Old312-8 11 #1 Posted March 12, 2021 Did some maintenance on a tractor I recently picked up. Found a metal piece, rounded at the end, floating in the oil pan. Can anyone that has been in one of the M12 engines tell me what this might be? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 67,627 #2 Posted March 12, 2021 Connecting rod oil dipper? 4 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 48,828 #3 Posted March 12, 2021 Bottom of the connecting rod dipper ... no doubt. Looks like yer in for a new rod... possibly a big end polish/grind. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
littleredrider 409 #4 Posted March 12, 2021 yup, looks like an oil slinger.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 48,828 #5 Posted March 12, 2021 Just to show you yer not alone... peeled out of a 161 ... Don't know if I've done so old 312 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Old312-8 11 #6 Posted March 12, 2021 So what can I do for it? Just ordered a rod end cap with a dipper, how long can I run it before it would seize? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 48,828 #7 Posted March 12, 2021 Not long that's fer sure. When you say you ordered just the end cap? Not possible the end and rod come as a matched set. The crank big end also has to get measured and see if you need to go 10 under. The whole shebang should then be plasti gaged to make sure things are copastetic. 6 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 67,627 #8 Posted March 12, 2021 12 minutes ago, Old312-8 said: So what can I do for it? Just ordered a rod end cap with a dipper, how long can I run it before it would seize? Yeah that can't be replaced as a single piece... Caps and rods are matched. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 55,321 #9 Posted March 12, 2021 11 minutes ago, Old312-8 said: So what can I do for it? Just ordered a rod end cap with a dipper, how long can I run it before it would seize? do not run the engine unless you want to throw a rod! At the very least you will need to remove the head and oil pan then remove the piston and connecting rod. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Old312-8 11 #10 Posted March 12, 2021 Ran it only for 30ish seconds about an hour ago, medium rpm. Had to get it to somewhere to keep it, but I don’t plan on running it, I can run down to my local small engine shop, they can at least source parts, the tractor is supposed to be all OEM parts, so I am going to have a field day trying to find one. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 48,828 #11 Posted March 12, 2021 9 minutes ago, ebinmaine said: Yeah that can't be replaced as a single piece... Caps and rods are matched. Didn't I just say that EB?? ... Other thoughts here are why did the dipper break? Generally speaking beacuse they just don't feel like it . Might be some other underlying issues that need attention. Very little to no stress on the dipper unless other things are amiss. Look for marks on the pan and block wher it may have come in contact with causing it to fail. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 55,321 #12 Posted March 12, 2021 Don't spend money on parts until you have removed the piston and rod and have the crank and cylinder measured to see what you may need. 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 48,828 #13 Posted March 12, 2021 10 minutes ago, Old312-8 said: they can at least source parts, the tractor is supposed to be all OEM parts, so I am going to have a field day trying to find one. Parts are definitely not an issue here guy ... we procure after market stuff that works fine lasts a long time you take care of her. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Old312-8 11 #14 Posted March 12, 2021 I know what did it, it was the fuel diaphram arm. Dropped the pan to find the arm, got the arm and the dipper. I’ll pull the rod and piston tomorrow, I’m doing a carburetor as well. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Achto 27,605 #15 Posted March 12, 2021 (edited) Here is one source for a rebuild kit for your engine. http://www.psep.biz/store/kohler_rebuild_kits.htm Edited March 12, 2021 by Achto 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gregor 4,846 #16 Posted March 12, 2021 My whole dipper was missing when I tore down my K-161. I don't know if it would fit through the oil drain hole or not. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Old312-8 11 #17 Posted March 12, 2021 I dropped the pan to get the arm, and also found the dipper. I ordered the rebuild kit because I just went and got some basic measurements (enough to tell me what rod size) and it should be here in a few days. Jeez this “fixer upper” that I got for $50 really is turning into a money pit all things considered. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
8ntruck 7,016 #18 Posted March 12, 2021 14 minutes ago, Old312-8 said: I dropped the pan to get the arm, and also found the dipper. I ordered the rebuild kit because I just went and got some basic measurements (enough to tell me what rod size) and it should be here in a few days. Jeez this “fixer upper” that I got for $50 really is turning into a money pit all things considered. Yup. But when you get it set right, you will have less in that Wheel Horse than in a new box store machine. You will have a whole lot more tractor than a new box store tractor too. 4 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 48,828 #19 Posted March 12, 2021 You ain't the first one to have bought a 50 dollar tractor only to get it home and find out what's shaken. Sounds like you might have a little small engine moxie tho and we are here to help. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Old312-8 11 #20 Posted March 12, 2021 Got it from a friend. Only 200 hours, oil changes every 25. Never over-revved or anything, just surprising. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 48,828 #21 Posted March 12, 2021 Yes that is bizarre then.... 200 hrs is barely broken in for a M or a K series. Sorry dude but we need some more pics to evaluate the rest of the tractor 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gregor 4,846 #22 Posted March 12, 2021 3 minutes ago, WHX24 said: Yes that is bizarre then.... 200 hrs is barely broken in for a M or a K series. Sorry dude but we need some more pics to evaluate the rest of the tractor And we're nosy. 3 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Old312-8 11 #23 Posted March 12, 2021 I’ll grab some more tomorrow. She needs a clean anyways. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JoeM 7,874 #24 Posted March 12, 2021 7 hours ago, 8ntruck said: really is turning into a money pit $50 The carb and starter on the engine is worth those kind of bucks! Spend a little and save it from the williwaw! 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mickwhitt 4,642 #25 Posted March 12, 2021 Strange to see the dipper snapped off like that. If everything was perfect I would make a repair to the shell bearing, machining a flat so I could securely attach a suitable oil flinger. But thats just me, I love engineering a solution. Perhaps a full tear down and rebuild is the only way to be sure loss of the oil dipper has not had a knock on effect somewhere else. Sounds worth spending the time and money on. Mick 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
