What can be the solution for an Exmark Kohler engine oil leaking blown head gasket? Well, I would say replacement should be your first move.
If you have an Exmark lawn mower with a Kohler engine, it’s important to be aware of the possibility of oil leaking and a blown head gasket. This problem is relatively common, but fortunately, it’s easy to fix if you catch it early.
In this blog post, we’ll show you how to replace a blown head gasket in an Exmark lawn mower. Before that, let’s discuss the probable reasons for the oil leaking and its diagnosis process. What if it’s not the blown head gasket?
Probable Reasons For Oil Leaking In Kohler Engines On Exmark Mower
The oil leaking in Kohler engines in an Exmark usually arises from the shaft area. You won’t see any oil in the frame area but underneath the engine. So, you can say that the crankshaft seal of your Exmark Kohler Engine is leaking.
Another reason for this oil leakage can be the malfunctioning of the breather gasket. When it occurs, the oil goes out from the path with minimum resistance.
Sometimes, the crankcase vacuum of the Exmark engine goes through some catastrophic losses. That can be a reason for oil leaking too. However, the loss of crankcase vacuum causes leakage throughout, not only in the engine.
Whenever the head gasket gets blown, you will have either low compression in the engine, or no compression at all. Besides, you will get to hear that something is leaking from the engine. You can use a compression gauge to check if the air pressure is increasing or not.
How To Diagnose A Blown Head Gasket?
First, let’s confirm if the head gasket is blown or not.
Inspect The Head Gasket
There is a cylinder head on the top of the engine with which the spark plugs protrude. Again, there is also a cylinder block located below. It looks like a straight crack.
You have to place a joint between this cylinder head and the cylinder block. The head gasket is situated in the joint. Its main task is to seal the cylinder head towards the cylinder block. Then you can easily look for metal build-up or discoloration. If you see so, it means the head gasket is leaking on that part.
Check The Width Of The Head And Block
In order to check the width of the cylinder head and cylinder block, you will need to use a fine feeler wire or gauge. Make sure that the gap is not more than 0.001 inches. It should be small and unmeasurable.
Disconnect The Spark Plug
In the next step, crank your Exmark’s Kohler engine. Pull its starter cord three times. Then you can easily disconnect your engine’s spark plug lead.
It may happen that the cylinder head and the cylinder block prevailing some sounds like it is escaping air. If you get such sorts of sound, it means there is leakage occurring in the head gasket.
Connect The Spark Plug Again
Now, start your engine for a further diagnosis. Just connect the spark plug lead again, and look around the joint of the cylinder head. If there is high-pressure steam trying to escape, the head gasket must be leaking for sure.
This Video May Help You Fix/ Identify the Leak in Exmark Kohler Engine
How to Replace A Blown Head Gasket In An Exmark Lawn Mower
When you are certain that the head gasket is blown, there is no other way but to replace the gasket.
We all know how frustrating it is to have our Exmark lawn mower break down on us in the middle of mowing our lawn. One of the most common issues that Exmark owners face is a blown head gasket.
Well, you can fix the problems with a click. Just glance at the options we have provided for you.
The first option is the expensive way. You can take your Exmark lawn mower to a repair shop and have them replace the blown head gasket for you. This will undoubtedly cost you quite a bit of money, but it is the quickest and most hassle-free option.
The second option is the easy way. You can replace the blown head gasket yourself with just a few tools and some elbow grease. This option will save you a lot of money, but it will take time and effort.
If you do experience oil leaking and a blown head gasket, the best thing to do is contact a qualified repair technician immediately. However, there can be other issues as the Exmark commercial problems seem to be pretty common in all the series.
However, if you’re feeling handy and want to try to fix the problem yourself, here’s what you need to do.
Step 1: Remove the oil fill cap and dipstick. Then remove the oil drain plug and allow the oil to drain into a catch pan.
Step 2: Next, remove the spark plug wire and unscrew the spark plug with a spark plug wrench.
Step 3: Using a socket wrench, remove the bolts holding the cylinder head. Then carefully remove the cylinder head. If you find it tricky, take help of the exact manual from the Kohler site.
Step 4: Inspect the cylinder head for cracks or damage. If it looks damaged, it will need to be replaced. Otherwise, clean the cylinder head with a soft brush and soapy water.
Step 5: Examine the old head gasket. If it’s damaged, you’ll need to purchase a new one. Exmark head gaskets are available at most lawn mower repair shops.
Step 6: To install the new head gasket, first, apply a thin layer of sealant to both sides of the gasket. Then place the gasket on the cylinder head and install the bolts. Hand-tighten the bolts, then use a socket wrench to tighten them further.
Step 7: Reinstall the cylinder head and spark plug, then replace the oil drain plug and fill the engine with fresh oil.
Step 8: Finally, start the engine and check for leaks. If there are no leaks, you’ve successfully replaced the blown head gasket in your Exmark lawn mower.
This Kohler Engine Replacement Video Can Be Helpful!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can a blown head gasket cause oil leak?
There can be only one reason for a blown gasket to cause an oil leak. That is the failure of the head gasket, located between the oil passage and the engine’s exterior. However, this head gasket failure can either cause a coolant or an oil leak.
How do I know if my lawnmower has a blown head gasket?
The main reason for a lawnmower to have a blown head gasket is low pressure. Sometimes the mower does not start or drops out, that time, we notice a certain oil leak. This is enough to tell us that we have a bad gasket.
How do I know if my Headgasket is leaking oil?
In order to find out if there is any oil leak in the head gasket or not, simply check the oil filler cap. If you see any substance, like brownish-yellow, the gasket is having an oil leak. This substance will have the thickness of milk.
Will head gasket sealer Stop oil leak?
If you are looking for a permanent solution to stop oil leaks in a head gasket, a head gasket sealer would be the best. It is only applicable for the minor leakages, not the major leakages. If the leakage is major, you may have to replace the entire gasket itself.
Let’s Wrap Up Now!
It’s quite clear to us now that the Exmark Kohler engine oil leaking blown head gasket is really a bothersome thing. You should frequently check if the compression in your engine is proper or not. Again, the crankshaft is also responsible for the Exmark Kohler engine oil leak.
Well, replacing a blown head gasket in an Exmark lawn mower is not difficult, but it does require some time and effort. If you are not comfortable performing this repair yourself, we recommend taking your Exmark to a repair shop.
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Enamored with the world of golf Jack pursued a degree in Golf Course Management at THE Ohio State University. This career path allowed him to work on some of the highest profile golf courses in the country! Due to the pandemic, Jack began Inside The Yard as a side hustle that quickly became his main hustle. Since starting the company, Jack has relocated to a homestead in Central Arkansas where he and his wife raise cattle and two little girls.
