Trailblazer 301G Kohler issue

[MAC702]

This issue might be my fault, but I'd like some advice from the more experienced before I start taking more parts off the engine.

My TB has been at my dad's shop for the 6 months that I was in Colombia, and he would make sure to start it every week, sometimes even weld with it a little. But perhaps this wasn't enough to keep fresh gasoline in the tank. How big an issue is this with these machines? Don't get me started on why our government decides it's such a good idea to add unstable additives to a stable product that use to work just fine.

So last week the machine was working absolutely fine one day and then the very next day it's missing on one cylinder. I pulled the spark plugs, but they are original, and have all 75 of the machine's hours on them, so I couldn't really tell the difference. I bought new plugs and let it run for a few minutes, still missing. Now I can clearly see that one plug got hot and dry and the other plug just got fouled. So I know which cylinder ain't firing. I grounded both plugs to the frame and verified they both spark. This time when I put the plugs back in it seems to run fine. I can definitely tell that the exhaust and noise have increased to normal, and it will run and idle again. So I start to think that maybe it's been weird but is working again. Except that as soon as you strike an arc, it stalls.

Is it a valve issue? That's the next avenue I plan to pursue. Any other ideas?

[imported_frank865]

Sounds like you may have a valve sticking...Check the thread from last Thursday about the Onan issue...Pretty much the same scenario.
Some miracle sludge (Risilone, Kano Kreen, Bhardol, ect.) may help, without having to do a tear-down, it's worth trying

[Laiky]

another possibility is varnish or sediment in the carbs. (i'm assuming its carburated?) small displacement engines have very small jets in the carbs. A thin coat of varnish or particle of dirt will cause a seriously lean condition that will result in a lean missfire (possibly fouling plugs), and loss of power. The exhaust pipe on that cylinder might glow when run under load. When i used to store my bike i would put a few ounces of carb/FI cleaner in the tank then run it and top off with fresh fuel. On several occasions my headers would glow until i put the gumout in. Fine 10 min later.

[Coalsmoke]

Doesn't the kohler burn the fuel up in the carb before shutdown? I heard someone on hear say that once, said something about it acting as a high-idle and running the engine out of fuel. My new Kohler doesn't seem to do this, but maybe your older one does.

[MAC702]

Issue discovered. Machine is three years old, but only 75 hours. Kohler's warranty was only for two years.

A screw that holds the rocker arm on became loose and caused the pushrod to break in half. Ain't no miracle sludge for this, fellas, but thank you for the wonderful ideas; I think I'll go ahead and keep the stuff I bought anyway for GP.

Anyone know a good spot to buy parts for Kohler? I'm getting ready to let my fingers do the walking right after I send y'all this update.

[MAC702]

www.kohlerengineparts.com
1-888-652-3990

Write those down and save them. This guy deserves your business. A one-man operation. I had to call twice just to get through cause he's the only one answering the phone, but it was WAY worth it!! The guy that answers the phone actually knows what the parts are and can even talk about repair procedures. AND the parts are OEM, too.

Pushrod $1.80 Shipping $2.00 Back in business: priceless.

[J hall]

Sometimes something happens that renews your faith in the species :D
Good to hear you're going again.

[DDA52]

Cool. At least you found the trouble. Now you can fix it. :D

[timw]

As for the age of the gas, I have a boat that I use for offshore fishing. I only go in the summer when the King Mackerel are running. It has a 350 Chevy/ 260 hp Mercruiser and a 55 gallon tank. I only use about 20 gallons on a trip. I always fill it up before I go so after the last trip I still have about 35 gallons left. I always leave it in the boat and just top it off and use it the next season. I've been doing this for ten years now. I always start it up and check or change the water seperator filter but that's all.
Water/condensation is a problem with small gas engines too. I'm a Honda Small Engine Dealer and if I wasn't honest I could make a lot of money from customers with water in their gas. Here in Florida we have a problem with condensation and they always shake the last drop out of the gas can which is where the water collects. A little Bee-Be of water will stop up the carb jet and make it run like crap or not at all. tim

[moe1942]

Any engine used ocassionally should have Sta-Bil in the gas. It will prevent gumming and deterioration for up to two years. One gummed up carb will make a beliver of anyone.

The late model Kohlers have a solenoid operated shut off valve in the carb. When the switch is turned off the valve closes. The carb bowl is full of fuel at that time. Another reason to use Sta-Bil. I don't sell it, just use it. :)