Kohler or Onan

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Which engine is best Kohler 20 or Onan performer 16?I hear Onan has a problem with valve seats and parts are more expensive than Kohler. Not that Kohler parts are cheap by any means.It looks like all the new gas welders are powered by Kohler. Just trying to figure out if the Kohler last longer or Onan priced themselves out of the welder engine market.All the new welders engines are fully enclosed. Was this to make them quiet or keep the engine out of the weather? Looks like the engine heat will kill the welder generator and engine sooner. Just a thought.
Reply:Danny-BDoes your 'hypothetical inquiry' have a specific weld application?Opus
Reply:Originally Posted by OPUS FERRODanny-BDoes your 'hypothetical inquiry' have a specific weld application?Opus
Reply:I think Onan is out of production in small engines.  I had one in a Wheel Horse garden tractor for several years. I had no issues with it, very smoothSent from my iPad using TapatalkSteveLincoln IdealArc 250Lincoln SA200 1966 RedfaceSteveMiller Dialarc 250 (1990)Miller Maxstar 140 STR (2003)Lincoln SA200 Redface Pipeliner (1966)Lincoln MP210 (2015)Victor and MECO torches
Reply:Some of those Kohlers had issues with rocker arms, pushrods & valves. There was a kit put out to replace them.
Reply:Originally Posted by OPUS FERRODanny-BDoes your 'hypothetical inquiry' have a specific weld application?Opus
Reply:With the Onan your going to have a hard time finding parts as they don't make them anymore
Reply:I'd be tempted to buy a 2nd hand one with a poor engine and put a Honda on it.250 amp Miller DialArc AC/DC StickF-225 amp Forney AC Stick230 amp Sears AC StickLincoln 180C MIGVictor Medalist 350 O/ACut 50 PlasmaLes
Reply:Just wanted thoughts from welders that had put many hours on both engines.
Reply:Still a lot of used Onans for sale. Including some not running with valve seats falling out. I looked at one Hobart with Onan performer 16 with less than 600 hours. Engine smoking scared me away. Don't mind rebuilding an engine but less than 600 hours made me wonder what had happened to need rings at that low of hours. Also Onan parts are high and a bit scarce.
Reply:Yes I am shopping engine drive welders. Old vs New. Red vs Blue. Onan vs Kohler.  New Red and Blue all seem to have gone Kohler in gas. Old Kohler and Onan Red Or Blue.All new claim lighter and quieter. I'm thinking lighter what did they cut corners on. Quieter completely enclosed so more heat to burn everything up quicker and harder to access to make repairs
Reply:Be nice to find a quieter gas engine drive welder (modern one).  I can't stand listening to that two banger when it's running at high speed for hours.  You get a little break when you're not actually welding, but then you are generally using the grinder, and it's off to the races again  I generally use ear plugs.........for the engine noise, and grinder noise, and for the zen like quiet while weldingAll said..the Kohler seems to be a fairly reliable motor"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/