Kohler 18 Command fires then dies

[drfrideres]

Hi all,

I'm looking for some direction on my Kohler 18 v twin. It has a manual choke, will fire, and once I put the choke off will not continue to run. Almost seems as though it is flooding. The engine doesn't run more than 2-3 seconds so a total of about three or four cylinder fires I'm thinking. If I continue to crank the engine I'll smell gas shortly. If I let it sit for a while it will do the same thing, fire a few times then quit. I pulled the air filter to check the choke valve to make sure it was operating.

So I can't figure if it is the gas or the spark, but it seems it shouldn't be a spark problem if the engine fires. I've looked everywhere on the web but haven't found an answer that fits this question. I'm hoping someone might be able to help.

On a side note, I had just replaced the plugs, filters, and tuned the jet on the engine since it had been a while and the engine was running slightly erratic on idle. I had started it three times after and mowed flawlessly and ran flawless.

 

[Fish]

first, you need to put up the model and spec. numbers

 

[drfrideres]

first, you need to put up the model and spec. numbers

CV18s

61533

 

[drfrideres]

Checked the plugs for spark, good. Pulled the fuel solenoid and tested it, good. Gas pump is good as well. It'll fire with a squirt of ether so I'm thinking I may need to clean the carburetor out and reassemble. I'll let you know if that works.

 

[Fish]

Yeah, I wanted to check and see if it had that funky "Smart Spark", but it doesn't.. Yeah, it sounds like the carb is likely flooding, and the fuel tank is under the seat of the tractor. If it isn't, or either way, check and make sure that your engine oil is not half gasoline..... And I would go through the carb and inspect/clean, and replace the needle, if you can find some numbers and a brand off of the carb!! Hopefully it is a Walbro, or close to it. Kohler is quite proud of it for $365 fore a new carb!!!!

 

[drfrideres]

Are the carbs interchangable at all because I see the 2485350 carbs are considerably less than the2485341-S the book calls for. All I see different is the vertical gas intake. The mower was bought in Canada, so that maybe why the carb is a little less than common and they can charge twice the money for it.

 

[Fish]

dunno. I'd pull apart the carb first and figure out who made it. Likely Walbro, and if so, the parts from Walbro would be reasonable.

 

[drfrideres]

[/RIGHT
The carb is listed 24-053-19B. It is a Nikki. I can't find a cross reference, just want to make sure I order the right carb kit.​

 

[Fish]

Looks like it is a Nikki carb, which explains it being expensive and running like chit

 

[Fish]

don't order anything just yet, look at making a Walbro work.....