24hp Kohler Hard to Start When Cold

[pliers]

Never use starting fluid it drys out any lubricants in the cylinder use carburetor cleaner or brake cleaner spray. Oil 5w 30 in winter. Other info about the choke is correct.

Also try riching up the carb setting, and check the valve adjustments

 

[Msolomon]

I have had several Husqvarna mowers over the years with the same issue. With Briggs and Kohler engines.

The Kohler engines use Carbs. that don't have replaceable throttle shaft bushings or seals. Even with the choke plate adjusted properly the engine will draw air between the body and shaft. starting will still be difficult. Power be off under a load. Some well equipped machine shops are capable of
installing new bushings and seals. In the future you can remove the throttle plate remove the shaft using the right diameter drift punch
or small diameter 1/4 drive deep socket to remove and replace the
seals and bushings

 

[bertsmobile1]

TBone, when you look out at the celestial heavens and think, WOW!, I must be the only one who can see the beauty of the night sky, think again. Its yesterday, today and tomorrow all the time - it just depends on where you are on the Earth and your point of view. Happy Holidays!

it is Sunday night where I am now
As for night skys you have nothing to compare to the Southern hemisphere night skys
The night sky down here has so many stars that the black fellas do not name the stars, they name the few pieces of dark sky between the stars
ie:- dark emu
When you get west of the mountains here and away from the light pollution the skys are really mind blowing.
It was a massive problem for the Northern hemisphere explorers because there were very few stars to navigate by as the entire sky is bright and any constellations they though they new were upside down.

 

[ILENGINE]

The Kohler engines use Carbs. that don't have replaceable throttle shaft bushings or seals. Even with the choke plate adjusted properly the engine will draw air between the body and shaft. starting will still be difficult. Power be off under a load. Some well equipped machine shops are capable of
installing new bushings and seals. In the future you can remove yhe throttle

A lot of Briggs carbs don't have shaft seals or bushing either. So that point is not relevant. What Kohler has that Briggs doesn't is the spring loaded choke that allows it to partially open on the intake stroke to help prevent flooding. Creates the same issues as a choke that isn't completely closed. But that system is normally used on the command engines and some Courage and even then most of the time cold starting isn't an issue. I have had a couple handfuls of engines that wouldn't start below 30 degrees F. One was Courage single that I fixed the issue by modifying the choke plate from 4 holes to 2 and the rest were Briggs engines which could be started if you move the equipment out into the sun for a couple of hours.

 

[StarTech]

I believe that Kohler spring loaded is meant to partially open when the engine is running and not when cranking.

Now modifying choke is an old Tecumseh trick that works on a lot of engines. Sometimes you can find a different plate (vane, butterfly) that has smaller holes. Other times it takes sealing one of holes or welding up a hole and drilling it out smaller. I have even installed screws and nuts to seal them up but of they got to be pinged to prevent from coming apart and being inhaled.

I got a Subaru 650 wagon that has such a mod done. It would not start to save your life below 35F.

And I also engines that these vane holes had to be enlarged due startup flooding while cranking.

 

[pliers]

Im not sure if I replied yet, but check for good spark, it should be blue, and maybe adjust carb to run a bit richer., of course you probably know the other basics, like plug (proper one, or maybe try a hotter one), and use fresh fuel and stabilizer.

 

[pliers]

I believe that Kohler spring loaded is meant to partially open when the engine is running and not when cranking.

Now modifying choke is an old Tecumseh trick that works on a lot of engines. Sometimes you can find a different plate (vane, butterfly) that has smaller holes. Other times it takes sealing one of holes or welding up a hole and drilling it out smaller. I have even installed screws and nuts to seal them up but of they got to be pinged to prevent from coming apart and being inhaled.

I got a Subaru 650 wagon that has such a mod done. It would not start to save your life below 35F.

And I also engines that these vane holes had to be enlarged due startup flooding while cranking.

 

[pliers]

I thank good for fuel injection. I spent many morning freezing my ass off messing with chokes

 

[StarTech]

Im not sure if I replied yet, but check for good spark, it should be blue, and maybe adjust carb to run a bit richer., of course you probably know the other basics, like plug (proper one, or maybe try a hotter one), and use fresh fuel and stabilizer.

Color of spark is environment depend. When salty air is present the spark can be more orange like the sodium street lights.

 

[Sherman Anderson]

I have a 2018 model Kohler 24hp V-twin in a Cub Cadet XT1 that I've owned since new. It's a mower in the summer and gets a snow blade for winter use. It's always been hard to start when it's cold (<45 degrees), and I have to use starting fluid if it gets much below 40 deg. F. It lives in an unconditioned shed and is on at battery tender year-round.

I have the engine manual that came with it, but it's pretty vague. They evidently don't want owners messing with their machinery. Can anyone here help me out with some adjustments to improve cold starting? Thanks in advance.

For my Kohler Command Pro engines, 6 HP (2003) & 12.75 HP (2009) I rely on OPEngines of Salem, Oregon for manuals and clear information. Their data sheets and manuals are excellent. I suggest you print a manual for your v-twin then check specifications set of your engine. Good. Luck!