LT15 Needs New Engine

[firefighter ontheside]

Well, my 15 horse Kohler bit the dust today.  At least I think it did.  Looked at the valves and they look fine.  Turning the saw manually wiht the spark plug out it turns and then catches, turns and then catches.  It still seems to have compression.  I'm not sure if its the rings or what.  I did restart it after it died.  It would run, but sounded like there were rocks in there.

I'm expecting to replace the engine.  Woodmizer has a new engine kit to go from 15 horse to 18 and parts needed to retrofit.  That is $2250.  I'm interested in ordering a new engine locally and mounting it.  I'm waiting to hear back from my local small engine shop to see what they find.  

[SawyerTed]

That's not good news but it does allow the chance to bump the hp a bit.  I'm a believer in going with a replacement engine manufacturer that you can get support, parts and repairs for locally.

FWIW, I tried one of those Chinese engines on a wood splitter once.  It ran and operated well for two years then it went to the recycling bin.  I couldn't get replacement parts.

The aggravation of uninstalling the old, getting a new one and reinstalling the new engine would have been worth the extra cost of going with a brand name. 

[btulloh]

Bummer. Engine failure is not usually something we wish for but it happens. The silver lining in that cloud is the opportunity to get more hp.  And a lighter wallet. 

I hear Santa is a good source for small engines.    Just send him an email and the new engine will be under your tree. (How wide is the flu in your chimney?). ;)

[firefighter ontheside]

I just talked to Santa(she goes by Cindy in this house) and she said thats too bad.  I guess you need to buy a new motor.  At least its tax deductible.  I am looking forward to more HP.  Just hope its not too difficult to mount a new motor.  Seems like the biggest concern is making sure the output shaft lines up with the drive pulley.  The other concern would be the throttle linkage, lining it up so that when I engage the blade it also engages the throttle.

[SawyerTed]

Yep, Santa goes by Emily here.  I don't know what I'd do if she weren't raised on this farm.  She understands equipment repair expenses.  

[Haleiwa]

When my Onan died, I bought the Kohler engine, the mounting adapters, and the new belts from Woodmizer for less than an engine alone was going to cost from the other suppliers that I checked.

[pineywoods]

Don't know about the lt15 but probably easy to do an engine swap. I went from an 18 hp briggs to a 25 hp liquid cooled kawasaki on my lt40, back sawing next day. Most important thing is weight. Too much and have to upgrade the head lift mechanism.

[firefighter ontheside]

Well, I just removed the engine and it was super easy.  4 bolts and 2 wires removed and its off.  Won't hear back about an engine til monday.

[Southside]

What about going to a diesel? 

[doc henderson]

so Bill, are you on the nice list... or the naughty with @Southside ?   :christmas: :snowfight1:

[firefighter ontheside]

What about going to a diesel?

I love me a diesel, but I think it would be too heavy.

[Walnut Beast]

I see they offer a 10hp and 17hp diesel for your mill . 

[Southside]

Doc - if it weren't for guys like me trying so hard to be on the naughty list - you wouldn't look so good.... :D

[firefighter ontheside]

They do offer diesel on new LT15s, but they don't offer them as a refit for my 15 year old mill.

[sawguy21]

Do you put enough hours on the mill to justify the extra cost of a diesel? Then there is added weight. Swapping in another Kohler would be easiest, also have a look at Honda and Briggs Vanguard. Stay away from the cheap off shore clones unless you are willing to sacrifice long service life to save a few bucks.

[mike_belben]

Why didnt you tear the motor down?  Its not like youd have made it any worse.

[Durf700]

are you able to go to the 25 HP Kohler that comes on the LT 35?  the newer LT 15s are 19 hp I think.  I would definitely ask what your options are.  what year is your mill?

[firefighter ontheside]

I did remove the valve cover and see that the valves look fine.  Looking in thru the exhaust port I can't see anything out of order.  Turning the drive pulley over by hand with the spark plug out it turns easily and then theres resistance.  Have to force past the resistance each time I turn it.  I have the engine off and may take to the shop on Tuesday.

My mill is an 04.  The replacement engine that WM offers is an 18 horse Kohler. I'm going to see what the small engine shop can offer me.  I don't think I will seriously consider a diesel.  I'm assuming any engine thats heavier will make it more difficult to raise the saw.  

[Resonator]

15 years is a good run for a small engine, maybe it just wore out. I was told the Kohler G18 and G19 are basically the same engine, and I have had good results with the G19 on my Lt28 for the last 3 years, adequate power for a manual mill. Only thing it did not come with an hour meter, would be good to have to keep track of maintenance.

[firefighter ontheside]

Yeah, that's why I'm a little skeptical about putting any money into repairing it.  I bet my engine shop that I take my other small engines to could fix it, but I'd rather put the money into a new/upgraded engine.  I have been a little confused by the 18 and 19 horse engines.  I was searching around and came across the engines on northern toolhttps://forestryforum.com/board/index.php?action=position"> Note:Please read the Forestry Forum's postion on this company site.  Nowhere in the description does it say how many horses they are.  They have what appear to be 2 identical engines about $250 difference, but can't really tell what the difference is physically.  Woodmizer uses the 19 horse on new mills, but offer the 18 as the upgrade.

[sawguy21]

Horsepower ratings are pretty loose, generally whatever the OEM wamts to see. The 18 and 19 horse engines are basically the same except for decals although one may have improved filtration and low oil shutdown.

[RichTired]

Resonator, I installed an inexpensive (less than $10) hour-meter on my LT15 I got from Amazon.

Link

[richhiway]

Just curious, do you know how many hours is on it? Take the cover off the flywheel it may have something wrong there, it may not be a internal engine part.
I would go with the Wood-Mizer up grade. Should be flawless. I would not expect a lot of difference, small engine horsepower ratings are suspect. 
While you can repair small engines they are not "rebuildable"like the engine in a tractor,etc. Don't spend much repairing it at 15 years old.
Good Luck!

[doc henderson]

if it sounds like gravel, but runs, could it be a connecting rod bearing?  i once thought the from crank bearing went out of my camero.  1974.  a bolt had came out of the and harmonic balancer?  anyway it threw all the belts, and would run, but looked like the fromt of the crank was wallowed out and not turning concentrically.  new rubber and bolts

[firefighter ontheside]

Doc, a guy who works for me here is a car engine guy and he said the same thing.  Might be a crank shaft bearing.  I think I'm gonna ask the place where I would have it repaired if they can diagnose it for no charge as long as I either pay them to repair it or buy new from them.  The motor has always ran great for me.  The only problem I ever have is that the automatic choke doesn't work so I have to reach up inside under the carburetor and move it by hand.  Annoying, but not a big deal.