CV730 Head gasket

PTmowerMech

Lawn Addict
Joined
Apr 16, 2018
Threads
387
Messages
2,956
I got a V twin that's smoking out the oil fill tube. The only way I know which side it might be leaking on is the spark plug. The #1 cylinder (drivers side) is coated real bad. Is there another way of knowing which side would be leaking?

Couple of things. I'm guessing these heads have hydraulic lifters. I seen no way to adjust them. So when I put everything back in, is there something specific and/or important to remember about putting it back together.

And just by chance, could this be the reason why the it only runs good at 1/2 to 3/4 choke? Inside of the carb didn't look bad. It had a dark tint to it. The holes I could get to, weren't clogged, the mixture holes (3 tiny ones at the top of the carb, just before the intake) were all clear. As well as the other.
Funny thing about this solenoid, it had a jet at the bottom of it. Reminded me of the bowl nuts that have the hole on both sides that meet in the middle. It was a little clogged. But clean now. After checking all the holes I could get to, poking them, spraying carb cleaner through them and blowing the out, seems the engine didn't need as much choking, as before. Sometimes, i can actually get the choke about 7/8th open. But not for long.
This carb is one with pump on the side of it, as well as the actual plastic fuel pump on the side of the blower housing. I've never dug into one of these. My old boss says to NEVER take the top plate off (triangle shape with the one screw that has a wire grounding to it.)

Any insight on this information will be appreciated. Thanks

P.S. Something I forgot to mention. It was white smoking pretty bad before I cleaned out the carb. Gas makes black smoke, so I'm not sure how they're connected. But after putting the carb back on and firing it up, it smoked for just a few seconds then stopped. I let it run for about 15 minutes, at mid to high idle, and the smoking, except a little on start up, just quit.
 

Hammermechanicman

Lawn Addict
Joined
Jan 10, 2020
Threads
49
Messages
3,485
Sounds like a blown head gasket. There is a process to bleed the lifters in the manual you can download from kohler. If you don't mix them up you can put them back with out bleeding. Just handcrank the engine around a few revs before starting.
 

ILENGINE

Lawn Pro
Joined
May 6, 2010
Threads
39
Messages
9,865
The idle circuit for the carb is under that triangle shaped piece that your boss said not to remove. It should be removed to clean the idle passages.. That pump on the side is the accelerator pump like the old auto carbs from years ago. The white smoke is most likely oil. No unusual for the Command to smoke slightly on start up due to oil seeping past the rings.
 

StarTech

Lawn Royalty
Top Poster Of Month
Joined
Feb 19, 2020
Threads
75
Messages
10,111
Bt now you should we need the equipment numbers.

To non invasive test an engine you use a leak down tester. Most use 100 psi to test things but the one from HFT that I got uses only 12 psi. With OHV engine if you disable the valve train you can test the entire cylinder stroke. This is useful finding ovaled and taper cylinders. Leak down tests cylinder, head gasket, and valve problems.

Harbor freight offers two different version. It is the cheaper one that I use.

https://www.harborfreight.com/search?q=cylinder leak down tester
 

PTmowerMech

Lawn Addict
Joined
Apr 16, 2018
Threads
387
Messages
2,956
Sounds like a blown head gasket. There is a process to bleed the lifters in the manual you can download from kohler. If you don't mix them up you can put them back with out bleeding. Just handcrank the engine around a few revs before starting.

The last guy I worked for, showed me a stuck valve. He didn't explain much about it. Something about not being able to squeeze it.

He didn't explain much. Said if he showed me too much, I'd put in against him. LMAO.. The guy was almost everyone's go to. In fact, and he was really good at small engine repair, but most of the other shops only got what he couldn't get to. During mid summer, he was 2 to 3 months out on getting stuff fixed. But that's neither here nor there.
Bottom line, I'm a little scared of this. But hoping it'll be like most things I've come across since I started working on small engine. Scared to get into it. But once I do, I find that it's nothing to be scared about.
 

StarTech

Lawn Royalty
Top Poster Of Month
Joined
Feb 19, 2020
Threads
75
Messages
10,111
I kinda that way about my shop made tools. I simple don't loan them nor do let anyone have a good look either or I would need to get the CIA involved. :p
 

PTmowerMech

Lawn Addict
Joined
Apr 16, 2018
Threads
387
Messages
2,956
Bt now you should we need the equipment numbers.

To non invasive test an engine you use a leak down tester. Most use 100 psi to test things but the one from HFT that I got uses only 12 psi. With OHV engine if you disable the valve train you can test the entire cylinder stroke. This is useful finding ovaled and taper cylinders. Leak down tests cylinder, head gasket, and valve problems.

Harbor freight offers two different version. It is the cheaper one that I use.

https://www.harborfreight.com/search?q=cylinder leak down tester

I was just checking these. Seems the one you're talking about is "in store pick up" only. And the reviews aren't very good. The more expensive one, is about $45 to $50 more. But can be shipped. I'm about an hour away from a Harbor Freight. Which isn't no big deal, really. But if I go into a Harbor Freight, with money in hand. I come out with no money in hand. LOL

Do you have any trouble with the less expensive one?
 

StarTech

Lawn Royalty
Top Poster Of Month
Joined
Feb 19, 2020
Threads
75
Messages
10,111
The only problem I had which was my fault is you can not leave it set. You deregulate or zero out the input side before storage and reset everytime you go to use it as initial air shock from the compressor can damage the percentage gauge. I know I destroyed my first one. Not a problem if you are not too lazy.

I don't have going in with money in hand as I don't have any normally with me just the near max credit card. Keeps me from buying other things while I there.

BTW the the closes HFT is 45 min one way for me too even I go to the store that is a little farther as the traffic is a lot lighter; hence, safer to travel. I got a bad habit of plowing into idiots; you know those last second pull outs.
 
Last edited:

Hammermechanicman

Lawn Addict
Joined
Jan 10, 2020
Threads
49
Messages
3,485
My wife used to hate harbor freight till i told her it was all deductible as a business expense. They have way too much of my money. Toolaholic ya' know
 

PTmowerMech

Lawn Addict
Joined
Apr 16, 2018
Threads
387
Messages
2,956
My wife used to hate harbor freight till i told her it was all deductible as a business expense. They have way too much of my money. Toolaholic ya' know

THE first time I walked into a HF store, the first thing I grabbed was my wallet. Sort of like the first time I went to a titty-bar. Luckily my Mrs. Penny-Pincher was there to calm me down.
The 2nd time I went, she wasn't with me. And I over did it a bit. Well, a lot, actually.
But, to their credit, I still have most of what I bought. Some of their stuff is actual junk. But knowing that, keeps me from abusing it. Like the drill press I bought. (and the little 110 welder (on my 2nd trip)), both are still working pretty good. Except for the chuck on the drill press. It likes to pop out sometimes.
 
Top