Kohler Ch 23s runs briefly, then dies

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diymarketing

Forum Newbie
Kohler engine in a Kubota ZG ZTR, build date 9/2005, est 2,000 hours

Replaced head gaskets and main seal under flywheel last month. Ran it several days ago for an hour or more and ran fine. Went to mow today and engine started pretty easily, then died after 30 seconds or so. Did it multiple times. It runs fine and then dies as if it was turned off (lost spark). No sputter, no seeming lack of fuel. I can start it again within a minute and the same thing happens.

What I've done:
-Injected fuel direclty in carb so would run and I could check the fuel pump flow. Not sure exaclty how much should flow in a given period, but a good deal of gas flowed from the mechanical fuel pump.

-checked the under seat safety switch and it seems as if all is in order

Seems like a spark issue, but it continues to start and run for 30 seconds or so before it dies.

Any ideas are appreciated.
 
Hello DIY.,

This favors a low oil shutdown switch if the engine is equipped with that. The low oil sensor will shut down the engine just like turning the key off.

Another place to check is the fuel bowl and fuel shutoff solenoid. A sticky or failing solenoid will create this issue. Lastly, make sure to check the connector pins for the solenoid because they often spread and don't fit correctly. I chased one for this problem and it was tricky to find until I held the connector tightly to the solenoid.
 
Auto Doc: Your advice is greatly appreciated. In my work last month I did remove the carb and disconnected the solenoid several times and I will check that. Not sure if this engine has a low oil shutdown switch. Did not run across such a swith in my work or see it in the shop manual but will check into that as well. Thanks!
 
I have seemed to solve the problem. This engine does not have oil shutdown switch as fas as I can tell, but I cleaned and tightened the fuel solenoif connection and the mower has run for several hours and quite a few starts. Thanks again Auto Doc.
 
diymarketing said:
I have seemed to solve the problem. This engine does not have oil shutdown switch as fas as I can tell, but I cleaned and tightened the fuel solenoif connection and the mower has run for several hours and quite a few starts. Thanks again Auto Doc.
Click to expand...
Hello DIY,

Glad it worked out. It would help to put a small zip tie on there to hold the connector wires tight to the solenoid so they don't vibrate and spread the connection pins.
 
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