Missing cylinder?

Vern · Oct 7, 2021

I have a Cub Cadet-2542 Garden tractor with a Kohler C20 V twin engine.
It only runs on 1 cylinder. If I pull the #1 spark plug wire it runs on #2.
If I pull the #2 spark plug wire It runs on #1.
With both wires hooked up it misses.
Where do I check next?

T.R.K. · Oct 7, 2021

Does feathering in the choke help? If so, clean the carburetor. If it doesn't, you need to check compression in both cylinders, and leakdown in both cylinders. If you have a tachometer, do a cylinder balance test. The weak cylinder will not cause as much drop in rpm as the 'good' cylinder does when you kill the spark. Also, check for an intake manifold leak.

Jerry Coulter · Oct 7, 2021

I have a Briggs 18 HP did that. I replaced the air cleaner element and cured it.

R Bedell · Oct 8, 2021

Vern:

I would look and check the Ignition Coil(s). Sound like they are out of spec.

Mule Meat · Oct 12, 2021

Command or Courage engine?

Different problems, different fixes for different engines.

504 · Oct 12, 2021

Sometimes increasing the restions on the circuit will act like that,bad plug wires,bad plug,bad condenser,or coil. I had an 18 hp that used phenolic spark plug boots ,the wire and burnt the centers out and acted like yours. My cure was simple,I just cut an 1,8 of the end and put them back together.

tractorguy2 · Oct 16, 2021

Some two cylinder engines have a diode between the coils. If the diode goes bad they will only hit on one. If yours has a diode. Remove the top cover and disconnect the kill wire from both coils. Start it up and if it runs on both. That's the problem.

Missing cylinder?

Vern

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T.R.K.

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Jerry Coulter

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R Bedell

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Mule Meat

Well-known Member

504

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tractorguy2

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