Kohler plug question

notjustair

Well-known Member
My ZTR has a 16 horse Kohler Magnum that is getting progressively harder to start when cold. The carb is adjusted well, it has gravity flow with plenty of fuel flow, and the choke is closing all the way. It runs perfectly once you get it started but you literally have to run the battery nearly dead to get it going. I want to replace the plug and then check and make sure I have a hot enough spark. Anyone know what the recommended plug is? It has a Champion of some kind in there that has been in it since I got it but I have lost my faith in champs and will go another route.

If I give it a shot of ether it pops right off, but I don't want to keep doing that!
 
If eng will fire with either then plug not the problem however I would replace same as 504 said,replacement plug champion rh10c,autolite 216 or 4316.

The most likely cause of problem is probably the fuel system or several possible mech problems.

Possible fuel system problems-plugged/resticted fuel filter/fuel lines,choke not closeing all the way,worn throttle shaft hole in carb body,hi-speed needle set too lean,float/float needle sticking,dirt in carb inlet passage & float needle seat,dirt/water in carb bowl,main jet & internal passages of carb body,carb loose or mounting gasket leaking.

Possible mech problems-worn cyl/rings & eng has low compression,leaking/blown head gasket,leaking valves due to carbon buildup on valves/valve seats,sticking valves due to carbon buildup on stems,worn intake valve guide,valve clearance may need checking/adjust,z bent/sheared flywheel key changeing ign timing.

Click on link below & download a service/repair manual for your eng,may help you isolate problem
kohler
 
You should install a primer like most snowblowers have. That will squirt atomized gas directly into air intake. Even military vehicles had a primer when they were still using gas engines. Some of those engines were 1790 cid. Hal
 
I'm going to go against the grain of the other posts: Change the sparkplug. That is why we still do tune-ups and I have seen almost miraculous results starting in just the last 2 weeks on other mowers just by changning the sparkplugs.
A valve adjustment is a good investment too.

I am guessing your Magnum has a mechanical fuel pump on it. I have seen two of them in the last 2 years that the pump delivery was failing. Just enough gas delivery to keep it going in most cases, but takes forever to fill an empty carburetor.

What I have done is to install a modern pulse pump on the engine. Just make an adapter plate to cover the pump mount hole in the block, install a nipple in it and a fuel hose over to the pump.

Stay away from Either in those engines unless you want an overhaul or a new engine. Its hard on pistons and rings.
 
If his 16 horse is like my 20 horse Magnum, I agree with adding a primer bulb. When the engine sits for more than a few days the fuel pump loses its prime and it takes a lot of cranking to get fuel back into the carb. I put a primer bulb between the gas tank and the fuel pump. I couple of squeezes and it starts right off.
 

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