Kawasaki FR651 valve seals replacement.

[StarTech]

Valve seats are not a service part offered from Kawasaki and are not replaceable. Though, check with StarTech, I’m sure he can make some from an old piece of pipe.

Please don’t bring personal jabs into this thread.

Oh he pissed off because I knew something he didn't but at least I am was willing to share correct info. This is why after this post I will not reply to any thread he post in. It be his and forum lost just like I don't allow PMs and emails after the Administration accused me of dong things that I was not. It cost the forum access to all the service manuals that I have available and any private info I wished to provide. The links to the service manuals had to be sent via PMs as I didn't want every Tom, Dick, and Harry to have access to them.

It is best I just stop helping out here and start my own forum.

 

[txmowman]

My apologies to all that a piece of dirt on my screen made “seals” look like “seats”.
@StarTech, you are full of yourself and very unprofessional. Your last post proved that.

 

[Midnight_Rider]

I have the same 651 kowi on a mid 2010s Toro 50" zt,and mine started huffing smoke at startup around 6-700 hrs,and it shortly got worse until it was taking between a 1/4 up to half a quart to cut an acre of grass... I took rocker covers off and there are no valve seals and no remains of such in the covers,oil,nor bottom end,and I haven't found any replacement kawasaki stem seals or even a blow up that shows them anywhere including the e manual...
I did a leak down test after adjusting the valves to find it was losing cylinder pressure at a steady rate which makes me think that it is the rings as there is zero hiss or compression through any of the valve ports...
Genuine Kowi ring sets are available on fleaBay as well as elsewhere and I'm simply going to go ahead and finish this season with it,and tear it down over winter and do whatever it needs done..
I've spoken to a couple of others with the same engine ,of various different years, who have had the same issue and 1 guy simply found a good used compatible 22-25 hp other brand engine and swapped it in, which makes sense as the new parts costs,plus gaskets,and any machine work would be higher than a decent used engine would cost provided you're mechanically inclined and did the work yourself... If it isn't the rings or cylinder walls then you're looking at new valve guides and their machine shop replacement,(don't have the existing guides knurled, total waste of money long term),or another set of heads...

 

[Mad_mat222]

4PCS Engine Valve Stem Seals For Kawasaki FH FR FS FX FH381V FX921V # 92049-7001 | eBay

Fits models: FH381V, FH430V, FH451V, FH480V, FH500V, FH541V, FH580V, FH601V, FH601D, FH641V, FH680V, FH721V, FH770D, FR651V, FR691V, FS730V, FX651V, FX691V, FX730V, FX921V. For Kawasaki FH, FR, FS, FX Series Engines.

www.ebay.com.au

 

[Mad_mat222]

I purchased these and waiting their arrival. Will let you know how they go.

 

[Mad_mat222]

Genuine Kawasaki 92049-7001 92049-0862 Oil Seal M138389 FH381V FH430V FH480V | eBay

John Deere M138389 13HP 15HP 17HP 23HP. FH381V, FH430V, FH480V, FH500V, FH541V, FH580V, FH601V, FH641V, FH680V, FH721D, FJ180V, FR600V, FR651V, FR691V, FR730V, FS481V, FS541V, FS600V, FS651V, FS691V, FS730V, FX481V, FX541V, FX600V, FX651V, FX691V, FX730V, FX921V, FXT00V.

www.ebay.com.au

Genuine seal part number 920490862 off jacks site.

 

[RevB]

Horizontal V twins smoke a bit on startup...it's just the way they are. I wouldn't do anything unless and until it makes smoke all the time. And it's just a couple of drops getting by the rings while sitting.....nice thin, heated oil. Ever watch a radial engine start up? Same principle.

 

[Mad_mat222]

I’m certainly scaring the mosquitoes away when I kick it in the guts. Takes a few minutes to disappear. It’s only a fairly recent thing that is getting progressively more noticeable. Never smoked new. Obviously just a bit of wear n tear

 

[RevB]

I’m certainly scaring the mosquitoes away when I kick it in the guts. Takes a few minutes to disappear. It’s only a fairly recent thing that is getting progressively more noticeable. Never smoked new. Obviously just a bit of wear n tear

Rings that have seated and were more effective at the beginning of service life. As the engine ages the rings will wear more and allow just that scant bit of oil to seep past when not running. On startup the combustion gasses pressurize the rings from the piston side and press them into the cylinder wall. Any oil past the rings on the combustion side will have the rings scrape excess oil into the cylinder where it is burned until it's gone. Sometimes after a rebuild with fresh unseated rings and honed cylinder walls, if you don't run the engine under enough load (cylinder pressure from combustion) the cylinder will glaze from the oil and rings will not seat until the cylinder is rehoned. PS....my Kawasaki water cooled is doing the same thing....big puff then that's it. No discernable oil use.

 

[gregjo1948]

My engine installled on a Hustler has just over 500hrs on it and is starting to burn oil. It’s a little smokey at start up and I’m guessing the valve seals need replacing. This is my work machine so I don’t want anymore downtime than necessary but my question is: should I do anything else while the heads are off and the seals are replaced? There is nothing wrong with the performance and only asking in case this would be an advantageous time to do a freshen up. And if I can order parts in advance because there are known issues, would also save the downtime.

Welcome the advice.
cheers
mat

My engine installled on a Hustler has just over 500hrs on it and is starting to burn oil. It’s a little smokey at start up and I’m guessing the valve seals need replacing. This is my work machine so I don’t want anymore downtime than necessary but my question is: should I do anything else while the heads are off and the seals are replaced? There is nothing wrong with the performance and only asking in case this would be an advantageous time to do a freshen up. And if I can order parts in advance because there are known issues, would also save the downtime.

Welcome the advice.
cheers
mat

Do you need to pull the heads to install the valve seals? Should be able to remove the valve covers to do it. If it still smokes then I would guess that it may need new piston rings.