K161 Kohler won't start
 

Engine is getting good spark I removed fuel line from carb & fuel is flowing well to carb but not wanting to start & spark plug is dry. Choke & throttle cables are working fine, mowed 3 acres last week but after 1 lap around property this week she just died & refused to even fire. Carb sediment bowel is clean tank is clean with fresh gas any ideas on this one?
Thanks
Mike

Sounds like the float may be stuck in the up position, try tapping the side of the carb gently with a small hammer to get it to unstick.

Float moves freely with sediment bowl off.

That doesn't mean the needle isn't stuck in the seat. When the bowl is off and the float is down does gas flow through the needle/seat?

sure will have to check that thanks, going to buy a can of carb cleaner too & just purchased a carb rebuild kit for it.
Gas fills the float bowl while engine is off & leaks out of it.

So it might be sticking, sounds like it floods out.

If it were flooding out I would expect the plug to be wet which is not the case according to his first post.

Or the float is set to high...:bigthink:

The engine ran fine 2 weeks ago & cut 3 acres twice, this just happened last week probably just some dirt in the carb from last fall will clean it good when I can get some gumout carb cleaner & see what happens, this engine has alwas been turn key she runs like a champ!
Float level seems to be fine will replace gaskets to stop the drip from the float bowl.
Thanks

How is the wire insulation leading to the points? By now it cracks and receives moisture, even falls off the wire behind the wire guide clamp if it's still original. How is the spark plug wire? Did you confirm spark immediately after engine died? Vent hole in gas cap plugged? Starter generator functioning good, and do you have a good battery?

If you know what the possible cause is, AND how to fix it, then why did you ask?

If you don't already have one, get a can of this stuff;

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Berryman-...&wl13=&veh=sem

better than just some spray carb cleaner. I use a wire from a wire brush to clean out the small holes in the main needle. Just pull the wire out of the brush with pliers, they're usually hardened steel.:beerchug:

Spraying carb cleaner down the throat of a carb while installed on the engine does NOTHING to clean it. I don't know why people waste their time. All that does is clean the throat out..... which is not where the problems are.

Al you mentioned is in good working order & has been rebuilt & replaced with new Kohler parts last summer & engine has real good spark.

And what would you suggest?
I try the most economical & simple ways to get an engine running so if I can get away with cleaning the carb instead of taking it off & rebuilding it thats what will try first, if that doesnt work it will have to be removed & rebuilt its that simple.

Thanks will give it a go.

Putting a bowl gasket and a needle valve in isn't a "rebuild". You can usually take the bowl off and reuse the gasket if it just has gunk in it.

Spray away. It's your tractor. Might save you $4 or $5.

:Announce::American Flag 1:

Tried starting fluid & new spark plug, no fire no dice,
Thanks for your input.

If you can't get it to fire with starting fluid then you don't have correct spark. Or no compression. Does it feel like it's sucking in the carb? There is only so much to go wrong here.

But he said in post #1 it had good spark...... :bigthink:


Nothing like giving accurate information.

First thing if it has good spark as you say and will not fire on starting fluid does it have compression? Check for a exhaust valve stuck open, a blown head gasket or a hole in the piston. Years ago my first Cub Cadet, a 70 with the K161 died and would not start and when I checked compression and had none I pulled the head. The top of the piston had separated and was stuck up against the head. It never made a sound just died when I was mowing. Let us know what you find
Tom

Well This case turned out to be similar Tom,
The engine threw a rod & of course has no compression.
Will the 8hp kohler engine match up with everything?
If so I may try to find one that's running.
Thanks.

Good grief.

I guess from now on we need to start the diagnostic process with checking for compression.

you should have been at the auction I went to yesterday... lots of NOS Kohler Briggs and even Tecumseh goodies.... could have gotten what you need for that engine pretty cheap as compared to FeeBay.

Oh yea well why didnt you buy me one I would have paid you for it :bash2: my mechanic is trying to locate me a replacement engine I Refuse to buy any "New Junk"

Why doesn't your "mechanic" just rebuild the old motor?

yeah how bout it?
There were no Kohler engines at the sale, but tons of parts that would have made the rebuild real easy....

I guess to save time & money IDK.

if you want to "save time" get another machine... at least around here the hot and dry weather is burning up my yard anyways, mowing slowing down ALOT already... and in the end you won't really save any money unless you get lucky and find an engine that drops in and runs but that is a crapshoot too... how soon before that engine with unknown hours and maintenance goes out? and no, you couldn't give me a HF piece o' crap for free...

If it were me, I'd buy a kit for $125 or so and have your "mechanic" rebuild yours if the block is not windowed.
bore it, do the valves and turn the crank, then you know what you got.
Or your can buy a " all rebuilt" engine from someone who swears it is better than sex until you find out "all rebuilt" meant a few new gaskets &
a "rattle can rebuild" :bigthink:

Yea Thanks, I plan to rebuild the 7hp myself, I took a small engines class in H.S. & rebuilt 2 Briggs engines I blew up a 5 & 8hp & they turned out fine, great advice.
Thanks

Nice one .........

Just bought a K301A from this guy Amazing parts place parts counter looked like a 1960s Cub Cadet dealership.
Here is The contact, Herb Kroger in Deputy Indiana loading up my Kohler K301A engine yesterday.
If you need any parts pm me for his #

And to follow up with this story here is my new/used 12hp k301A mounted on my1969 73 narrow frame Cub along with a few pics of the money pit. This thing better outlive me or I will drop a lit match in her tank! Im not joking!!!
:bash2: :beerchug:
:TTWWP:
BLABLABLA

Looks good man. How's it run? No smoke? The 73 is one of my favorites

http://www.farmcollector.com/equipme...step-at-a-time
----For those who like to read

12hp engine runs great & no smoke at all, now I need to make her look purty with some new paint.
Thanks

73
 

I like it.The patina is perfect. Glad you got a good engine. I want a 73 as well.

Chris