Miller Welders Kohler Engines Terrible Service

[OldmanB]

Anyone on here thinking about buying a welder, some advice, stay away from Miller .An ongoing problem with one of ours has prompted me to write this. It's a Miller Bobcat 250 with only 80 hours on the clock and still under warranty.We're stuck between a rock and a hard place, with a problem that is not being repaired because no one ,even the Miller Rep or the Kohler rep can come up with a fix.. Miller pushes us off to the engine manufacture Kohler, who in turn sends us to the service center, who tells us there isn't a permanent fix for the problem. The band aid solution works sometimes but only if you want to spend time babysitting it, (difficult to do and makes any job a two person job). We bought this new, have always bought American made welders, either Miller or Lincoln but after this will never have another. ......Rant over..........

 

[Rogue1987]

Details as to the problem?

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[OldmanB]

Miller rep says it's the carb is icing up, the Kohler rep, thinks it's a timing issue, blue flame out of the exhaust, red hot exhaust manifold. We tried the Miller tec suggestions gas line antifreeze, changed the gas as he thought it might have water in it, and no change. Local Kohler engine dealer here's suggestion was to start it up run for a few minutes shut it down let the heat from the exhaust manifold warm the intake, works every now and then. One company pushes us from one company to another and from I'm told this is a common problem

 

[purplezr2]

Sounds like a timing or fuel issue, should be easy to fix.

 

[Kenskip1]

It could be something as simple as a gas tank vent.

 

[L.Cheapo]

Miller doesn't make the engine. This is a Kohler issue, sounds like it might be a dealer issue too.

 

[OldmanB]

Sounds like a timing or fuel issue, should be easy to fix.

Ya ,you would think, but neither Miller or Kohler have anyone there that knows how to fix it.

 

[redmondjp]

Can you elaborate on the atmospheric conditions (altitude, temperature, and humidity) under which you are using the unit?

If it is in cold, damp conditions, you may have to do something with the air intake as is done on snowblower engines - basically, an intake air preheater that draws air over hotter parts of the engine. I would check directly with Kohler to see if they offer such a kit for that engine.

Otherwise, you might consider fabricating one. Basically a sheet metal cover over the muffler, through which the air is drawn (you can use a piece of that universal flexible radiator hose available at better auto parts stores). The muffler heats up quickly so if carburetor icing is a problem, this may be a solution. These type of systems usually also have a hot/cold lever so the hot air intake can be bypassed. That takes a bit more fab work.

 

[OldmanB]

Miller doesn't make the engine. This is a Kohler issue, sounds like it might be a dealer issue too.

You are correct, The deal is I bought a Miller welder not a Kohler welder, and expect Miller to be the one to step up if Kohler can't and so far they haven't. The dealer is Praxair, and they don't handle any repairs.

 

[OldmanB]

Can you elaborate on the atmospheric conditions (altitude, temperature, and humidity) under which you are using the unit?

If it is in cold, damp conditions, you may have to do something with the air intake as is done on snowblower engines - basically, an intake air preheater that draws air over hotter parts of the engine. I would check directly with Kohler to see if they offer such a kit for that engine.

Otherwise, you might consider fabricating one. Basically a sheet metal cover over the muffler, through which the air is drawn (you can use a piece of that universal flexible radiator hose available at better auto parts stores). The muffler heats up quickly so if carburetor icing is a problem, this may be a solution. These type of systems usually also have a hot/cold lever so the hot air intake can be bypassed. That takes a bit more fab work.

It started in August, (warm weather ) and doesn't seem to make much difference in outside temp or humidity. I may look into fabing something like the heat stoves on the old Chevy's, as of now any alterations will void the warranty.

 

[tdkkart]

Runs fine for awhile, then starts acting up and getting worse and worse till it dies??

Try running it with the gas cap off and see what it does.

 

[Kenskip1]

I would give the fuel system a complete going over.I mentioned the gas tank vent. Next would be a kinked gas line. Gas filter is next on the list. I would simply replace it. Is the gas tank above the engine or below? This is where I would start. Ken

 

[Bobcat753]

Read through this thread on LawnSite. Similar engine and similar problems.
http://www.lawnsite.com/showthread.php?t=93837