Kohler Small Engines

[JTK]

Originally Posted By: 01rangerxl
The carburetors are a problem. I keep 10+ on hand, and even then I'm reordering almost once a week.

But, aside from the troublesome carbs, they seem to be decent engines. It seems like they are less prone to bent cranks compared to Hondas.



Good to know.

So the 10+ carbs is specifically in regards to these small Kohler OHV push-mower engines?

I'm quite familiar with the characteristics of the Chinese import stuff. I own some of it myself, but like the OP, would like to know specific concerns with these Kohler branded engines.

Yeah I know Kohler isn't necessarily what it used to be, but if they're going to assume the risk of putting their name on a Chinese import engine, I gotta think parts and service would be readily available for them, as opposed to the 'no-name' Chonda stuff.

Joel

 

[660mag]

Kohler does support them.

 

[dwendt44]

IF Honda has product(s) made in China, it's a safe bet that those items are made to Honda standards.

They have a reputation to protect.

The bad quality we see all around is because those companies are ONLY concerned with price and profit, not quality.

 

[01rangerxl]

Originally Posted By: JTK
Originally Posted By: 01rangerxl
The carburetors are a problem. I keep 10+ on hand, and even then I'm reordering almost once a week.

But, aside from the troublesome carbs, they seem to be decent engines. It seems like they are less prone to bent cranks compared to Hondas.



Good to know.

So the 10+ carbs is specifically in regards to these small Kohler OHV push-mower engines?

I'm quite familiar with the characteristics of the Chinese import stuff. I own some of it myself, but like the OP, would like to know specific concerns with these Kohler branded engines.

Yeah I know Kohler isn't necessarily what it used to be, but if they're going to assume the risk of putting their name on a Chinese import engine, I gotta think parts and service would be readily available for them, as opposed to the 'no-name' Chonda stuff.

Joel


Yep...we use a lot of part numbers 1485327S and 1485321S.

Parts are definitely readily available for these engines and Kohler is very good about replacing carbs under warranty. Support is far better for these engines than the generic Chondas. You do get something for buying the Kohler name...this engine is repairable.

 

[whitearrow]

give me japanese engineering any day. i love the good ol usa but until recently we just couldn't keep up in reliability dept. even japanese engineering isn't near as good as it was in the 60's-70's. those toyota trucks of that era were indestructable. just look on the news in podunk countries what truck they are riding around in 9 times outta 10 it will say TOYOTA on the tailgate. never have seen a chevy,ford,dodge. this is jmho so please don't flame me.

 

[01rangerxl]

The last time I saw Toyota OPE was never...aside from a fork lift if you want to call that OPE.

 

[Spazdog]

Originally Posted By: 01rangerxl
The last time I saw Toyota OPE was never...aside from a fork lift if you want to call that OPE.


Let's see.... Toyota and Subaru have a couple of joint ventures. Subaru's parent company also owns Robin. So....Toyota = Robin....Right?

 

[artificialist]

Don't start thinking Japanese manufacturers are error-proof. Nissan made many mistakes in the 1980s and 1990s that nearly led to their end, and had to be bought by Renault.

 

[Hootbro]

Originally Posted By: artificialist
Don't start thinking Japanese manufacturers are error-proof. Nissan made many mistakes in the 1980s and 1990s that nearly led to their end, and had to be bought by Renault.


Some can argue that Renault's buying of NISSAN brought the brand down even further in terms of quality and cost cutting until a couple of years ago.

 

[chevman4life]

The Powermore engines by MTD which are made in China really do resemble the Kohler. Just makes me wonder if thats who they got to produce them. I've also heard that a lot of the B&S motors are being produced in China. Sad day.

 

[lexus114]

Originally Posted By: chevman4life
The Powermore engines by MTD which are made in China really do resemble the Kohler. Just makes me wonder if thats who they got to produce them. I've also heard that a lot of the B&S motors are being produced in China. Sad day.




Sad day indeed.

 

[01rangerxl]

Originally Posted By: chevman4life
The Powermore engines by MTD which are made in China really do resemble the Kohler. Just makes me wonder if thats who they got to produce them. I've also heard that a lot of the B&S motors are being produced in China. Sad day.


They don't just resemble the Kohler, most if not all of the parts are interchangeable.

 

[chevman4life]

Yeah your right. So I'm assuming MTD and Kohler have partnered with the same company, which is YinXiang Ltd. the Partnership is known as Kohler-YinXiang Ltd. I like the engine on my mower but wish it wasn't Chinese.