The blue smoke comes in puffs and then fades, more so when idling or lower throttle. There's not too much smoke at full throttle. I had a K241 that had bad rings and worn cylinder walls that was smoking a LOT more than this does, and that was a constant smoke.
I took it for a ride around the yard with the air filter off to see if it still smoked, and it did. So either it's more than the breather, or there's oil down in the intake plumbing that it was still pulling in (which is definitely possible). There was a puddle of oil on the metal air filter base. So oil coming up that tube is definitely part of the problem if not all of it. I've never had a Kohler opposed twin before, so I don't know much about their longevity and common issues (yet). I used to have a Briggs opposed twin that I couldn't keep the valve seats in, that was the only problem I ever had with that engine.
I got the 682 with intentions of just dropping my extra Kohler Command 18 into it, I would be pulling it anyway to pull the covers and make sure it's clean, and check the front seal. So I think that's pretty much a done deal then. I was just curious if it is worth it to change my plans, I don't think I will. This Kohler Command came on a free tractor that the PO said had a rod knock, and it turned out his rod knock was just the valve push rod popped out. That was an easy fix and if the KT was going to be something easy like that I would think about it. It seems like most of the tractors I've picked up the PO thought more was wrong with them and gave up on them and let them go cheaply. Those are my kind of deals.
So if anyone wants to take a trip to central PA for this KT17 I'll let it go pretty cheap.
