Kohler CH20S oil cooler XI

[slammer302 2,156]

I want to know if anyone knows a part # for a oil cooler for 520xi with 20hp kohler ch20s. Thanks!

[bmsgaffer 2,046]

I dont have the part numbers on me, but it is several parts, you will need the adapter, the hoses, the radiator and the mounting. Also the shroud has a special cutout in it for the oil cooler.

 

I do have to say, my new engine came with the cooler and the oil temp gauge never goes more than 1/4 way up the green section. However if you are seeing oil temp problem, I would look for other solutions first. None of the wheel horses were spec'd with coolers.

[slammer302 2,156]

The 522xi with 52" deck I bought last year runs cooler than this 520xi but it has 2hp less and a 60" deck. I may try changing oil brands and see what happens. 

[6bg6ga 272]

8 hours ago, bmsgaffer said:

I dont have the part numbers on me, but it is several parts, you will need the adapter, the hoses, the radiator and the mounting. Also the shroud has a special cutout in it for the oil cooler.

 

I do have to say, my new engine came with the cooler and the oil temp gauge never goes more than 1/4 way up the green section. However if you are seeing oil temp problem, I would look for other solutions first. None of the wheel horses were spec'd with coolers.

 

When you consider the properties of oil it makes sense to incorporate a oil cooler into your Wheel Horse.  What does oil do? I was taught it cleans, cushions, cools, and lubricates. It only makes sense in my mind to keep the oil within a specific temperature range. A good cooler has a thermostat in the design and this way the oil maintains its temp within a range. Some here on the forum are capable of putting something together from scratch if needed. If there isn't a kit available a lot of work could be done on a mill.

[19richie66 17,537]

Maybe this would work.

https://resources.kohler.com/power/kohler/enginesUS/pdf/25_800_148_Accessories Guide.pdf

 

 

[slammer302 2,156]

19richie66 i was looking at the kits like that but wanted to extend the hose length to get the cooling radiator out of the engine bay were all the heat is and maybe in behind the fire wall were the engine draws its air but i worry the length the oil would have to travel may kill oil pressure.  

[19richie66 17,537]

I wouldn't think it would hurt the oil pressure. Still going to have pressure from the pump pushing new oil through. Lot of mowers have long hoses on the coolers like Dixie Chopper and hustlers. Should be ok. Just my opinion.

[6bg6ga 272]

If your going to alter the lingth of the oil lines I would also check the pressure. What is the normal oil pressure of the engine? Has it had any effect after installing the cooler? If so I would not add onto the lines but rather add a electric fan to cool the oil cooler radiator. Also, is there a high pressure high volume pump available? Can one blueprint the pump to obtain more pressure?

[Dennys502 245]

Typically Oil filters and coolers are on the return line so oil pressure isn't an issue.

 

[6bg6ga 272]

They can be on either the supply or return line. Seen both.

[Dennys502 245]

I have one that mounts directly on the block - The remote is probably better. I haven't seen anything about

On a side note when you're as old as me sometimes I'm thinking about one thing while replying about another.

The brain was thinking hydraulics not engines.

 

 

Edited May 15, 2017 by Dennys502

[bmsgaffer 2,046]

10 hours ago, slammer302 said:

19richie66 i was looking at the kits like that but wanted to extend the hose length to get the cooling radiator out of the engine bay were all the heat is and maybe in behind the fire wall were the engine draws its air but i worry the length the oil would have to travel may kill oil pressure.  

 

The kit is designed to put the cooler right up at the shroud. There is a cutout of the shroud to allow the cool intake air to blow through the oil cooler. 

 

It is hard to fit, i had to modify the mounting to fit the cooler in above the frame rails (obviously not an issue if you are doing the cutout yourself).

 

The only concern I have is that this reduces the air flow over the heads (as some is escaping through the oil cooler), and maybe that is the reason that WH spec`d it the way they did... I would be hard to get it up in front of the firewall, and I think you might not see as much benefit as nothing is forcing the air through the radiator. If you dont duct it, most of the air will just flow around it.

 

I dont believe the kohler version is thermostatic, thats why they keep it so small.

[shallowwatersailor 3,213]

If you do proper maintenance on the engine, an oil cooler wouldn't be necessary. But that means cleaning the heads every 100 hours per Kohler; using a good quality synthetic engine oil; and allowing the engine to cool down after use before shutting it off. A worthwhile accessory, if adding anything to the engine, are the access panels for the shroud. Keeping an air-cooled engine clean is key to long life.

[6bg6ga 272]

I'll disagree. An oil cooler is a good add on piece of equipment. If its good on the big engines it can't hurt the little ones. ANY time you can lower the oil temp its worth the effort to do so.

 

I'll agree with keeping the cooling fins clean so the air cooled engine will enjoy a longer life.  If there is an written proof that synthetic oil increases life I would love to see it.  I use Mobile 1 in the Cadillac simply because it specifies it.  I would like to read the data proving synthetic is better for the little engines.

[Forest Road 594]

Landscapers typically run their machines into the ground. They see 1000s of hours on these engine w minimal maintenance.

 

Keep the cooling fins cleaned and change the oil regularly. You shouldn't have any problems. Too cool a motor isn't good either. 

[slammer302 2,156]

I'm planning on pulling the motor and cleaning it. I figured that would be the best time to add a cooler. It seems a lot of engines are coming with them these days even cheap predator motors. Is it just a selling point or a need.

[shallowwatersailor 3,213]

9 hours ago, 6bg6ga said:

I'll disagree. An oil cooler is a good add on piece of equipment. If its good on the big engines it can't hurt the little ones. ANY time you can lower the oil temp its worth the effort to do so.

 

I'll agree with keeping the cooling fins clean so the air cooled engine will enjoy a longer life.  If there is an written proof that synthetic oil increases life I would love to see it.  I use Mobile 1 in the Cadillac simply because it specifies it.  I would like to read the data proving synthetic is better for the little engines.

 

I will agree that an oil cooler is a worthwhile addition. I use to install Rapid Cool coolers on my vehicles that didn't have them in the '70s. Two years ago my trans cooler went on my truck and I installed a PPE trans cooler in its place. It has more than twice the cooling capacity.

 

For a 5xi two choices for a cooler would be a cast pancake cooler by Kohler that is inserted between the block and oil filter. I doubt that it would be very efficient though. Or a remote cooler not just installed on the firewall. One location that may work for a remote cooler on a 5xi is behind the screen on the left side; It would get airflow as the cooling air is drawn through these three screens. Like Brandon mentioned on his new engine, there is a cutout that diverts cooling air for the engine. I would rather cool the entire engine. Remote coolers  need airflow. It could be installed behind the left screen which would then have airflow through the cooler.

 

[slammer302 2,156]

That's were I was thinking of installing one.

[slammer302 2,156]

Pulled the motor today and it was packed full of grass dirt & oil. Think the crank shaft seal is probably leaking making a bad thing worse. 

[bmsgaffer 2,046]

Clean and degrease that thing and you will be singing. Never even have to worry about the hassle of a cooler 

[slammer302 2,156]

Got two cases of degreaser the other day and have engine out.  

[19richie66 17,537]

Does yours have these removable plates on the front cover(red things)?

[JERSEYHAWG / Glenn 4,498]

I have a set of those plates. Still in the bag. I guess, if my XI ever sells, the new owner can install them.

 

Glenn

[19richie66 17,537]

I made these to cover a hole in the housing where an ignition switch used to be. Eventually I will cut out the housing behind them and make them functional.

[slammer302 2,156]

Mine does not have the clean out covers. But it wasn't to bad to remove the engine and I was able to really clean the frame and motor.