New to me 1811 and newbie questions

gophred · #1 08-21-2014, 08:51 AM

Hey folks
I just picked up an 1811. This is my first cub of this vintage and first twin. For the newbiest question where is the serial number plate on the M18? I degreased it all and can't seem to find it. It still has the black foam all around the bottom of the blower housing and that seems to be the only area it could be hiding.
the cub has 880 hours and came with a 50" deck and so far seems to be pretty solid with the exception of a few minor issues. The front seal is leaking as is the plate where the oil filter lines connect to the block. I think the plate was just loose, but I am going to change the gasket while I am there. The entire engine area and the plate that it sits on were covered in oil/grime. I ran it w/o the PTO off and confirmed the front seal leaked and found the other plate leaking. I had read here that the seal can be removed by threading 2 wood screws into the rubber and wrestling that out? There also seemd to be some debate about just putting a new seal over the old one. the old one is in far enough to put a new one in
The deck is louder than my other 50". The ID tag is gone on that, but it looks to be the same 50C as one of my 129's (but struggles A LOT less than the 12HP does with it!) If the spindles are the same I have some spares so hopefully I can quiet that down.
Thanks and I will get some pics up. it's ugly though, the P.O pulled the side covers and of course lost them along with the deck timing belt cover

jimbob200521 · #2 08-21-2014, 09:21 AM

Congrats on the 1811, you have a great machine there once you get your couple issues worked out

Check this out for changing the PTO seal, the take down sequence might be a bit different, but the seal replacement is the same:

http://www.onlycubcadets.net/forum/s...ad.php?t=33411

As for leaving the old in vs taking it out; take the extra 5 minutes and take the old out. Why would you leave a leaking, bad part in a machine? And the leaking oil line adapter where it mounts to the engine: I hope tightening it up fixes the leak. Every 1811 I've had has leaked somewhere along the oil lines whether at the filter or the adapter (not all that surprising for a 25 year old machine, but frustrating none the less). Edit: That doesn't mean they all do, I hear of few that do in fact. Just my luck has been bad I guess

The serial/spec info for the motor should be where I circled below. Sorry the pic isn't better, it's all I had quick access to on my computer:

Good luck with the machine, I look forward to pics!!

gophred · #3 08-21-2014, 10:28 AM

Thanks Jimbob. very nice pictorial on the job
just called the local CC dealer and they actually have the part so it looks like should be able to do it tonight.
I am finding a lot of different part numbers though. You had 25-032-06-S another post had KH-24-032-01 and partstree had 52-032-10-S (for all the M18's I looked up). I hope they all cross to the same part, we'll see at lunch

jimbob200521 · #4 08-21-2014, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gophred

Thanks Jimbob. very nice pictorial on the job
just called the local CC dealer and they actually have the part so it looks like should be able to do it tonight.
I am finding a lot of different part numbers though. You had 25-032-06-S another post had KH-24-032-01 and partstree had 52-032-10-S (for all the M18's I looked up). I hope they all cross to the same part, we'll see at lunch

Double check your part numbers; the guide I posted was for a Kohler Command, you have an M18. I don't have time right now to check part numbers, but make sure you get the right one. Someone here should be able to chime in with it

bill682 · #5 08-21-2014, 12:13 PM

The pto side crankshaft seal is actually called the rear seal. The Kohler part# for a M18 is X-583-5-S. I personally don't think the Kohler (NOK) seal lasts very long and have switched to a SKF seal part# 13734.

gophred · #6 08-21-2014, 01:42 PM

Thanks Bill
I picked up the front seal (wrong one) at lunch. Have to try again after work

FrankF3 · #7 08-21-2014, 05:02 PM

gophred, the oil line filter adapter plate you mentioned as leaking was also leaking on my father's 1862. When I took the plate off, I found that the gasket had actually been pushed and blown out from between the block and the plate. The old gasket looked like an old style fiber gasket, where the new one I put in seemed to be one of those formed silicone gaskets. I cleaned everything up real good when putting it back together to make sure there was no oil on the block or plate next to the gasket, then torqued it to specs to make sure it was tightened enough to prevent leaking and not too tight to strip the threads in the block.

gophred · #8 08-26-2014, 12:40 PM

Happiness is clean cardboard under your recently purchased 1811 !! As opposed to a 5" oil puddle the first time I ran it after degreasing.
I put in the SKF #13734, had to order it as no NAPA in my area had one. It fit perfect. So far tightening (along with disassembling and cleaning) the oil line plate has stopped that leak. It must have had that gasket replaced because it was the silicone gasket Frank3 mentioned. before I pulled it apart, I got more than a quarter turn on the bolts before they snugged.
Thanks all - I will get pics of this ugly duckling promise.
So far I love it. I paid $400 for it, the guy had pulled the head gasket which was blown, I put in a new gasket, worked on these leaks, tightened the starter hot which was sparking and smoking (which is probably why the PO put a new battery in it - first cub I ever bought with a good battery). Now it seems to run well even with spark plugs that look like something you find sweeping your garage. Going to keep mowing to wring out any issues and probably tear it down for a thorough PM this winter

Texas Blues · #9 08-27-2014, 01:19 PM

Congrats on the 1811! I have one and I love it, it's my favorite to mow with. That is some good info on the oil seals, I need to take care of some leaks myself. TB

bill682 · #10 08-27-2014, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gophred

I put in the SKF #13734, had to order it as no NAPA in my area had one. It fit perfect

Good to hear, I think it's a much better seal and should last the life of the engine. I am lucky to have a major NAPA distributor nearby, if the store doesn't have it and I order before noon they will have it by 5pm same day.