Why Did This Engine Fail?

I stopped loaning out stuff a couple years ago after a neighbor borrowed my mower and destroyed the blade by hitting every rock and stump they could find. I've had several people ask since then and I will mow it for them but I have to say no to the loan. Nobody cares about my equipment like I do.

Sometimes Mustie we just don't know jack. I was thinking run away governor or the person running the machine wanted the day off. Thanks for bringing us along for the ride. With regards to loaning out equipment, I had a neighbor borrow a piece of equipment and had not returned it when he came asking to use my lawn mower. I have no problem telling it like it is. I said as soon as you return the equipment you borrowed 3 months ago I would consider loaning you another. He brought back what he had borrowed and I wheeled out a relic of a push mower. I told him that this is my cherished personal mower and that I expected him to return it in the same condition he received it. He pushed the mower across the street where his grass was almost to the point of needing to be weed wacked first. 5 minutes later I look out to find the mower sitting next to my gate. I looked over at his lawn and noticed a very small section cleared and realized he gave up. I try not to let the actions of one spill over to the other neighbors.

I love hearing you explain how all the parts work together. It makes sense when you explain and show how things operate together in the engine. Thanks!

WHAT CAUSES THESE ENGINES TO FAIL: These Kohler Command v-twins fail because of a poorly designed oil pump. At 41:38, at the end of that tube where the plunger goes, there is a little metal cap that gets punched into place which falls out, and I'll bet you will find a little round metal cap somewhere in the carnage. With that cap no longer in place, the oil pump is unable to maintain pressure in the pump and there is no more oil pressure after that. I bought 2 Craftsman GTs from different people at different times, both had Commands with thrown rods, and both of them had that little cap fall out of the pump causing them to self destruct.

When "friends" ask to borrow from my large tool collection, I always tell them "You can borrow my skill saw but I don't have any usable blades - go to HD and get a new blade". Or sanding belts or router bits or whatever. Their response is ok, I will - and then I never hear about it again.

Just opened my browser to find this vid only 6mins old! I can almost smell warm oil and mouse.. Happy Sunday Mustie and fans.

My father always said never loan out anything you can’t afford to loose.

That was very helpful in understanding the chain of events that cause engine failure as well as the importance of oil pressure and cooling in the process.

My bet, is the motor was on it's way out, and someone gave it the full throttle send to small engine heaven.

“Inner sanctum of doom”. That would be a good title for a new series. Thanks for the inspiration to fix things and not just kick it to the curb.

If I lend something to someone, it's already written off. Borrowers aren't using the same equations that owner-operators use. Generally, I'm standing there withholding with effort my judgement that I am being asked if I mind being used. I had a Kohler powered leaf collector and that engine was not only bulletproof but started on the first pull after sitting a season. Got a small yard, gave it to someone who broke it in two months! I felt I had let the machine down.

You are a learning channel even when it's junk Parts are worth more than most would think

Mustie wears a bright yellow shirt, tears down nasty dirty oily engine. Washes hands still has a bright yellow shirt. Me walks by dirty engine has dirty pants, shirt, shoes, probably socks...... Good times

Finally! I can teach Mustie something (some people can go a life time and never have that happen). On airplane oil filters, we cut the oil filter element at the edges using a case knife. Allows you to remove the entire element to inspect it.

I have a 40 year old Kohler generator set. Gave me many hours of power failure coverage, but in 2018 is finally died of old age. It has an oil pressure gauge, low oil pressure cutoff and high cylinder head temperature cutoff.

Discolored metal, cooling fins packed with debris, oil and oil filter never changed. Looks to me like it ran too hot for too long. Cooked oil that doesn't lubricate as well combined with the piston rings expanding too much. I think the piston rings temporarily seized, and when the engine cooled down the rings let go again, that's why the pistons came out relatively easy.

When a story starts " I loaned something to someone" it isn't gonna end well. Grrrrrr8 video 👍

I happen to like those V-twin motors. they don't have a particularly long service life. My son rebuilt one for his employer. it was on some kind of zero turn mower. had the block bored. they fitted the 2nd version of pistons as the original were no longer available. it cost !!!!! Those pistons really cost some coin. Then he found that both coil packs were flakey. He never did get the governor to work right. kinda sticky he said. but his employer didn't want him to spend any more time on it so it ran as is. It also loved to shake the carb loose from the intake. As for this engine. to me it screams a lubrication failure. the scoring in the cylinder on one side. the packing up of the throw on the crank. probably enough to cause the rod to let loose at top speed, maybe it was even running at overspeed. Those lifters even on the video you could see were packed in. probably the source of the metal that got into the system which probably aggravated the crank throw bearing surface. Ya, it ran hot. you can see how the oil was well burned . might also indicate poor maintenance schedule. Thats my unprofessional opinion. Ya I know, opinions are like belly buttons. everyone has one. I recall seeing those hyd lifters the first time. made me think of Chev V8 ( small and big block ) lifters. never did compare them.

Getting to learn without getting dirty is great . Thanks for all your detailed tips.

Hey Mustie1 😎 thank you for the time you put in your videos I will be looking forward for next video 🤙