Quote:
Originally Posted by J-Mech
Overhauling engines isn't for everyone. As a mechanic, or mechanically inclined person it's easy to say that it's "easy". It's not easy. Not to everyone. Reading the service manual doesn't make you a mechanic.
I'm a really smart guy, but I don't know jack about computers. Everyone says, "oh, they're so easy to understand". (I am talking about building one, or figuring out why one isn't working right.) Not to me. All that jargon is Greek to me. Doesn’t mean I'm stupid, it's just not my area of expertise, so I avoid it. I encourage others to know what they are good at and stick with that. If you're not a mechanic, don't try to be one. Put in some extra time at your real job and make some extra money, then pay someone who owns the tools and possess the knowledge to do the hard stuff.
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I am living proof of this advice and really appreciate it being said here! I agree totally...with help from people here I can do some of the jobs on my 129 (and actually enjoy it most of the time) but it takes SOOOOO LONG compared to the time that an experienced mechanic like yourself would be able to do it in.
I also have a K-301 that burns a good deal of oil and so am looking at options. From talking to my brother, who is an excellent mechanic, he pretty much concurs with what you're saying - that attempting an overhaul would probably be a bit of a reach for me to take on. I think you told me the same thing! I think they call it being "brutally honest". Just kidding..lol
Let's look on the "glass is half full" viewpoint with regards to the K301 burning oil.....I figure that after every few mowings I probably have a half-crankcase or so of basically new oil from constantly adding more. The oil on the dipstick hardly ever looks dark since the engine started taking so much oil. (I still change the oil every spring anyway). I'm ok with adding oil, but lately there seem to be issues with loss of power as I reported in one of my threads. So I think the moment of truth is coming...either rebuild or replace.