What should I do with my Miller Bobcat 225?

[AlbertanCatskinner]

Hey all,

I've got a 1996 Miller Bobcat 225 Kohler with 900 hours on it, in really nice shape, the only problem is that it seems to be going through a lot of oil. The weird thing is that it doesn't smoke at all. There is no white smoke and no oil residue on the exhaust pipe at all. When I take the plugs out, they're oily and a little bit fowled up. I'm thinking that it's probably piston rings. I'm not welding every day and I could probably get away with just constantly topping off the oil, but I don't want to kill my engine. What kind of expense/work is involved in changing rings? The guy that I bought it from said that he had already changed the rings, and he gave me a gasket kit. I am wanting to get a bigger machine for air arc, so I might just end up selling it the way that it is. Let me know what you would do.
Thanks!

[Bls repair]

I am guessing there isn't any external leaks .If you are getting another welder I would sell it as is ,even if you have to drop the price a little.You won't recoup the cost of the repair

[AlbertanCatskinner]

There definately aren't any external leaks. This welder is in excellent shape externally.

[H80N]

There definately aren't any external leaks. This welder is in excellent shape externally.

What type of oil are you running..??

I Would change oil (and filter if it has one) "Rotella T" would be my choice for oil.... or Aeroshell

Oil type does make a difference.... here is a thread

http://www.millerwelds.com/resources/communities/mboard/forum/welding-discussions/566782-which-oil-to-use-in-an-air-cooled-engine

[Bls repair]

Changing the rings and knowing how to change the rings is two differnt things .Did he hone the cylinder ,gap the rings ,offset the gaps?

[ryanjones2150]

That thread completely changed how I look at oil and many of my friends have followed suit after you guys opened my eyes to it.

[duaneb55]

Changing the rings and knowing how to change the rings is two differnt things .Did he hone the cylinder ,gap the rings ,offset the gaps?

What Bls said.

[Auto_Tech]

Sounds like a bad "rebuild" ---- plus I'm not a fan of Kohler and have seen a disproportionate number of issues with engine internals. Kubota, on the other hand, is bullet-proof ---- I've personally put extremely high hours on a BX2370 subcompact and ZD25 zero turn mowers --- these Kubota engines simply last a "lifetime" (with proper care).

[snoeproe]

Is the oil level dropping regularly on the dip stick? I find it hard to believe that your piston rings are worn out with only 900 hrs on the motor. A gas motor should run aprox 5000 hours between over hauls if maintained properly.
As stated, I'd start with a fresh oil and filter change.