Points arcing

Cvans · #1 11-03-2009, 10:43 AM

I have a 1450 with the original Kohler in it. It appears to have the original coil in it also. Last night while running it with the points cover off I noticed that the points were arcing like crazy and when the arc pattern changed the engine would miss. Is it time for a new coil? Any help would be appreciated!
Thanks,
Chris

R Bedell · #2 11-03-2009, 10:45 AM

Chris:

Change the Condenser FIRST, Make sure the mounting tab is grounded good.

Cvans · #3 11-03-2009, 11:10 AM

This is the first engine I've worked on where the condenser is mounted next to the coil and attached to the coil instead of the points. Shouldn't make any difference. I've just never noticed this before. Can you tell that Briggs has been my main engine?

Thanks,
Chris

Yosemite Sam · #4 11-03-2009, 12:16 PM

Cvans,

Welcome to the world of Kohlers... With the exception of the basic fundamentals and principles of the internal combustion engine, when it comes to the difference between a Kohler and a Briggs and Stratton, you can pretty-much forget everything that you know about working on a small engine. Ok, well that isn't exactly true, but Kohlers are a different breed of engine, when first starting to work with Kohlers they have left more than one B&S enthusiast scratching their heads. Once you get used to them though, you will never go back.

Cvans · #5 11-03-2009, 01:55 PM

I went out and checked the condenser and the insulated end where the wire comes out was cracked. So I put another condenser (Briggs) in it's place and the same thing happens. When the arc at the points is normal, the engine runs fine, BUT when the arc gets bright it cuts out and wants to die until the arc returns to it's normal color again.

I don't have any problems with Kohler or Briggs for that matter. The only comment I've heard that's negative about Kohler singles is that they vibrate more than the Briggs. On this point I would have to agree. As far as engine life, I would say it's a toss up.

Any Ideas on why the points would be intermttently flashing like this would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Chris

RPalmer · #6 11-03-2009, 02:36 PM

Cvans,
I think you will find that any Kohler will out torque any Briggs.

Rhoderman · #7 11-03-2009, 03:10 PM

Cvans,

I'd think your coil is probably either
1 - the wrong one (no internal resistor), or
2 - going bad and getting an internal short when hot.

An intermittent internal short would be hard to spot with an ohm check.

Try a new coil, it should fix it. There's not much else to the circuit. Unless it's overvoltage or oil on the points.

Cvans · #8 11-03-2009, 03:14 PM

I think I'm going to head to town and pick up a new coil. I'll report back with the results. Thanks
Chris

Cvans · #9 11-03-2009, 07:59 PM

It appears that the coil was the problem.

I installed a coil with an internal resistor and the points flashing stopped. The engine starts and runs good now. A few bugs to work out and I'm on my way.
Thanks to everyone for their suggestions. Hopefully this will help someone else in the future.
Chris

Rhoderman · #10 11-04-2009, 09:42 PM

Glad to hear it Chris! Did your old coil have an internal resistor? My 122 came with what "he" said was the right cub coil. Well, "he" was wrong. Boy did that thing get HOT! I'm in the middle of a full rebuild right now, so I'll be ordering up a new coil soon. Did you get yours at a local auto parts type store? Would you tell me the P/N and approx price?

Thanks,
Jim