Why

[Nikolas Britton]

Why would engineers put steel parts in a water pump? The dowel pin that held on the impeller rusted through. This caused the engine to overheat, which warp the heads and let coolant leak into the crankcase.

If only the spent the extra penny for a stainless steel or brass pin.

Sorry, just venting... BTW, this was Kawasaki FD501V engine inside a John Deere LX188.

 

[Bob]

How long since the cooling system was flushed and new coolant added?

 

[Roy in UK]

Do you use anti-freeze? Anti-freeze contains rust inhibitors.

 

[IH2444]

I am not so sure I am very impressed with those little Kawasaki engines. I hear quite a few problems out of them.
And why the added cost and breakdowns of watercooled anyway in a lawnmower engine ?

 

[Nikolas Britton]

You it the nail on the head. All this extra complexity just makes things worse... KISS.

I do like the electronic ignition on it though.

 

[Mike M]

I haven't seen that problem ( yet )? But I have had more then enough of those plastic cam gears !!! What were they thinking ???
I'll still take the Kawasaki over any of the BS or Tech. or new Kohlers I haven't had any Hondas to compare to though I hear they are the way to go.

 

[Anonymous-0]

Stainless steel and brass, actually, are not as tough and durable as steel. If you put 1 of the 2 mentioned above in, you actually run the risk of them fatiguing and shearing off.... hence- no coolant flow and end up with the same problem you have and probably sooner.

 

[JT]

If you maintain the cooling system as you should, the metal drive pins will not rust off. You should make sure your antifreeze is good, it has rust inhibitors in it, and if you do not want the extra expense of antifreeze every couple years, get some waterpump lube and antirust additive and put in it.
Jim

 

[IH2444]

Electronic ignition is great on a lawnmower engine till it breaks. Can't just file and adjust the opoints and go again.
Have to buy something expensive.
The old pointless Briggs mag systems seem to be the most reliable out there.

 

[IH2444]

B&S are ok as long as you get the cast iron sleeved ones.

 

[Anonymous-0]

Water cooled = more power, longer life, AND many new EPA requirements; notice how 2 cycles are slowly disappearing?

 

[Nikolas Britton]

Lumpy, I don't think that will be a problem because the impeller and cam gear are made out of plastic... As Mike M said "What were they thinking ???".

 

[Nikolas Britton]

Yes JT, I bought this thing used though, It was the past owners that must of ran straight water in it.

And I don't blame them ether, as you basically have to remove the cooling system anytime you need to work on the engine... see pic.

 

[KYfarm]

Brass, OK not as tough as steel, but gonna have to disagree with you there on stainless steel. I've worked with it in steel fab shop, cutting, grinding, torch work, welding and stainless is just everything mild steel is and way way more