KE4AVB wrote:Considering it is a shaft drive model I would figure at least 4-6 hrs as some much got to be removed and reinstalled just to get the engine out and back in. Depends on how fast you are and if powered tools are used. Any way plan on an all day job.
The service manuals don't even much in the line of removal procedures. I just know it is going to be pain to do. I have seen several of these but never had to pull an engine yet.
actually quite easy to pop engine out on them, though there's a few tricks of the trade - and a crude hack if you so chose... Hood is easy enough - 4 bolts in front bottom for the stand to frame, and obviously, side panels.. if equipped, the PTO clutch (looks complicated but comes off easy, too , once you find the right bolts , plus the one small pin) undo the wiring harness and cables, 4 bolts to remove from engine mounting, and 4 bolts to remove from the shaft drive hub where it attaches to flywheel (and make sure you get it loose off flywheel before removing, it's a PITA to reassemble those roller cushions to the coupler) with a bit of experience, can pop a cubby shaft drive engine in about 10-15 minutes.. Hint: to undo the 4 shaft drive bolts, have to work from underneath and through the debris shield.. OR.. the crude hack - Slice the debris shield (if it hasn't already been - look for zip ties you can clip) to remove - you can punch holes and slip it back together when job is done, and fasten with small zip ties (I think it is actually a MTD factory recommended procedure, now that I think of it - I seem to recall reading a TSB...) and position it so the zip ties are down... (I have a feeling it was a factory recommended thing now.. it would really cut down on billable labor hours they would have to pay on warranty claims...) But as far as the kawi camshaft - only internal job I ever did on a Kawi really has been replacing a sump gasket but their construction seems quite similar to briggs/kohler so I would think , it being a horizontal shaft, maybe a couple hours labor .. but if it is a job never done before, I'd probably say to suggest 4-6 hours as KE4 said - estimate high and bill less, sure beats lowballing and then eating a few hundred in labor..
How poor are they who have not patience. What wound did ever heal, but by degrees? - Iago (Othello Act II, Scene 3)