Problem wit Kohler 301

Dave Sherburne NY · Apr 15, 2013

Last week I was rolling the lawn with my Power King. It quit running after about 1/2 hour. I checked and found no spark. It was getting ready to rain so I finished with a different PK. Today I finally got back to it. There was oil in the tower of the coil. I got a new coil and put it on and had spark to the plug but all it would do was backfire. I checked the compression and it was about 120 lbs. Think that rules out sticky valve. I put a new Kohler Condenser on it and checked the point gap, right on 20thousands. Seems to be getting gas like it should. It acts like it is out of time but the only way to affect the timing is by changing the point gap.
I'm wondering if anyone has any solutions before I tear it apart.

Jerry Coulter · Apr 15, 2013

Try a different spark plug.

Dave Sherburne NY · Apr 15, 2013

I knew I would forget something. I put a new plug in it too.

joe csuti · Apr 15, 2013

Check that polarity on coil primary not reversed,+12v from ign sw MUST goto +(pos)terminal on coil & points/condenser connected to -(minus)terminal,reversed polarity on coil can cause problem you have.

jeffcat · Apr 15, 2013

If you want a TON of information on your 301 go to the Gravely tractor club of America web site. On the left side is a list of stuff and you want the litature listings. Download the PDF file for the Kohler engine service book. It will be something like 115 pages. This site has ALL KINDS of usefull books.
I had all kinds of trouble with my commertial-10 gravely with a 241 engine. Same as the 301 but is a 10 horse. The book covers 10-12-and 14 horse. I have the magneto inside of the flywheel. You have a coil so check that you hooked it the right way around. Next change the condensor. The points on mine had a very lite coat of gray on them. Just touch them with a little ulta fine GARNET "tan" sand paper. I had a problem that showed up later and had to put a kit in the carb. but that is a different story.

Dave Sherburne NY · Apr 16, 2013

Checked the polarity this morning and it's right. I plan to find the flywheel timing marks and check that next, and take the head off.

joe csuti · Apr 17, 2013

If you re-used old plug lead,check same with an ohmmeter,especially if carbon core,you may have a break in carbon core or oil from coil wicked into carbon core & oil being an insulator the core may now be insulated/have high resistance to spikes on crimp terminal at coil end of wire,in addition oil loves to eat neoprene insulation on wire,terminal may be loose on coil end of wire.

This was a common problem on older V8 car eng in the 50's-60's before they changed over to silcone wire on point ign & electronic ign systems,the neoprene insulation would dry out from heat,if you had leaking valve cover gasket(s)the oil would drip on plug lead & wick thru dry insulation into plug boot where it would eat insulation,causeing plug connector to become loose & lose connection to plug wire core causing a miss/misfire.

Greenday · Apr 17, 2013

You fried your points!

T.R.K. · Apr 17, 2013

Is the points plunger sticking? That may affect timing.

I am aware that Kohler experimented with aluminum plungers that gave some trouble by sticking in the bore. I don't know if yours is an affected model or not.

Problem wit Kohler 301

Dave Sherburne NY

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Jerry Coulter

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Dave Sherburne NY

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joe csuti

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jeffcat

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Dave Sherburne NY

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joe csuti

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Greenday

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T.R.K.

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