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Hi I have a wheelhorse c 165 mower and it hasn't started lately . I sprayed some gas in the the carburetor and it backfired and shot flames out the carburetor . Valves seem to be ok . Any help would be appreciated ..

Here is the manual for the K series.

Hope it helps. It sounds like an ignition problem to me. Check out Section 8.

http://www.powerproducts.co.za/technical/Kohler_Kseries_WorkshopManual.pdf

kemp1 said:

Hi I have a wheelhorse c 165 mower and it hasn't started lately . I sprayed some gas in the the carburetor and it backfired and shot flames out the carburetor . Valves seem to be ok . Any help would be appreciated ..

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the only 2 things that come to mind to make it back fire is timing (flywheel key ) or a valve not closing proper

That engine has points and condenser. The point gap sets the timing. I have found on that engine that the point plunger will wear down and the points wouldn't open to proper gap. This will cause the back firing.

Check the points,if you haven't serviced them in a while,just put New points in,set the gap and it'll probably fire right up.

If you replace the points then go ahead replace the condenser also. I always replace both at the same time.

The points are gapped right although I've never replaced them . A friend of mine thinks I should replace the carb.

kemp1 said:

The points are gapped right although I've never replaced them . A friend of mine thinks I should replace the carb.

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Don't just start replacing parts fix the problem. What would you say if you brought this into a repair shop and they just started to replacing parts till it was repaired.

Well, you might replace the plug first. Clean/re-adjust the points next, and check and adjust valves next.

Ok thanks everybody . I'm gonna start with the flywheel key and points tonight . I'll update later.

kemp1 said:

Ok thanks everybody . I'm gonna start with the flywheel key and points tonight . I'll update later.

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Don't mess with the flywheel!!!!! You will thank me later.....

Ditto what he said. .don't bother with the flywheel it's not the problem. .

Get a new plug on the way home tonight.

The spark plug is supposed to be a Champion H10C.

Yeah, lots of good techs have been embarrassed by the only problem being the sparkplug, always worth trying first.......

I've got a 14 HP K series, side shaft on my log splitter. I've worked on my friend's K series as well. One on his Wheel horse. 12 HP. The other on a big Ford LGT 14 HP. They are true work horses when they're running right, but I have cursed them as well on occasion. Bad condenser and bad points arcing could cause a backfire like that. I'd check for clean fuel in the carb, spray it out, then do the points and condenser at the same time. Check for fire with the spark plug, see if it's strong. New plug is a good idea too. I've seen plugs fire great outside the engine, but put them under compression and they'll fail. Those old Kohler "K" series are getting hard to find any more. I saw one Wheel Horse either 8 HP or 10 HP sell at an auction here in Knoxville, TN about a month ago for the unheard of price of $35 bucks plus 10% commision plus 9.75% local and state tax. I was going to bid on it but my friend couldn't keep his hand down, so I let him have it. More than likely I'll have to get it running for him. Coil allegedly out on it, but could be anything really. Good Luck.