HDS 2135 sputters and dies...no idea where to start

Symmetry

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Hey there! I've been renting a property for 5 months now, and it came with an old (I assume - it's certainly older than the Deere the owners replaced it with) Cub Cadet HDS 2135 with a Kohler "Command OHV" 13HP engine (not sure about model number, sorry).

It's been running great the entire time, never a stop or sputter or issue, even on my uneven, slopy property. However, about a month ago, it started to simply die after a while. At first it would run for a few hours and then start sputtering, but more recently it's been running for less than an hour before death. Waiting a while lets it start up and go again, but it stops shortly after that.

I suspect it's a fuel line or fuel delivery issue, so a week or two ago I replaced the oil filter with a brand new one (and good thing, too, it was toast). That helped at first, but then the problem came back with a vengeance.

At this point I can sometimes only run it for 15 minutes. This is putting a serious dent in my lawn care - it's the only mower I have, and I have 2.5 acres of lawn to mow every week.

Does anyone have any suggestions for how to diagnose the problem? I live with two roommates/business partners, and the two of them have extensive experience with engines. Any repairs necessary aren't a problem, but I don't know what to do.

Please, if you have any ideas at all, throw them at me! On the other hand, if I'm being a stupid noob, tell me that too (and if you're kind enough, point me to where I should read).

Thanks for any help.
Nigel Fisher
 

Rivets

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Sounds to me that the coil is shorting out when it gets warm. Have them check for spark right after it dies. If no spark replace the coil.
 
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