This came in on a big Toro zero turn with Kohler power. The machine looked almost identical to an Exmark. Inner air filter element failed and started crumbling. Outer filter element was intact but dirty. Machine was in for a misfire due to a failed coil.
Aftermarket air filter failure
- Thread starter Opelman
- Start date
Somethings you should only use OEM.
1 Question is, how long or how many hours was this air filter on this Mower?
The other question I have is, after each mowing was this Machine Blown Off?
Another question I have since this Engine is in the Rear, what oil and what weight of oil was being used? Was the oil level checked before each use?
I will go on a tangent and say that mowers with rear mounted engines run hotter than mowers with front mounted engines, kind of the reason Kohler teamed up with Amsoil and did a 10W-50
You stated that the Outer part of the Air Filter was dirty, 9 out of 10 times when there is an issue like you have stated it is the operators fault.
Any idea what brand it is?
Without knowing that, it's very difficult to make a judgement.
Some aftermarket filters are better than OEM. If someone is using a no-name brand, well...
Without knowing that, it's very difficult to make a judgement.
Some aftermarket filters are better than OEM. If someone is using a no-name brand, well...
Horizontal crank Kohler. I don't remember the hours. Air filter is a commercial cannister type with 2 seperate elements one inside the other mounted above the engine behind the operators seat. The machine was not abused like some we see. Outer filter was a Napa Gold. At least it hadn't failed and dusted the inner filter. The owner does his own maintenance so we don't have service records on the machine. Quite possibly the inner was not changed for some time, only the outer. It left with 2 new style coils, 2 new air filters and a new o ring on one of the hydraulic line fittings.
Last edited:
How old is this machine? Regardless, if the first several number represent the date on this filter than it appears to be very old from 2009. That could definitely cause breakdown from time. On top of that Mexico has not shown stellar production quality to boot. Interesting nonetheless.
Probably more a function of contamination or being plugged and the engine sucked it in than it being an aftermarket filter. MAYBE if it was a super cheap Chinese knock off.. If it were a filter from a major manufacturer operating the conditions it was designed for, it'll be fine. There are simply too many aftermarket filters of this design (millions) in service doing the job they were intended to make a statement like that.
The filter looked quite clean. I was hoping that someone here could identify the maker from the numbers pictured. It was most likely age that got to it. I'm going to stir the pot more because the Grasshoppers we purchased new at work came with the warning that if aftermarket air filters were used, there would be no warranty on engine issues that could be caused by dirt ingestion. Seems Wix and others filters weren't quite right for the application. I don't remember the factory number anymore but I did find that it was a Fleetguard filter and filter housing. I sourced the filters for much less cost from our Navistar bus dealer.
I'm curious as to if anyone here can figure out a date code for that filter (if it even has one).
The 6 numbers before "Made in Mexico" appear to be the date code. 091709 = September 17, 2009
FWIW I always go to my local Briggs dealer and get my filters. My old Lawn-Boy has a washable filter and I have a few reserves.
No more knock off air filters for me. OEM or brand name are the best. Case in point I maintain 4 JD diesel Gators for my snowmobile club that we use for grooming and trail maintenance, 3 cyl. Yanmar motors in them. I put in new Asian knock off air filters in one, they have inner and outer air filters. On the initial start up that one was blowing black smoke and no power, these engines hardly smoke, proof right off the bat the knock off stuff is junk. Put the old dirty OEM ones back in and zero smoke and back to normal. Not worth saving a few bucks for our not for profit club.
