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Seeking opinion of an experienced Kohler engine mechanic

16 years ago

I am just plain stumped on this engine's problem.

It's a Kohler 16hp in a dealer model Cub Cadet. Cub has its own spec on this engine because the model is a CH16 and officially there is no such thing.

It has an ignition module/coil and a spark advance module.

The owner was mowing grass and after about 15 minutes, it started backfiring and then shut down. After awhile, he restarted the unit and it ran for another 5 minutes and started backfiring again and wouldn't restart.

I thought about checking the flywheel key, but the conditions under which the engine malfunctioned didn't indicate it.

The Kohler troubleshooting guide suggested it was the coil.

I replaced the coil because all the professional opinions suggested it, even though it had spark. The old coil and the new coil both had spark that can jump 3/8 inch. I have tried several new spark plugs, because they get wet from no-start cranking. The compression at cranking speed is 90#, the battery is fully charged and the gas is fresh.

Upon cranking, it acts as if the timing is "off" and makes no attempt to start, although it does backfire through the exhaust and once in awhile through the carb. Even with a shot of starting fluid, there is no change. The only thing I haven't changed is the spark advance module.

I've been an engine mechanic for 37 years and this has me baffled and I hate to buy the spark module without having cause to replace it; I'm not a parts changer.

Any Kohler people out there.

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Comments (4)

bill_kapaun
16 years ago
So now I find out it's a horizontal shaft engine.
Different service manual. maybe different tests for the module.
Do we have to guess how many cylinders? That's 2 different manuals.
Maybe if you provided better details, you wouldn't need to start a 3rd thread on the same problem.

"I replaced the coil because all the professional opinions suggested it, even though it had spark."
Who suggested that?

"I thought about checking the flywheel key, but the conditions under which the engine malfunctioned didn't indicate it."
Yet several people suggested that!
You even said in your initial post, after listing all the TRACTOR numbers, that it appeared to be a timing issue!
Personally, I'd pull the valve cover(s) and make sure the rocker arms/valves are functioning properly before I went any further.
baymee
Original Author
16 years ago
I want to add that it's a driveshaft model and has 90 hours on the meter.

Thanks for your input Bill. Kohler doesn't have any info on a CH16. I asked mechanics about this problem who have been at dealerships for many years, ones that I know personally.

My next step is to check the key.
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baymee
Original Author
16 years ago
I found the problem. The key was sheared. The bolt that secures the flywheel to the shaft was about 2 ft. pds. tight.

I blame the owner for bad information. He said it started backfiring and then stalled. Then later, he started it back up and mowed a few minutes and it stalled again. When the key shears, the party is over. However, with a failing ignition module, the stated problems can indeed occur.

Walt got it right.
bakerlandscaping_cb_gmail_com
13 years ago
Just wanted to say if its a 16 hp with a timing belt you will have to replace the belt and most likly worn pullys

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