TrailBlazer 301 G

[MadJack]

Andy

I have receintly purchased a Miller Trailblazer 301 G. It's realy a sweet welder with one exception. After running it for around 15 to 20 minutes the lifters start chatering extremly loud. I can let it cool and it's good for another 15 to 20 minutes.
It has a Kohler Command CH20 engine with 5 Hours on it. What would you recomend?
MadJack

[MrFusion]

Hi,
I'm sure you already did this, but I would first check the oil. It's better to be safe than sorry. I would then check to make sure you have the proper viscosity of oil. If the valves are still making excessive noise, I would load it up on your truck and take it to an authorized Kohler dealer for warranty work. Sounds like it may be out of adjustment, or you got a weak oil pump.
Take care,
Fusion

[H80N]

MadJack
did you change the oil and filter after the initial run in???
would change oil and filter after no more than an hour of initial running...and change every 25 hours thereafter.. (my 301G has the Robin with no problems... changed oil/filter after first 20min) but it does sound like you have a problem... by all means get it to a dealer to have it checked out....
hope this helps
Heiti

[MAC702]

If that doesn't work, I gotta real nice one here that's never made any kind of funny noises. A Kohler with 53 hours on it.... But shipping would be a bear....

[MadJack]

I called Kohler today about the engine. After telling him what it was doing he said No Problem. He beleives that the problem is an O Ring in the oil pump. He said that they had a batch of engines that got defective O rings,the O ring is not sealing off right and letting it suck air. After the engine warms up, the air in the oil lets the lifter collaps causing it to chatter. He thought that they had cought all of them, but as luck would have it they missed one and I got it. He said to contact any Kohler repair center and they would take care of it. So I start calling. There is where the problem starts, as soon as I tell them that it is a welder they are booked up for the summer, the mechanic is sick and will be gone for two or three weeks, that I would have to remove the engine from the welder and bring only the enging to them, that they would have to check and see if they could fix it and they would let me know or that they only work on engines that they sold. I have called all the authorized Kohler repair shops that I know of within 50 to 75 miles. I asked Kohler about sending me the parts and I would fix it, they said that it had to be an Authorized repair shop. It seems that no body wants to work on it because it is on a welder.
Sorry about being so long winded.
MadJack

[klsm54]

...Sadly MadJack, this is not all that uncommon of an occurrence. Not just with Kohler, but any engine dealers. It is spotty and varies from one part of the country to another. In my area, we have a terrible problem with Kubota dealers, they want to work on tractors and give us the same song and dance you are getting about working on welders.

If you get in touch with the Miller district manager in your area, he may be able to help. Still, you may have to travel a ways. We have to go over a 100 miles to a decent Kubota dealer, even though there are several within 30 miles.

We have an engine dealer that services Onan, does good work, and never cares if it is on a welder or not. For that reason, I always reccommend Onan. Other stores in our company have great service with Kohler.

Wish I could give you more encouragement, but this is just a sad reality in this day and age in some areas.

[H80N]

MadJack
if your engine has been suffering from low oil pressure with attendant clatter... there is a good chance that some damage has occurred that may shorten it's life.... for self protection you might consider taking an oil sample and sending it out for analysis... if the results come back good then you will at least have some piece of mind.... if not then you will have some ammunition to petition Kohler for a new engine... since they have admitted that it was a manufacturing defect and their fault.... you would think that they would bend over backwards to make it right.
protect your own interests... think this may be cheap insurance... last time I had an oil analysis done it was about $25...
hope this helps
Heiti

[moe1942]

Lifters

MadJack,

With only 5 hours on this unit I would return it to the dealer. Unless I'm mistaken, the entire unit is under Miller warranty. If you remove the engine you may jeopardize your rights under the "Blue Shield."

I'm assuming this is a new unit and not an older unit with a new engine.

After re-reading your post I think you are saying this is an older Trailblazer with a new engine. If so, was it sold by a dealer as a refurbished unit? If so, I again say take it back to the dealer.A refurbished unit should have some sort of warranty. Once you take the engine off yourself you "really" own it.

Heiti has a good point. As a repairer of small engines for many years it is safe to say that without sufficient oil pressure to pressurize the lifters, and suspecting a defective oil pump, it should be torn down and inspected.

Since I am unsure of the whole story here I am only raising a red flag to keep things from getting out of hand money wise...


moe1942

[MAC702]

I can't say anything about Kohler's customer service. But I can speak for Miller's! It is awesome.

This sounds to me like a new unit. Yes, the engine is warranteed separately by Kohler, but it is a MILLER welding machine. Take it back to Miller. If your MILLER dealer needs to remove the engine and have Kohler fix it, that should be his problem. You bought a MILLER, for crying out loud.

If I was that Miller dealer, and you gave me a chance, I'd be bending over backwards out of embarassment for giving you the best welder ever made and getting a lemon engine by the luck of the draw.

My gently-used unit at 53 hours is looking better and better, isn't i?

[imported_Harold]

mac702

Sorry to hear you closed your shop,but best of luck in your new venture. Doing what you really want has rewards all it's own. Again thanks for all your participation here on the board. Oh yes what are you asking for the 301G ?
Harold

[MAC702]

Harold,
I'm asking $3000, to include leads (lots.) And still under factory warranty for another 16 months.

[H80N]

MadJack
any luck yet????...... have they sorted out a dealer that can fix your defective Kohler??? .......Hope so!! .... .... please keep us posted...
Thanks
Heiti