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Garden Tractors Discussion Forum

my kohler headache

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perry

02-03-2004 19:19:52




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i have a ford lgt 145 hydro, with a k321 kohler 14hp..its running rough,and loss of power. it runs ok at low rpms, but spits and back fires at higher rpms..i have set the points a number of times, and have been threw the carb, adjusting and cleaning over and over,and installed new air cleaner and plug..i already took of the muffler to see if it was plugged,and it still ran the same.also new plastic gas tank and fresh gas..its acting as if the mixture needle is out of adjustment. i have been hovering over this engine long enough,and have had too many back fires to the ears... let me know what you think

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wh604perry

12-15-2004 04:26:26




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 Re: my kohler headache in reply to perry, 02-03-2004 19:19:52  
ive lost it at age 33. this past sunday on a snowy december morning, i decided to drag out the ford lgt145 and try and get one more plow out of her. well i went to replace the condenser and could not find it? hhhhmmmm? i thought,something isnt right here.went out and looked at my old wheelhorse kohler to see where condenser was located. WOW right next to the coil. went back to ford and found no condenser. well a year ago i robbed the points and condenser off the ford for a boat that i was working on,and i never put condenser back on. i wouldnt think it would run with out it, but it did. just not that good. i threw a new condenser on it and its running great. years and years ive been working on tractors and never would of thought i would do something like forget to put condenser back on. i get involved with everybodys small engine promblom and overlooked mine. i guess i need to slow down a bit and stop running around like a mad man with 50 million projects going on. boy do i feel stupid. so put down that beer, and pour a cup of coffee,and for godsakes SLOW DOWN

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Denise

04-06-2004 06:09:54




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 Re: my kohler headache in reply to perry, 02-03-2004 19:19:52  
Just found the site listing your question. We are in the process of replacing our K321. Rebuilt it last year, then threw a rod. Bummer. Just curious, did you ever get the problem fixed?



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fixerupper

02-06-2004 19:25:57




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 Re: my kohler headache in reply to perry, 02-03-2004 19:19:52  
You can pick up a small engines shop manual at most auto parts stores. It will cover all of the popular brands. Might come in handy for some other brand someday.



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Kent of SW MO

02-05-2004 12:21:17




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 Re: my kohler headache in reply to perry, 02-03-2004 19:19:52  
Check coil polarity points to the negative side. Ignition switch to the positive side.



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John M

02-04-2004 16:39:14




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 Re: my kohler headache in reply to perry, 02-03-2004 19:19:52  
they are all the right places to look but there is one that i had that wasnt in here check u r wire to pointsand to coil make sure there arent no bare wires or that the coil in not hitting any metal if that happens it will do all of that and then some



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JMC

02-04-2004 14:12:16




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 Re: my kohler headache in reply to perry, 02-03-2004 19:19:52  
Most likely the condensor. I rebuilt my 10hp Kohler and didnt replace the points and condensor, so it spat, sputtered, and popped at high rpms. Ten dollars I think and solved it. My neighbor bought a JD 314 and couldnt get the mixture right, or so we thought. He did a little reading in my manual and went for the condensor. Sure as shoot that few dollar part was bad. Middle of last year my mower starting losing power bad at high rpms and started running rough. Would idle just fine and when I turned the r's up, I knew it was burning way too rich. From my neighbors experience, I went and got the condensor and thats all it needed to smooth it out.

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RAR/IA

02-04-2004 13:30:14




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 Re: my kohler headache in reply to perry, 02-03-2004 19:19:52  
Don't overlook the condensor for the points. Extra load can cause them to break down at high speed. Cheap to replace and easier than valves, etc.

Roger



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Tom

02-04-2004 11:10:09




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 Re: my kohler headache in reply to perry, 02-03-2004 19:19:52  
Perry,

I had a similar behavior from my 12 hp Kohler on a Cub Cadet. It turned out to be a burnt exhaust valve. Replaced the valve and the engine has run like new ever since.



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Fixerupper

02-04-2004 08:50:13




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 Re: my kohler headache in reply to perry, 02-03-2004 19:19:52  
Bryan is probably right. I have a 224 Case garden tractor with that same engine and it ate coils until I unbolted the coil from the engine and put it on the tractor frame. If your coil is mounted on the engine the vibrations will end it's life in short order.



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bryan

02-04-2004 06:51:38




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 Re: my kohler headache in reply to perry, 02-03-2004 19:19:52  
Replace Coil !!!! had same problems with 321 in my loader ,,fought it and fought it ,,carb points ,timing etc over and over ,,then tried coil !!! fixed it !



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rick

02-04-2004 05:13:40




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 Re: my kohler headache in reply to perry, 02-03-2004 19:19:52  
check the valve clearances too



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sgmbabby

02-04-2004 01:41:59




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 Re: my kohler headache in reply to perry, 02-03-2004 19:19:52  
Couple things I would check is:

Gasket seal between carb and engine. It may be sucking air at high rpms.
Air mixture screw. If it is a Kohler Adjustable carb
Low idle screw 2 1/2 turns out (on side of carb)
High idle 2 1/2 turns out. (That's the one on Top)

If it's a Walbro Carb you will only have a Low idle adjustment screw and it's 1 1/2 turns out.

You may want to check the fuel pump or regulator/filter if it has one as well.

It may also be your timing/governor off.

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Bob

02-04-2004 11:36:52




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 Re: Re: my kohler headache in reply to sgmbabby, 02-04-2004 01:41:59  
Check the flywheel sheer pin. If the sheer pin is bent,but not completely cut it will throw the timing off and make it run poorly,as you describe-run into this problem on a cub cadet with 12 hp Kohler several years ago-like to never figured it out. Hope this helps.



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Jim

02-04-2004 17:10:27




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 Re: Re: Re: my kohler headache in reply to Bob, 02-04-2004 11:36:52  
Battery igntion, makes no differance where the flywheel key is at.



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Bob

02-04-2004 23:13:56




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 Re: Re: Re: Re: my kohler headache in reply to Jim, 02-04-2004 17:10:27  
Still sounds like a timing problem-running poor and back-fires alot. How are your valves? A burned
or warped valve might make it act like that. If I think of anything else I'll post it. If you solve your problem e-mail me the solution-you've got me curious. Good luck



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chris

05-23-2004 09:06:49




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 Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: my kohler headache in reply to Bob, 02-04-2004 23:13:56  
Help anyone..... I have a kolher CV16S engine in a ford/new holland LS45H lawn tractor-- i don't know the year- runs great-but..... no power on any type of slope.. i mean no power. i can't seem to get the rpm's needed... even on the flats at full rpm, it sounds like i'm at about 3/4 speed. i've tried adjusting the cable but i still don't get the rpm that i need.. i know this engine is capable of more...also in reverse, it's dog slow... any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. thanks-chris

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perry

02-05-2004 03:44:20




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 Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: my kohler headache in reply to Bob, 02-04-2004 23:13:56  
alot of great info..ill start with the condenser,,and we will see what happens this week end. and how do i check valves in a k-series?i have done lots of briggs motors, but this kohler looks like a bugger to get to the valves. also i m having a hard time locating my timeing mark{where is it}....



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Bob

02-05-2004 16:50:21




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 Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: my kohler headache in reply to perry, 02-05-2004 03:44:20  
Perry,I've found Kohler k5 service manuals in downloadable pdf format at kohlerengines.com/servicemanuals-Read Mike's posting,he's got the timing marks,and just for me, check that flywheel key-I've been told it won't make any difference and maby it was a fluke or a coinsidence,but one old kohler seemed torun alot better once that bent key was corrected.And since I'm courious,once youget her runnin'let me know what did that fixed your problem, I'd like to know. Hope I came up with somthin' that helped-Bob

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Bob

02-05-2004 06:43:03




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 Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: my kohler headache in reply to perry, 02-05-2004 03:44:20  
Perry, To be perfectly honest, most of my experience is with Briggs and Tecumseh. Worked on a few Kohlers in Vo-Tech (in cub cadet tractors)about 15 years ago. They're tough engines,but they can be real buggers. Don't recall the timing specs off the top of my head,but I'll try to see if I can find them for you. Hope I can come up with something useful. Best Wishes.



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Mike

02-05-2004 08:03:13




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 Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: my kohler headache in reply to Bob, 02-05-2004 06:43:03  
Timing mark is on the flywheel. Look through the 1/2 hole in the tin. There will be two marks indicated by a letter. I believe one is a T the other an S. T is top dead center where the points should just start to open. S is where the points gap should be checked to match the spec. I could have them swapped, since I do not have my book with me.
Mike



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Another Bob

02-07-2004 12:19:02




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 Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: my kohler headache in reply to Mike, 02-05-2004 08:03:13  
NO!

The points should just start to open at the "S" mark.

The best way to set the points (AND the timing) is to use a timing light with the engine running. The "S" mark should be visible centered in the timing hole cover in the blower housing, using the timing light.



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perry

02-05-2004 18:30:27




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 Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: my kohler headache in reply to Mike, 02-05-2004 08:03:13  
ill be checking this all out this weekend,,,i hope i come up with something,,,,and i will check the flywheel key for ya bob,,i have had past promblems with bent and sloppy keyways...thanks



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wh604perry

12-16-2004 03:18:23




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 Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: my kohler head in reply to perry, 02-05-2004 18:30:27  
finaly changed the condenser and its runninig great. ran 3 hours plowing in driveway



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wh604perry

01-01-2005 12:18:53




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 Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: my kohler head in reply to wh604perry, 12-16-2004 03:18:23  
still running fine



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