Kohler KT17 misfire intermittent

IA Roy · Oct 3, 2015

Also posted on Garden Tractors
Engine in Cub Cadet 682. When I start the engine, it runs fine (fine for a worn out POS). After 10 to 15 minutes, it loses power and is only hitting on 1 cylinder I think.Last night I took the time to run a compression check just after it acted up in case it happened to be a valve hanging up. Compression was same on both cylinders. I took the points out to check for pitting. They had a little oil on them, but were not pitted. Cleaned with carburetor cleaner and reinstalled. It did not help. I have heard of condenser issues that can cause these symptoms. I will pick up a condenser today and give that a try. I will use a timing light to time after the new condenser. If that does not correct the issue, I may get another coil. I will probably go online for a used one as the new ones are outrageously expensive. First, though, I will probably pull the high tension wires out of the coil and shorten as them as the manual recommends. Any suggestions on things that I have not thought of?

Den N Ms · Oct 3, 2015

Roy,Run it till it starts missing then pull each plug wire of each plug one at a time to be sure of the one that is missing.The engine will die when the good one is pulled.Then check the spark with s screwdriver hooked to the non hitting plug wire to check that coil.Hold the screwdriver shaft 1/4" away from the plug base or head to check spark.It could be a bad coil that has an open as it heats up.

DR. EVIL · Oct 3, 2015

I haven't been able to get over 125-140 hours out of a condenser in the last ten years on either a Kohler or Onan engine. The old ones, even 20+ years old never seem to fail. I've got several old Kohler condensors stashed away, enough to last as long as I'll ever need.

cole in mo. · Oct 3, 2015

It could be a valve set too tight, 10-15 minutes would be enough for it to expand, till it didn't seat.

daisyman · Oct 3, 2015

Just went through that with a 20HP Kohler Command. Same symptoms as yours, fizzled out after 10-15 minutes. Clean the carb, yada yada yada, took it to a dealer and he tested the coils with it running, bad coils. I don't know if the older Kohler KT 17 had tractor type coils or not, but these were under the shroud like a Briggs and Straton.

Gene Davis (Ga.) · Oct 3, 2015

Kohler twins had a lot of coil problems

IA Roy · Oct 5, 2015

Coil is about 2/3 the size of a tractor/older car coil. It has 2 output towers, one for each cylinder. I put a timing light on each, one side at a time It was hard to tell, but I think one side was intermittent. I haven't touched it since Friday night as the weekend was pretty cr0ppy and late home tonight and tomorrow too. I am going to put a new condenser on it and shorten the coil end of the wires as the manual recommends.
I will let all know when or if it get it going.

Kohler KT17 misfire intermittent

IA Roy

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Den N Ms

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DR. EVIL

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cole in mo.

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daisyman

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Gene Davis (Ga.)

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IA Roy

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