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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!

Hkunz Hi

Have you checked your engine oil level? Is it to low on engine oil and the low oil censer is shutting it off when it get to a certain temperature from oil level. Just a idea welcome to LMF:licking:

noma said:

Hkunz Hi

Have you checked your engine oil level? Is it to low on engine oil and the low oil censer is shutting it off when it get to a certain temperature from oil level. Just a idea welcome to LMF:licking:

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Yes, i checked the oil. We changed it, we upped the amount, lowered it, and still the same....

Re: Craftsman mower intermittent problem

Its a heat problem, something is heating up and then failing, check your ignition coil.
When this failure occurs, check the plug(s).
Is a fuel pump used or is it a gravity system ?
Electric motors heat and then fail , until cooled.
I'd bypass the seat interlock, these and other complexities are troublesome.

If you changed plugs did you use QC12YC plugs, or RC12YC plugs? Everyone says they are the same but they are not..

Re: Craftsman mower intermittent problem

earthworm said:

Its a heat problem, something is heating up and then failing, check your ignition coil.
When this failure occurs, check the plug(s).
Is a fuel pump used or is it a gravity system ?
Electric motors heat and then fail , until cooled.
I'd bypass the seat interlock, these and other complexities are troublesome.

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All you mentioned are great ideas to check...good info..:smile:

sounds like a failing ignition...replaced 7 of them this summer:confused2:

i read the wrong thread....i could be ignition...but i think you have to go over the carb again properly....and do it completely

You might want to check your valve adjustments

you say the carb kit didnt fit....what didnt fit??

One other super easy thing to check: make sure that the vent on yor gas cap is unclogged.:biggrin: Please don't ask why I've been bit by such a simple thing...:ashamed:

benski said:

One other super easy thing to check: make sure that the vent on yor gas cap is unclogged.:biggrin: Please don't ask why I've been bit by such a simple thing...:ashamed:

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Ok i got to ask?...:laughing:... Dont be shy we have all done something, or should i say had a DUH moment..

No huge mystery here.:biggrin: The vents on some of the gas tanks, especially late model ones, are extremely easy to clog up with all manner of flying stuff. It's just such a simple thing to overlook I thought I'd mention it here..:ashamed::biggrin:

benski said:

No huge mystery here.:biggrin: The vents on some of the gas tanks, especially late model ones, are extremely easy to clog up with all manner of flying stuff. It's just such a simple thing to overlook I thought I'd mention it here..:ashamed::biggrin:

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Its good info though, and easily overlooked people tend to look for the bad stuff first instead of the simple things.

wjjones said:

Its good info though, and easily overlooked people tend to look for the bad stuff first instead of the simple things.

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:wink:Just like the rest of life:thumbsup:

Did you rip the new gaskets? That would be a cause of the poor running - i mentioned in another thread about my 99 murray hydro with a 17HP briggs twin - i took the carb apart many times, super cleaned it and put it back together, ran terrible or not at all - the original gaskets were all swelled up, almost dryed out looking.

I bot a carb rebuild kit, put all new gaskets and pump rebuild kit in, thing practically fired on the first hit of the key and ran awsome - new gaskets do make a difference.

Does the motor also have a antifire solenoid on the bottom of the carb float bowl? Those can be a serious annoyance as well - when they get older, they stick out and cause fuel flow issues - it can be tested out of the machine- turn the key on ( w/o cranking the motor) - the solenoid should retract- then when key is off- it should extend. If its extended with the key on- that can cause the running issues.