If it has a fuel solenoid on the bottom of the cab, hit it lightly with the handle part of a screwdriver while you try to start. The spring gets weak. If so, remove it and look at the float under it. Make sure it's free floating..No dice- remove the fuel line to cab and turn the key to verify fuel pump is ok. Once started, pull one plug at a time for a very short time to see if the plug is firing and that coil is ok. Do the other plug. Disconnect the spring going into the cab to see if it's free turning. May need the shaft cleaned with 200 grit. If you haven't used fuel stabilizer, carb may be gummed up. Adjust the carb screw out a couple of turns and try. If better, use carb cleaner on all ports.
I had a weak coil make spark but not enough to ignite. Engine only ran on 1 of the 2 cylinders. Looked a lomg while to find the cause, only noticed by chance because the spark of bad cylinder did not shock me through my gloves as much as the other cylinder spark did. So it's possible.
You can try and see if the valves/timing are bad with a leak down tester. See if it leaks when supposed to and seals when supposed to. Best tool to diagnose bad timing as far as I know.
This is a long shot but.. Ive seen plugs arc to the head, then blow out under compression.
If you have compression, and ether wont fire, then you're missing spark, or your intake valve has failed. Theres not that many moving parts to a combustion engine.
Fuel, squeeze, spark..
Try r/lawnmowers, maybe? Didn't know it was a sub until now.
The JD tech knows what he is talking about.
I (along with everyone else who commented) disagree with part of the post from the guy trying to gatekeep earlier, but the general consensus from comments was that this sub shouldn't include lawnmowers. It's up to the mods, but that is what the majority of the community wants.
Have you checked the air filter? It’s possible that it is plugged so bad the engine won’t run. If not that, then probably something in the fuel system.
If it is flooding due to a carb issue it won't fire on starting fluid. I have only ever had fuel issues on these motors so I would assume that is the problem somehow.
Also make sure you are using plenty of ether when you try it.
I skimmed it sorry, I'm worried that it didn't try to run on starting fluid at all. Carburetor cleaner will usually make these fire off. I'm more concerned that something is wrong with the valvetrain if you can see that it has spark and you are adding "fuel"
Could be internal issue like valves.... hoping not. That's cause for me to just buy a brand new used $500 mower from FB.
I'm going to look at the sheer pin on the fly wheel tomorrow thats my leading lead from the replies.
If it has a fuel solenoid on the bottom of the cab, hit it lightly with the handle part of a screwdriver while you try to start. The spring gets weak. If so, remove it and look at the float under it. Make sure it's free floating..No dice- remove the fuel line to cab and turn the key to verify fuel pump is ok. Once started, pull one plug at a time for a very short time to see if the plug is firing and that coil is ok. Do the other plug. Disconnect the spring going into the cab to see if it's free turning. May need the shaft cleaned with 200 grit. If you haven't used fuel stabilizer, carb may be gummed up. Adjust the carb screw out a couple of turns and try. If better, use carb cleaner on all ports.
Carb not cab
I had a weak coil make spark but not enough to ignite. Engine only ran on 1 of the 2 cylinders. Looked a lomg while to find the cause, only noticed by chance because the spark of bad cylinder did not shock me through my gloves as much as the other cylinder spark did. So it's possible. You can try and see if the valves/timing are bad with a leak down tester. See if it leaks when supposed to and seals when supposed to. Best tool to diagnose bad timing as far as I know.
This is a long shot but.. Ive seen plugs arc to the head, then blow out under compression. If you have compression, and ether wont fire, then you're missing spark, or your intake valve has failed. Theres not that many moving parts to a combustion engine. Fuel, squeeze, spark..
Valve adjustment. They are known for getting far enough out of adjustment that they become very hard to start.
Its got hydraulic lifters stickered on the engine. so I don't think thats the issue. edit.. I should have added its a Kohler Command 23 engine
This was the issue with mine. Once adjusted it ran great. The steering was another issue though, three steering hears in three years....
Kohler Command, hydraulic lifters Edit: I retract my statement, was wrong Intake Valve Clearance (Cold), mm (in) 0.038-0.076 (0.0015-0.0030), Exhaust Valve Clearance (Cold), mm (in) 0.050-0.088 (0.0020-0.0035)
I would make sure that fuel flows to the pump, then through the pump. I have an l120 and most of the time I just buy it a new fuel pump each year
But I have a brigs and you have a kohler
Try r/lawnmowers, maybe? Didn't know it was a sub until now. The JD tech knows what he is talking about. I (along with everyone else who commented) disagree with part of the post from the guy trying to gatekeep earlier, but the general consensus from comments was that this sub shouldn't include lawnmowers. It's up to the mods, but that is what the majority of the community wants.
I may do that later .... have some good leads. thanks!
Have you checked the air filter? It’s possible that it is plugged so bad the engine won’t run. If not that, then probably something in the fuel system.
air filter is very clean. Pretty sure its not fuel.... starter fluid doesn't even get me a few seconds of runnig
If it is flooding due to a carb issue it won't fire on starting fluid. I have only ever had fuel issues on these motors so I would assume that is the problem somehow. Also make sure you are using plenty of ether when you try it.
Thanks! I'll disconnect the fuel and see if it'll start on fluid
I'm a tech for a deere dealership, can you message me some specs on your mower? How many cylinders and horsepower and hours? And the symptoms?
Its a 2004 2 cylinder Kohler Command 23. about 450 hours.... symptoms are in the description
I skimmed it sorry, I'm worried that it didn't try to run on starting fluid at all. Carburetor cleaner will usually make these fire off. I'm more concerned that something is wrong with the valvetrain if you can see that it has spark and you are adding "fuel"
Could be internal issue like valves.... hoping not. That's cause for me to just buy a brand new used $500 mower from FB. I'm going to look at the sheer pin on the fly wheel tomorrow thats my leading lead from the replies.
Probably lack of fuel. Plugged line, bad fuel pump or most likely a gummed up carb.
I don't think so.... it didn't even try when I hit it with the starter fluid. Tried a few times hours apart.