Kohler Engine Suddenly Loses Power

[tommyg 152]

Cutting the grass with my Kohler powered D-180 this afternoon when all of a sudden, it sounded like I hit something with the blade. The engine really seemed like it was straining to spin the blades, so I quickly pulled back on the pto. It seemed to run fine and nothing was bound up under the deck. Every time I tried to re-engage the pto, it would bog down. Decided to bring it back to the garage to take a closer look. The engine was straining even to move the tractor at high speed, but otherwise ran OK. When I got to the garage, I shut it down and double checked spark plug cables to make sure they were secure. Then for some reason, placed my hand near the exhaust on the right side and there was virtually no exhaust coming out. Could I have broken a rod? I've been noticing a tapping sound for a long time, but it's been getting seemingly worse lately. But it would go away at high RPM's, so I wasn't too concerned thinking it might just be a valve clearance issue. Now I'm thinking it might have been a warning sign. What do  you guys think?

[953 nut 54,391]

Tapping sound never lead to good things. Sorry to say it is time to pull the plugs and check for compression.

[tommyg 152]

Absolutely no compression on the right cylinder.

Edited July 14, 2015 by tommyg

[pacer 3,160]

Likely a rod came apart After hearing a tapping noise and then you dont feel any exhaust that likely means the piston aint moving.

Now for the really bad news! parts for that 18hp are scarce as hens teeth. I'm just finishing up a D-200 and needed a rod and scoured the net for days and days when suddenly one popped up on the bay - whew! Piston and rings will interchange from a K-301 (I'm pretty sure) on my K-532 I'm using piston/rings from a K-321, but head gaskets wont interchange and they too are hard to find. Gaskets and rods will interchange from the K-482, K-532 and the K-582.

[tommyg 152]

Great. This is work I'm not even going to attempt. I've got a guy locally that's really good at rebuilding these things. I've gotta hope he's got some options for me.