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!
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!
