Ahh, OK. These newfangled gadgets are just plain too complicated. I prefer the older models that would run as long as there was a little gas, spark, and air--or maybe even horse drawn. A few oats, a bit of hay, and some clean water--now that was mowing--and no eco worries about the consumption of fossil fuels.

No spark control box and yes the plugs are wet? You could disconnect the kill wires for test purposes and see what happens. Best to keep the conversation on board so everyone is on the same page. Also post model and spec of the engine and if it has an accelerator pump on the side of the carb.

The question was posed in 2009. It's now 2019. I expect most prolly everyone solved their problem by getting a new lawmower. But since you are here.... I have a hand-me-down Craftsman with a 16.5HP Kohler engine. After I changed the fuel filter the thing started stalling out on hills, etc. Same places. Same everything. It drove me nuts so I came to places like this for a clue. IF you are having the stalling problem after changing the filter...get the right filter. Heck, I went to a local mower shop to get the right filter and the owner refused to sell me one. Said I had the BEST filter already. Jeez. So I went elsewhere and got the right filter....same as the one I replaced and today...no problems. This is not all good bekez I had a new Cub Cadet all picked out. Dang! Listen...the right filter is on Amazon. So if you messed up like I did and got the one they said would work...the larger one...then go back to the smaller one: Kohler Engines 25 050 21-S Fuel Filter If you can't find it by the number...get one that looks like it and fits the Kohler. Just that simple. Good luck! My good deed for the day.

This is going to be hard to explain. My first indication of trouble was a couple of months ago when I first tried to start my tractor it would turn about a 1/4 of a turn and stop cranking like pushing water with the piston. Then I would restart and it would turn over good and start. Last Saturday I tried to start it and it turned a 1/4 turn and stopped. Tried again and nothing. I noticed the amp gauge moved (-) and heard the starter solenoid click but no starter. I jumped the battery from my truck but no dice. Just clicking. Jumped right to the starter and all it did was 1/4 turn and stop. I did not think about taking the plugs out until after I ordered a new starter. I looked on you-tube and found a lot of info on Briggs motors and one on Kohler push mower. They all had solid lifters I assume. But all symptoms were the same as mine. So I down loaded the Kohler Manual on my engine and missed the part about tightening the rocker arm bolt down tight.Hydraulic lifters I took off the rocker arm covers and the rocker arm bolt were tight and noticed the compression relief bump on the exhaust valves. My starter solenoid came today so I replaced that because I knew that was bad because I could short across the old one and the starter would try to do it's thing. So with battery charged, old starter in and new starter solenoid installed I hit the starter switch and the starter turned a 1/4 turn and stalled, hit the switch again and the starter took hold and the engine fired and took off running. tried several more times and started every time. I guess my question now is-does this engine have some kind of smart start to help this turn over easier on starting? or can you tell me to look at something else to get past this acting like it's coming up against a cylinder full of water. I do appreciate the help so far. Paul