jamessparks 55 #1 Posted February 10, 2021 Kohler 181 used it to plow on Sunday with no problem. Today I go out in the shed to start up and motor flywheel makes a squeal noise and barely turns over. I can hold the key and it will barely spin the motor flywheel. Thoughts? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pfrederi 18,206 #2 Posted February 10, 2021 Starter Generator belt slipping?? Tighten it up. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jamessparks 55 #3 Posted February 10, 2021 Starter generator is good and tight. Seems like a motor concern...? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oliver2-44 10,096 #4 Posted February 10, 2021 Pull the spark plug (to eliminate compression) and let us know what it does. It should turn over very easy. Could anything have bumped the motor or belt guard and caused it to be rubbing the flywheel? 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jamessparks 55 #5 Posted February 10, 2021 Took the plug out spins like a champ. Put the plug back in and the flywheel doesn’t even want to turn just squeal. Like it built up with compression Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevasaurus 22,973 #6 Posted February 10, 2021 Valves??? There is a cover on the front of the engine where you can see the valve stems and springs if removed. Pull plug out again and see if the valve stems go up and down. You will have to take off carb to do this...I think. Might be easier then removing the head. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Kennell 39,855 #7 Posted February 10, 2021 Can you turn it over by hand James? If the belt is worn enough that it is bottoming out on the pulley, it could be slipping even when tight. Is this the start-gen you got from me? 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jamessparks 55 #8 Posted February 10, 2021 Yes @Ed Kennell but I believe it’s something with Compression. Got the carb off but trying figure out how to get this plate off to see the valves. 🤔 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pfrederi 18,206 #9 Posted February 10, 2021 You will have to pry it is probably stuck to its gasket. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Kennell 39,855 #10 Posted February 10, 2021 If it is that tight , the gasket will probably need replaced. Make sure you keep all the parts of the breather in order for reassembly. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jamessparks 55 #12 Posted February 10, 2021 Yes both gaskets broke. So I’ll need some help finding them. Haha. Here’s what the valves look like Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pfrederi 18,206 #13 Posted February 10, 2021 Gaskets 230048 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jamessparks 55 #14 Posted February 10, 2021 Thoughts? I was reading and read something about a compression spring? Like I said, it even spins free now with power hooked up. When everything was together it was tight and made a squeal noise and barely would turnover. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Kennell 39,855 #15 Posted February 10, 2021 Are you saying it turns over easy now with the plug in place? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rmaynard 15,819 #16 Posted February 10, 2021 Were you referring to the ACR (automatic compression release)? That image appears to have the exhaust valve open and the intake closed, which should not be building up pressure. Next turn of the flywheel should have the exhaust valve closed and the intake open. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jamessparks 55 #17 Posted February 10, 2021 Yes sitting as is with the valve open if I turn the key to start with no plug in it turns over fine. Put the plug in, it gets all tight again and doesn’t want to spin/turn over without dragging from the main flywheel Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
roadapples 6,983 #18 Posted February 10, 2021 While you're this far, adjust the valves... 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jamessparks 55 #19 Posted February 10, 2021 @Ed Kennell no it still is hard to turn over with the plug in place. With it out, turns and starter spins easy Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jamessparks 55 #20 Posted February 10, 2021 1 hour ago, rmaynard said: Were you referring to the ACR (automatic compression release)? That image appears to have the exhaust valve open and the intake closed, which should not be building up pressure. Next turn of the flywheel should have the exhaust valve closed and the intake open. Correct that all works great Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pfrederi 18,206 #21 Posted February 11, 2021 2 hours ago, roadapples said: While you're this far, adjust the valves... K-181 valves are not adjustable except by replacement or grinding... 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
roadapples 6,983 #22 Posted February 11, 2021 Guess I'll stick to what I know... 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oliver2-44 10,096 #23 Posted February 11, 2021 As Ed K mentioned it would be worth pulling the belt guard and see if the belt is bottomed out in one or both pulleys. Another possibility is if it has ACR (Automatic Compression Release) something could have happened to the mechanism which is on the camshaft. Post the spec number of your engine if you have it, especially the alpha character at the end of it. Some k181's have ACR, some do not. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jamessparks 55 #24 Posted February 11, 2021 (edited) Thank you guys. That’s exactly what it was. Here when I was plowing snow, the top bolt must of came out of my guard which allowed my starter to move forward just enough so it wouldn’t turn the belt. Guess since I have it tore down this far I’ve been wanting to put on a new head gasket, so might as well get all new gaskets and put on. Thank you @Ed Kennell and @oliver2-44 Edited February 11, 2021 by jamessparks 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 63,635 #25 Posted February 11, 2021 Good that you got it fixed! I was leaning towards starter/generator the whole story.... sometimes the simple stuff is the most overlooked! 3 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
