PAULFROGSS 4 #1 Posted yesterday at 11:24 AM Good morning all, New to this site, I have owned a 417-8 since 2000 and love the machine. The engine is starting to smoke at start up and use oil. Looking for a suggestion if I can rebuild ,have someone rebuild, exchange engine or just keep adding about a 1/2 a quart every third mow. I live in Massachusetts. Thank you and stay warm Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 68,909 #2 Posted yesterday at 12:02 PM IMHO your best bet would be to contact Lincoln at A to Z Tractor in PA. I think he might be the easiest source for a plug and play Kohler flat twin. There are of course other engine options depending on your desire to put in Fab work or swapping of more parts or wires. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Achto 27,940 #3 Posted yesterday at 12:47 PM (edited) 1 hour ago, PAULFROGSS said: I have owned a 417-8 since 2000 Sounds like your KT17 has had a good life. If your KT17 is a series 1, I would suggest finding a good used KT17 series II or a M18 to replace it. Rebuild kits can be found for your engine less than $300. Need to factor in any machine work also. Edited yesterday at 12:47 PM by Achto Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pfrederi 18,019 #4 Posted yesterday at 01:04 PM I have a few KT17s and one M 18. I love them... but after spending $900 to overhaul an M-18 I will not ever try to overhaul a KT 17 or M18 (same basic engine) Depending on the amount of over/under you need for various parts they are not all readily available and can be costly. Then you have to figure machine shop work will cost double what a single engine overhaul costs. Your 417-8 had a series 2 KT17 which was a better engine but they all wear out. I would just keep adding oil and change/clean spark plugs occasionally. 6 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 56,214 #5 Posted yesterday at 01:22 PM I agree with Paul @pfrederi on keeping the present engine and attending to maintenance. One word of advice is to check the smell of your engine oil for a gasoline smell. The fuel pump is located on the top of your engine and if the datagram starts to leak it will pump gasoline into the engine oil. This will dilute the oil causing additional engine wear. 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PAULFROGSS 4 #6 Posted yesterday at 02:57 PM Thank you for the advice. There is gas smell in oil and I will just stay on maintenance.Stay warm Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 68,909 #7 Posted yesterday at 03:03 PM 5 minutes ago, PAULFROGSS said: gas smell in oil Could be a fuel pump gone bad 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Kennell 39,278 #8 Posted yesterday at 03:46 PM (edited) 2 hours ago, pfrederi said: I would just keep adding oil and change/clean spark A few ounces of oil per mowing is a small price to pay for the bug killer accessory. Oh, and to the Edited yesterday at 03:48 PM by Ed Kennell 1 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
8ntruck 7,190 #9 Posted yesterday at 03:49 PM If you have a gas smell to the oil, think seriously about rebuilding or replacing the fuel pump - sooner, rather than later. I've got a C-195 with a KT-19 series 1. Runs well, but consumes a lot of oil, mostly through an oil leak. Got to chase that down this year. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pfrederi 18,019 #10 Posted yesterday at 04:59 PM 1 hour ago, PAULFROGSS said: Thank you for the advice. There is gas smell in oil and I will just stay on maintenance.Stay warm Get an electric fuel pump..no future danger of gas contaminating the oil. Some get lucky with the cheap ebay China pumps.. I use facet posi-flo pumps made in Elmira NY... 3 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PAULFROGSS 4 #11 Posted yesterday at 06:42 PM Sorry no gas smell still might look into electric fuel pump thank you 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lynnmor 7,390 #12 Posted yesterday at 08:53 PM 2 hours ago, PAULFROGSS said: Sorry no gas smell still might look into electric fuel pump thank you In post #6 you said there was gas smell in the oil. Stop running it till you replace or rebuild the fuel pump and do a complete oil change. Be sure to use the recommended oil. If you are lucky the oil consumption might get better. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PAULFROGSS 4 #13 Posted yesterday at 09:29 PM Thank you fat fingers, there is no gas smell 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ri702bill 8,577 #14 Posted yesterday at 10:08 PM 7 hours ago, ebinmaine said: Could be a fuel pump gone bad Hmmm... we know it smokes, does it also steal hubcaps and siphon gas out of the car???? 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
