Oil from breather kohler

[M i k e 33]

Just a wild guess: when you see oil coming from the breather plate on k-series, it's time to replace rings at the very least? 😊

[953 nut 55,218]

First take a look at the breather element to be sure it isn't torn or out of position.

[953 nut 55,218]

You may want to do a leak-down test.

 

[pfrederi 17,739]

It isn't a real good thing  but it will run for a long time leakingg a little oil through the breather.  Most all of my older tractors have oil on the front of the block...bu they still get their work done.  You might want to do a leakdown test  also make sure the breather is oriented correctly  top up.

[artfull dodger 394]

Agreed, seen and ran many Kohlers that would have oil running down the block from the breather vent, yet still quite healthy on leak down and compression tests.  One of the GT pulling companies offer a different style breather plate that has a tube you can plumb down below the frame level to keep the engine cleaner.  Seen that on a few restored tractor that still get worked to help keep the block cleaner looking.  I have also seen the breather plumbed into the air filter housing, as is done on all Magnum and newer Kohler engines, then the oil/fumes get burned off.