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I have a big 26 HP V-twin Kohler Craftsman 56" mower, DGS 6500, that has been displaying an intermittent problem for some time now. I replaced the plugs, air filter, oil filter, fuel filter, and tore the carb apart and put it all back together again, with little or no change. The carb kit didn't fit exactly, but the gaskets I tore did fit, so it worked out. Not that it matters much, as it didn't change the symptoms.

First thing in the morning, or after work, doesn't matter. Temperature doesn't matter. When we start it up and start mowing, it works great. After anywhere from 20 minutes to one hour, it will start to act up, cutting out, and eventually quit. If we let it sit for an hour or so, it will fire right back up and go great for anywhere from an 20 minutes to an hour, when it dies again.

If I spray ether in the air cleaner, it will fire right back up, but not run better, which indicates it is not an electrical problem.

When my gardener, who is a very little guy, rides it, the problem is worse. If I ride it, it seems to keep running a lot longer. We took the seat interlock out, but it dies when we let off the clutch. This is the third Craftsman mower we've had with bizarre issues like this. It wasn't cheap, and the one closest to it in the current Craftsman catalog is $2,899. I don't want to go buying another Craftsman, if this will just happen again.

Where do I go to get troubleshooting procedures for a problem like this? Are there common issues I should look for?

Thanks!

Hey there - WELCOME to LMF!

I moved your thread to the Craftsman Forum. :smile:

Check to make sure your fuel pump hoses are in good shape, too.:smile:

Fuel pump? Where? I didn't see it in the manual.

Is your gas cap properly vented? It might be plugged creating a vacuum in the tank after 20 minutes, loosen the cap then try to start it. If this is the problem , it should start once the carb fills

How does that little rubber hose look that goes to the engine breather off the backside of the carb? It is listed as (Breather Assembly) in the manual.

Mattmotors said:

Is your gas cap properly vented? It might be plugged creating a vacuum in the tank after 20 minutes, loosen the cap then try to start it. If this is the problem , it should start once the carb fills

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You are a genius! I ran it and ran it until it started to quit, then loosened the gas cap, and it started right up. I then ran it again until it started to stall, loosened the gas cap before it dies, and it cleared right up. I did this several times, mowing about an acre and a half, just running it and running it, and repeated the problem and the fix three times.

Thanks!

I am wondering how they will get around the venting problems with the new sealed fuel systems with the evaporative vapor system that runs with a vacuum on the fuel tank.

ILENGINE said:

I am wondering how they will get around the venting problems with the new sealed fuel systems with the evaporative vapor system that runs with a vacuum on the fuel tank.

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I think it's just going to get worse and worse.:frown:The government, in its infinite wisdom, will make working on your own stuff more and more difficult, and then wonder why people are spending more time and using more gas to drive their lawnmowers and other equipment 50 miles round trip (twice!) to an "authorized repair facility"...:confused2: It is all great and well when and if it works, but that is so rare I have my doubts.

benski said:

I think it's just going to get worse and worse.:frown:The government, in its infinite wisdom, will make working on your own stuff more and more difficult, and then wonder why people are spending more time and using more gas to drive their lawnmowers and other equipment 50 miles round trip (twice!) to an "authorized repair facility"...:confused2: It is all great and well when and if it works, but that is so rare I have my doubts.

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Yep, things are going downhill.

Mowers are being made to break down easier, and when they do, they need more expensive repairs.

Not to mention the increasing prices of buying new mowers.

My advice to anybody looking to buy a mower, would be to try and get a good used one rather than a crappy new one.

jmurray01 said:

Yep, things are going downhill.

Mowers are being made to break down easier, and when they do, they need more expensive repairs.

Not to mention the increasing prices of buying new mowers.

My advice to anybody looking to buy a mower, would be to try and get a good used one rather than a crappy new one.

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I sure find a good used (insert noun here) to usually be a much better long term value than a new, cheaply made one. It is very frustrating.:frown: Apparently this condition isn't limited to the United States, I gather..