why does my exhaust glow red ? on my 2185

[deweyjohn]

my exhaust glows red after 15 min

[johncub7172]

Glad to have you! I'am going to let the experts handel this one.

[eastonct124]

two reasons...first, it's rotted to the point that it's paper thin. So change it.
Second.....mainly if it continues after changing: carb adjustment to lean. Back both screws out 1/2 - 1 turn.

[CMA's129]

I,ve bought two K series that have done this, one was out of time, the other had a severly blown head gasket and a warped head.

[Matt G.]

2185 has a CH18 and I don't believe there are any mixture adjustment screws. You can't mess with the timing either because it's a magneto engine. I'd take the flywheel shroud off and clean the cylinders and fan on the flywheel.

[squatch]

I was going to say cam timing. I went through this with an aftermarket cam in my truck. It the cam is retarded then everything in the combustion chamber is late compared to the piston. The charge is still burning in the manifold as it leaves the combustion chamber. Late ignition timing can do this as well but it's not usually as pronounced as cam timing. On a small engine overly rich mixture can do it as well.

Just reread all the posts. If cam was off a tooth you would see the results and feel the heat in 2 minutes not 15. It's probably running real rich. It might also be a build up of carbon on the head which is keeping the head from carrying the heat away or just dirt like Matt said.

Is a 2185 a later OHV engine? If so check the valve adjustment. Exhaust valves might be too tight and hanging open a little when it warms up. If so you'll burn a valve quick if it's not corrected.

[CMA's129]

Mabey half sheared woodrough key?

[Matt G.]

Unlikely. I've never seen a Kohler shear a flywheel key.

[jesse682]

Its totally normal. I wouldn't worry bout it. Just think the engine is throwing fire out into the muffler what else is it to do when your putting a load on the engine... my old 104, the muffler glows red hot and it had a 6 inch flame out the exhaust when there's a load on the engine... if anything else are the cooling fins on the engine clean is its getting cooled down?

[Matt G.]

Originally Posted by jesse682

Its totally normal...my old 104, the muffler glows red hot and it had a 6 inch flame out the exhaust when there's a load on the engine.

That is NOT totally normal. I've had 40 of these things, NONE of them did this. Your 104 needs to have the timing checked and the carb adjusted. You might have a mouse nest in the flywheel shroud, too...