My John Deere GT225 locked up

[cjet69]

Since I bought this tractor, the lifters would be a little noisy at startup after sitting for a few weeks or months. It would always quiet down when it warmed up. I used it 3 days in a row with no noise and then it sat for a week. When I started it the lifters were clattering some but started to quiet down. Then the clattering got louder. I shut the engine down and in the last revolution I heard a clunk like it hit something. I tried hitting the starter and it wouldn't turn over. I raised the hood and found I could turn the engine backwards almost a full revolution and then it would stop. It's not a real hard stop as I can turn it further with more pressure, but I didn't want to do more damage, so I stopped. The piston and rod are still going up and down. Any Idea's on what I should look for? The engine is a Kohler CV15S.

 

[MNGB]

Maybe a pushrod came off and it jamming? If the piston is moving it can't hardly be a busted rod

 

[KennyP]

Could this be another plastic cam gear?

 

[cjet69]

Maybe a pushrod came off and it jamming? If the piston is moving it can't hardly be a busted rod

I'll pull the rocker cover and take a look.

Could this be another plastic cam gear?

I haven't been inside one of these. Do they have plastic gears?

 

[KennyP]

After further investigation, cam gear is steel. So that leaves it to rod cap.

 

[cjet69]

I looked under the rocker cover and everything seems to be in place. I get the exhaust valve to move, but the lack of engine rotation won't move the intake. I can move the intake by hand, so it's not stuck. Looks like I need to pull the engine and open it up.

 

[dodge trucker]

I occasionally see those series engines on CL fairly reasonable

 

[cjet69]

I occasionally see those series engines on CL fairly reasonable

I have a couple that I can use, if need be. The most likely candidate would be this Craftsman Kohler CV16S that was in a freebie Troy-Bilt rider that I recently acquired

.

 

[cjet69]

Shot a short video showing what's going on. At the end of the video watch for the crankshaft end play, it seems excessive.

 

[Cvans]

Acts like the crankshaft is trying to climb over something.

 

[MNGB]

I,m wondering if one of the cam gears has broken or has a damaged spot

 

[cjet69]

Acts like the crankshaft is trying to climb over something.

I found that odd and it wouldnt do that in the opposite direction.

I,m wondering if one of the cam gears has broken or has a damaged spot

It does seem cam related to me. I am really curious now, so guess I need to take the time to tear it down.

 

[4getgto]

Do those motors have a compression release built into the cam ? They been known to cause problems..

 

[cjet69]

At the end of the video, you can see the crankshaft raises up. I'm thinking that the camshaft stops turning and this causes the crank to try to climb up because of the helical gears. If I turn the engine in the opposite direction the crank doesn't climb. I'm wondering if a lifter is stuck or damaged.

 

[dodge trucker]

Are the timing gears straight cut or helical? If helical that could be the reason for the climb.

 

[KennyP]

Are the timing gears straight cut or helical? If helical that could be the reason for the climb.

Or something is in the bottom pushing up when the crank comes around to that spot! Hearing that 'clunk' leads me to think something has come apart inside!

 

[MFDAC]

I got to agree with Kenny. That clunk sounds like lower end.

DAC

 

[cjet69]

Pulled the engine this afternoon. I need to drain the oil out and then I can turn it over and get it opened up.

 

[cjet69]

Opened up the Kohler and found the problem. Looks like the compression release broke and was hitting the case which sprinkled the pan with some aluminum shavings. I need to do a thorough cleanup and inspection, but it looks like I may be able to just put a new camshaft in it.

 

[cjet69]

Ordered a used cam on Ebay for this engine. Figured I would try to save it. I really need to get some of these projects buttoned up this winter. Its only been down for a little over a year now.