Problem with 149

jfinney · #1 07-01-2009, 02:20 PM

I picked up a 149 yesterday and it starts and runs very well. However, after about 30 minutes of mowing yesterday, the tractor started to sputter and die. Gas tank was pretty low, so I filled it up and it started and ran well again. I was cutting for about 40 minutes today when it did the same thing. I couldn't get it re-started. The guy I bought it from said it had new points, condenser, plug wire and battery. Anyone have any ideas as to what it may be? Thanks,
Jason

rfrank · #2 07-01-2009, 03:46 PM

does it turn over quickly? As in the compression relaease turn over quickly or faster like maybe exhaust valve hanging open? does it back fire? Is your gas cap venting?

rfrank · #3 07-01-2009, 03:46 PM

Ooops, do you have spark? Maybe a coil overheating and dying out on you.

R Bedell · #4 07-01-2009, 04:09 PM

Also, it could be a sticky Valve. When the motor gets hot, most likely the exhaust valve will stick open, until the motor cools down. Something to check.

jfinney · #5 07-01-2009, 06:12 PM

Ok, so I've been outside fiddling with it. Looking at the coil, the wire to the + side of the coil was kind of iffy. While cranking, I wiggled the wire a bit and it started up, ran rough, then died. So, I put a new connection on the end of the wire and hooked it up to the coil. It fired right up!!!! Feeling a bit like superman, I went to finish cutting grass, only to have it sputter and die out on me again after about 5 minutes. It doesn't seem to be spinning over abnormally quickly. I've drained the battery down trying to start it, so I put jumper cables to it, but it still didn't start. Seemed like it was cranking slowly. I can't get it to start at all now, even when the tractor is cooled down? Could it be a bad coil? How about the exhaust valve, how would I check that? Thanks for the input. Jason

RPalmer · #6 07-01-2009, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jfinney

Ok, so I've been outside fiddling with it. Looking at the coil, the wire to the + side of the coil was kind of iffy.

Keep looking and fiddling. You might want to start with that same wire. Take nothing for granted, assume nothing. Look and feel. Especially where that coil wire mounts to the shroud. The thing is it could be a lot of different things. And you need to continue fiddling with it to rule out everything you know to look for.

ole 147 · #7 07-02-2009, 01:16 AM

Well I check for spark first. If no spark I'd check the condenser first. especially if it is a new one. When I change condensers I never toss the old one unless it was bad. New condensers can die shortly after install.
I have had very little trouble with coils, I never check them first.
How do U mean iffy? Check the ground. I don't mean the dirt either.
If I don't have a clue I start at the spark plug & work back.
Assuming it is electrical. Check to see if U have spark first.
Do all that and U find your gas line is clogged. Hummm

R Bedell · #8 07-02-2009, 07:19 AM

Jason:

IF your problem is electrical, here is a simplified Kohler Ignition Circuit.... Circuit ....to help you go through the circuit.

jfinney · #9 07-02-2009, 07:58 AM

Ole 147,
When I said that the wire was iffy, it looked like the wire and insulation were fraying where it went into the connector. I have a spare condenser, maybe I'll try that. It does have spark, I checked that already. You're right, I ought to check the fuel line. I thought about that, but jumped right into trying to find an electrical problem. I'm going out of town today through the weekend, so I probably won't get a chance to check it again until Monday. Thanks for the tips. Roland, thanks for the heads up on the wiring diagram.
Jason

weaverama · #10 07-02-2009, 08:29 AM

I'll just throw in an observation here. There are literally dozens of posts on this site and the Archived site that request input on the same symptom. "My tractor runs fine for __ miniutes and then sputters." Not sure if it is just me that noticed this because I also had the same problem. But in any case, Seafoam cured my woes as it was some gunk in the carb or making a valve stick. that is where I would start.