Terramite Kohler thoughts

Patsdeere · Jul 12, 2018

Had a guy call and say he has a 20hp Kohler that will fire off with ether, but die quick. He says seems like no fuel. I've never putzed with one, thoughts of where to look? Is there a fuel filter on it? Any electronic shut offs? Let's assume it has fairly fresh gas in the tank.

Thanks.

casecollectorsc · Jul 12, 2018

Gas getting to the carb?

grizz02 · Jul 12, 2018

I believe there is a electric fuel solenoid on the bottom of the carb to shut fuel off when key is turned off

pete black · Jul 12, 2018

Resident expert on Terramite; Geo-TH. Maybe he will answer.

Geo-TH,In · Jul 12, 2018

There are two solenoids. One in carb and one between tank and vacuum fuel pump. You obviously have a fuel issue. Make sure both are getting power and both have resistance.

It should be easy to determine if the solenoid between tank and fuel pump is bad. Remove inlet fuel hose from pump, turn key on and there should be fuel coming out. You should be able to hear solenoid click when power is applied. Could be in line fuel filter. Could be water in gas.

There is only one fuse, so if starter works, that fuse has to be good.
It's possible the ignition switch is bad. Applies power to starter but not to both solenoids.

Not that hard to take top off carb while still on engine and blow out all jets. Very simple carb. No adjustments. All fixed jets.

It's a simple engine to work on. No valve adjustments either, hydraulic lifters.

Let me know what you find.

Kansasredneck · Jul 13, 2018

Check the choke cable. Our church has a mower with a Kohler on it, the choke knob is below the seat. Same symptoms. Hauled it to the local repair guy. It took me longer to get it unstrapped and pushed down the ramp than it took him to get it running.

Patsdeere · Jul 15, 2018

Geo,

You were right. That thing is a pretty simple machine. Checked the easy solenoid, it was good. Pulled the top off the carb, blew everything it. Ran wire in each passage. Put it all back together, nothing. Went deeper. Pulled top off and then pulled bottom. Pulled solenoid out, powered it up, yep it works. But what do I find down there at the bottom? White corrosion stuff. Blew it out really well, wiped down plunger, got all loose corrosion out. Put it all back together, still no go. Have it a snuf of ether and away it went. Figured I didn't give it enough time to pump fuel into the carb. Turned it off, restarted it a couple of times and starts right up. Told them to replace fuel as it was cloudy.

Thank you for the help.

Terramite Kohler thoughts

Patsdeere

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casecollectorsc

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grizz02

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pete black

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Geo-TH,In

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Kansasredneck

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Patsdeere

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