Snapper Z Rider burning oil

[CORA Zuki]

I recently was given a 42 inch deck Snapper Z Rider hzs15422kve with the 15hp Kohler engine.
The guy who had it said that he had to add oil after every hour of mowing. I got it up and running and it smokes a little on start up but after that it does not smoke. The engine starts and sounds good so I am not sure if I should put new rings on it.

I am fixing it up to sell it, so is it worth putting new rings it that Kohler?
How hard is it to put rings in a OHV Kohler?
Everything works on it and I was wonder about what it is worth. It will have a new battery, new blades, and new but not factory seat.

This is the one with the single joystick for the drive control. It is fun to drive. :smile:

 

[Lawnboy18]

I recently was given a 42 inch deck Snapper Z Rider hzs15422kve with the 15hp Kohler engine.
The guy who had it said that he had to add oil after every hour of mowing. I got it up and running and it smokes a little on start up but after that it does not smoke. The engine starts and sounds good so I am not sure if I should put new rings on it.

I am fixing it up to sell it, so is it worth putting new rings it that Kohler?
How hard is it to put rings in a OHV Kohler?
Everything works on it and I was wonder about what it is worth. It will have a new battery, new blades, and new but not factory seat.

This is the one with the single joystick for the drive control. It is fun to drive. :smile:

Do a compression test to start off!

 

[Fish]

Probably just a head gasket, breather, maybe valve seal problem, post some engine spec/model numbers.....

 

[reynoldston]

Not a bad job at all. Take the engine out of the mower and set it on a bench and just go to it. Kohler is very good about putting service manuals on line which will give you all the specs. Just make sure you lay your parts as you go so things go back together better. good luck I didn't know they installed valve seals in that engine Fish??

 

[Fish]

I didn't know they installed valve seals in that engine Fish??

I don't either, what engine does he have? I have worked on a lot of variations of those engines, some have adjustable valves, some have SmartSpark, but I am always reluctant to recommend new rings on any engine, with little info to go on.

So you are sure that it needs new rings????

 

[Fish]

I ran the engine through the Snapper number, and am assuming he has the Kohler and not the Briggs engine. Looking at the blowup, that engine doesn't show and valve seals.....

So you are recommending him to put in new rings????? You are sure that the $45 rings will fix his problem? Not a $7 head gasket? Maybe some crap in the breather???

Do you have a web link to your crystal ball?

So he just slaps these new rings in and all is good?

 

[reynoldston]

I don't either, what engine does he have? I have worked on a lot of variations of those engines, some have adjustable valves, some have SmartSpark, but I am always reluctant to recommend new rings on any engine, with little info to go on.

So you are sure that it needs new rings????

You have a very good question here. Seeing Kansas is a long ways from NY I sure don't know this. Also I don't know the OP skills. One of his questions was how hard is it to install rings in this Kohler. I am saying its not a bad job. He can go on line and Kohler has some very good service manuals. They will give him some very good ideas to check for this. Yes one of the things would to be check the valve guides, never came across valve seals in these engines but I am not saying they don't have them just I never came across them.

 

[Fish]

You have a very good question here. Seeing Kansas is a long ways from NY I sure don't know this. Also I don't know the OP skills. One of his questions was how hard is it to install rings in this Kohler. I am saying its not a bad job. He can go on line and Kohler has some very good service manuals. They will give him some very good ideas to check for this. Yes one of the things would to be check the valve guides, never came across valve seals in these engines but I am not saying they don't have them just I never came across them.

Well, good that you called me on that..... I usually discourage telling folks to buy parts/do procedures that likely won't fix their problem. I m glad that there are many
members here that are trying to prove themselves, but helping posters blow money needlessly without knowing if that will fix their problem makes me nervous.

I post on these forums to help folks, not sell parts needlessly. But you seem to relish trying to discredit me, which is cool...... You did....

I am ashamed..............

No valve seals on this engine....... I am contrite......

But new rings???? Really?????

 

[reynoldston]

Well, good that you called me on that..... I usually discourage telling folks to buy parts/do procedures that likely won't fix their problem. I m glad that there are many
members here that are trying to prove themselves, but helping posters blow money needlessly without knowing if that will fix their problem makes me nervous.

I post on these forums to help folks, not sell parts needlessly. But you seem to relish trying to discredit me, which is cool...... You did....

I am ashamed..............

No valve seals on this engine....... I am contrite......

But new rings???? Really?????

Two things I didn't say here install rings, I said it was a easy job to do. I don't know if it need rings??? There are test to check this. You also you don't know this unless you are doing the work on this engine??? I also never said the engine didn't have valve seals. I said I never came across one that did. It may well have them. Come on peace here.