. I've not tried any of these suggestions yet! I `spose I'll start with the gas line. I do have a toque wrench but I'm not sure about where to look for a head gasket... I think 'Chaz54' is exactly right about a lot of us old guys that have retired and are replaced by "youngsters" that don't have the benefit or interest in looking over the shoulder of the guy who knows what he's doing! The guy at the shop I took it to was probably about 30 IIRC? Thanks again, Steve 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 67,472 #16 Posted July 28 4 minutes ago, Steve Ealy said: where to look for a Parts availability is excellent... IF one cares to look. Redsquare has several great vendors. Lots of us have our own other sources as well. I found Wheelhorse in late 2016. We now have over a dozen tractors and a good assortment of implements. I've NEVER had a part I couldn't get. None. Any shops that say things are hard to get just isn't looking. Whatever you need... just ask. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pfrederi 17,739 #17 Posted July 28 Before plunging in it is always a good idea to take a look at the service manual You can download this one here. (Click on the fuzy picture) 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Steve Ealy 3 #18 Posted July 28 Alright, got her to run w/ minimal effort! I have the manual by the way... I haven't look into this however!? Tried to load a 1 minute video of it, the file is way too large! How to create a link to an MP.4? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 67,472 #19 Posted July 28 18 minutes ago, Steve Ealy said: Alright, got her to run w/ minimal effort! Excellent! 18 minutes ago, Steve Ealy said: Tried to load a 1 minute video of it, the file is way too large! How to create a link to an MP.4? Redsquare (policy??) request is to post links to YouTube. That way the site doesn't use memory. If you have a google account you also have a YT account. Or... @Handy Don Or others good with tech (ain't me) could help you. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Kennell 38,170 #20 Posted July 28 45 minutes ago, Steve Ealy said: Alright, got her to run w/ minimal effort! Can you tell us what it sounds like. Any unusual noises? Did it keep running with the fuel tank off? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Handy Don 12,217 #21 Posted July 28 (edited) 33 minutes ago, ebinmaine said: Or others good with tech (ain't me) could help you. Since move members using this site do not need hi-res video.... 1. Yes, upload the video to a YouTube account and then include the URL from the video in your post (you can use the “chain link” icon on the post create window to “name” your link). 2. Use your camera’s settings or a video editing tool to shorten or lower the resolution of the video so it takes a lot less space! 3. Go to the Red Square “Store” to become a supporting member to permit more and larger pictures and see your name in RED Note that it is always good netiquette to reduce the size of your images or videos so that they take less space on the server and use less bandwidth for those who are viewing them. On my Apple devices I use Preview or Photo to adjust pictures to no more than 8” wide at 72dpi and I use Photos to trim videos to the bare minimum elapsed time. These are good skills to develop! Edited July 28 by Handy Don 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
clueless 2,990 #22 Posted July 28 (edited) If all else fails there is a guy here that has a brand-new Kohler M8 like the one you have but with out the gas tank but it does have the two hole mount for it on it. If you pretty good with a wrench and screw drivers it would probably take you less than an hour to have a new M8 on your 308. You can find it in the Non-Wheel Horse section of the classified section here. He want $800, the shipping and setting it up is on your dime. Also this has the 15 amp charging system for lights and battery. Edited July 28 by clueless 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Steve Ealy 3 #23 Posted July 29 (edited) I've never posted a video to Youtube, so that will be another learning experience for me! As for the tractor, it sounds great sitting at idle and will run fine for a while... With a load however, after a bit it loses power until it eventually dies. I've not tried to run it with the fuel tank removed. I guess that can be an experiment for later today in between rain drops? Here is my first attempt at attaching a link...https://youtu.be/qvlr3w6H-Xo Edited July 29 by Steve Ealy Added a link! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Kennell 38,170 #24 Posted July 29 Sounds like it simply runs out of fuel when the carb bowl gets empty. Lack of or slow fuel supply can start at the tank. Clogged vent in cap Clogged screen on the shut off petcock Clogged petcock Dirty fuel filter Remove the fuel line at the input to the fuel pump and make sure you have a good free flowing fuel supply. If you do not, one or all of those four items may be the problem. If you do have a good fuel flow, we can then move on to checking the fuel pump and carb for problems. 3 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 67,472 #25 Posted July 29 56 minutes ago, Steve Ealy said: first attempt at attaching The link looks good but the video is private so we can't look at it. If you go into your channel homepage or individual videos, there should be a little click key to change from private to public. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
