[wingtcoach]

I've got a 318 with the onan engine in it. I've had it about seven years and love it. It's a little ragged, seats tearing up etc but my yard will beat the heck out of a mower. My question is...I've looked at buying a new mower. My 318 is using oil, surging and revving real high when it gets hot. I was advised by one Jd dealer to not repower the mower. I've tried to find someone to overhaul the original onan engine but as of yet no luck. Do you guys have any advice? Thanks

 

[T-Mo]

Moved to proper forum. A 318 is NOT a lawn tractor.

 

[wmgeorge]

Weather or not you rebuild your Onan its up to you. It was a good choice for an engine back in the early 1980's. Lots of folks have repowered with Vanguard or other modern engines with great success, others swear rebuilding the old Onan is the way to go. Do some searching and research.

 

[dr_evil]

ERIC - Your dealer wants you to buy a NEW mower... from HIM. Or at least all the parts to rebuild the one you have.

My buddy dropped a new Briggs & Stratton in his old 317 3-4 yrs ago... he told me the other day he's going to re-power one of his other 317's later this summer also. The new B&S engine uses much less gas than the Onan or Kohler engines used years ago.

 

[wmgeorge]

Aren't the new Vanguards Made in Japan?

 

[wingtcoach]

My apologies for incorrect forum. It's either repower this one or buy the husky with the fabricated deck for around 2800 bucks. Is really like to have someone go through mine and check everything, replace belts , hoses etc but don't know if it's crazy to do that when you can buy a new one for possibly the same price

 

[hankvc]

Eric, what is this "either/or" with repower or a Husqvarna lawn tractor. Let me assure you that nothing from Husqvarna can hold a candle to a 318, even on a pure graded turfgrass lawn. (I have one for sale locally).

A 318, cleaned up, with a good-running Onan engine is a very nice machine. If you're able to R&R the engine, you should be able to find someone to go through it if you can't do that yourself. And Deere sells a seat pad kit for these tractors.

Hank

 

[wingtcoach]

Changing the belt and blades is about all I have efforted on the 318. I've just got to find someone who is willing to tackle this project and not kill me monetarily. I appreciate y'all's help.

 

[wingtcoach]

Ok another question or two. I just got done mowing. Added a little oil to her and noticed it immediately started coming out the opposite side (right as your sitting on it) down by the front axel. Any ideas what this could be? Understand I'm just a dumb football coach who isn't mechanically inclined and don't know where to even start. She still revs very high especially in thick grass. Don't know if something has come loose from mowing. My yard is an absolute bear with bumps, holes, hills, etc. thank you guys for all your help. If it's salvageable I'm going to stick with the deere and the onan. Going to see a guy monday about repairing or rebuilding. One good thing is it always cranks on the first try no problems.

 

[wmgeorge]

On the fill tube where you check the oil and add oil there is a O ring seal at the bottom. Sometimes the clamp that holds the tube in place comes loose and the tube lets the oil come out. But that would be on the left side, but the oil could be running across the frame.

 

[craft57]

On the right side (sitting on the GT) is where the Oil Drain valve Is located … have a look if its tight ….. GK

 

[ben12]

Eric; check your oil filter housing bolts and the gasket under the housing; they are known to leak there Ben

 

[inspired_metal]

Eric, We would all hate to see a 318 end up in the scrap pile at the dealer. Any new machine, comparable to the 318 would be in the 7-10,000.00 dollar range. If you put 2-3,000.00 into the 318 you'll have way more mower than any Husqvarna out there and it should hold up to rough use. Your machine is 20-30 years old. I doubt there are many Husq's out there that age.

Go thru the member list and see if anyone lives near you that would help guide you.

First, take off the side panels and wash it down or spray it off. you may be able to se the leak. If not, add some oil to see where it is leaking. Take a picture if you can't figure it out and let us know what you see.


Good Luck.

Dom

 

[Hammerdown-7]

Hello Eric
I would Not consider a re-power in your Tractor the Onen engines were very durable and very dependable. Finding someone to re-build that Onan can be a real challenge these days as most guy's that work on small Gas engines are not familiar with these Older Onan's. That said there is a guy in Minerva, Ohio that remanufacturer's the Onan engines. His business name is Kustom Small Gas engines / Clark Racing. The owner's name is Carey Clark and he is very familiar with the Onan engines. I had one built a couple of year's ago and it set me back $1475.00 but it is a brand New remanufactured engine there is nothing on the building of it that he does not do. For me to repower my 1983 John Deere 318 it would have cost me around $1500.00 and in doing so it would have been an engine now made in China all small Gas engine part's are now made in China and then shipped here for assembly so I felt as though I would be farther ahead staying with what worked well in my Tractor and have no Regrets of having an Onan P-218 built for my machine.

Another option for you would be to contact forum Onan Expert Boomer. he has ton's of used Onan Parts and may very well have a Low hour Onan engine that would bolt up in your tractor. His prices are very fair and his part's are always better than what he describes them to be when they show up. His real name is Robert Kummer I have dealt with him many times and always' have been pleased with what I have gotten from him.He is straight up and very honest to deal with, Here is his contact information it is better to call him as he tends to be very busy this time of year and it may take awhile to get an E-mail response from him.Remember the time change difference he lived in Minnesota I hope this helps, Kurt



http://shop.kustomlawnandgarden.com/

http://boomersonanparts.com/

 

[wingtcoach]

Thanks for all the advice guys. Is there a manual available that would help me walk through the general maintenance of the 318? Is there any chance I could have damaged the engine with the oil leak? Here in our small town I'm the head football coach and have run deeres on our football facilities for years. At that time we had a dealer in town. A few years ago john deere for whatever reason took his dealership away. He still works on mowers and is a very good friend but when I went by to talk to him about repowering mine he also said to keep the onan. Funny thing is he didn't offer to rebuild it and he's perfectly capable.

 

[7dad34]

John Deere wants all dealerships to have more than one store. Many dealerships across the land have been forced out of business due to this rule.
If he hasn't offered, why not ask him ? If nothing else, tell him what you're trying to do and he can point you to someone capable of doing what you need done. And my vote is keep the Onan.

 

[wingtcoach]

At one time all he would work on were deeres so I assume with him owning the dealership he was a certified tech but i may be wrong. How hard is it to take off the hood surrounding the engine? I may get in there today and see if I can tear something up

 

[7dad34]

If you're talking about the side tins, 2 bolts on each side, one at the front and one at the rear, both at the top. He might have the manual you need or look at J&D lawn tractor, one of our sponsors. I have bought a few from them
Welcome to WFM by the way.

 

[wingtcoach]

Thanks mike! I just went out and did a quick check before going to church and it appears the oil filter may be a little loose. I could turn it with my bare hand so maybe that's it. By the way, where is the hour meter located. I've yet to find it.

 

[7dad34]

Under the hood on the side tower tins. That is too loose. Maybe the PO didn't put oil on the seal before they put it on. That should explain the leak after you added oil. It never hurts to change the oil and filter anyway so you may as well do that while you have to remove it anyway.
You should get in touch with Kurt Vogler. He lives closer to you than me and he's very knowledgeable about the 318. Maybe he's close enough you guys can work together ?