Kohler Command 25 HP sputtering/loss of power

eric hoffmeyer

Forum Newbie
As part of annual maintenance my neighbor replaced air, and fuel filters on his JD zero turn with a Kohler Command 25 HP.
Fresh fuel as well.
The engine starts immediately and accelerates well under no load. Any load, however, causes the engine to bog down and sputter/cough.
I changed the oil and oil filter for him thinking the hydraulic lifters may be gummed up.
This did not help.
What should we be looking for?
Thank you!
Eric
 
Hello E.,

Use a spray bottle with water and shoot a stream at each exhaust outlet. The one that burns off quickly is the working cylinder. The one that burns the water off slowly is not producing power.

A bad plug or a coil is not uncommon, but it can also mean a loss of compression (valve issue) or a stopped-up carburetor main jet for the weak side.

V-twin engines do not vibrate or shake when one cylinder quits working. That is because of the physical balance of the moving components.
 
Did the problem begin before he did the maintence, with him thinking the maintenance would stop it. Or did it start as a result of the maintenance? If he replaced the spark plugs and bought them online, there is a chance they are counterfeit and no good. If they are torch brand plugs, there is a chance they have gone bad. Or there was water in the fuel, debris in the tank and it is causing problems. One has to drain the tank and clean it, and not just add fresh fuel if that is the issue. Or add a fuel dryer if there is moisture in the fuel.
 
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