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The underpowered model
http://www.scag.com/OpManuals/SSZ/95SSZOPMAN/95SSZOPMANcomplete.pdf

Does any one know where the oil sensor is?
The nanual shows it tucked arey insife the declivity by the oil level dip stick port.
http://www.kohlerengines.com/onlinecatalog/pdf/52_590_03.pdf
Page 4

However I can not find the sensor there.

The oil drain is on the other side of the engine from the n manual's description and drains down through a plate steel engine mount VIA a plumbing Ell
The oil filter is outboard on an angle bracket unlike the manual's photo.

I simply can not find it. I've run my hand all around the base of the engine where one might be and can't find a wire ore the sensor.

Yet I know I have one because there is a sender unit somewhere that kills the spark when the oil is too low or too high or too hot and runny.

Anyone know where it was hidden?

This is my mower

As said in your other thread not all Magnums have an oil sensor. If you do have one it will either be installed on the right side of the bracket for the oil filter hoses or behind the oil dipstick tube. I'm suspecting that with the remote filter, you probably don't have one.

I like your "you probably don't have one" solution except that the facts are:
1.) When the oil is too high I get no spark.
2.) When the oil is too low I get no spark.

Now what would do that except some kind of level sensor? While I'm wildly open to any suggestions, eager and desirous of suggestions even - - - I'm stuck with the conclusion that there is a sensor - somewhere.


And of course it seems that no matter what oil I use I am getting no spark after the engine is good and hot like after 30 minutes of mowing.

I have hanged the oil this season to use 20 - 40 sae, then drained it and put straight 30 weight in and even tried 20 - 50 .
I am still getting shut down when it's hot. The oil is runny as hell and splashes up the dipstick.

I have never seen a oil level sensor on a Kohler. They use a pressure sensor screwed into the oil filter mount, Sounds more like a ignition module going loopy after it gets hot. Maybe a safety switch shorting out someplace, or an intermittent bad connection that just happens to correspond with the oil being too high or too low.

RaulMcCai said:

I like your "you probably don't have one" solution except that the facts are:
1.) When the oil is too high I get no spark.
2.) When the oil is too low I get no spark.

Now what would do that except some kind of level sensor? While I'm wildly open to any suggestions, eager and desirous of suggestions even - - - I'm stuck with the conclusion that there is a sensor - somewhere.


And of course it seems that no matter what oil I use I am getting no spark after the engine is good and hot like after 30 minutes of mowing.

I have hanged the oil this season to use 20 - 40 sae, then drained it and put straight 30 weight in and even tried 20 - 50 .
I am still getting shut down when it's hot. The oil is runny as hell and splashes up the dipstick.

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Why does the oil get so high...?
Why is the oil so runny...?
why is it splashing up the dipstick..?
And is that oil on the cover just below the carb on the photo...?
And does it smoke when its running...?

EngineMan said:

Why does the oil get so high...?

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Because the Doofus with the oil can over poured.

Why is the oil so runny...?

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It's the store brand from the Advance Autoparts - - think that's the reason?

why is it splashing up the dipstick..?

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I'd guess because it's so runny.
My crankcase camera is on the frammitz so I don't have a video of what's happening in there.

And is that oil on the cover just below the carb on the photo...?

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If it is, it's from me being sloppy.
The way I remove oil without draining it is VIA a large poly syringe and some vinyl tubing.
I remove oil when the doofus with the oil can over-pours. Also when I'm trying to add a heavier oil to see if a little heavier stuff solves the problem.

And does it smoke when its running...?

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Not a smidgeon not a bit.

Starts right up when cold.

Follow your wiring harness, if you have an in lone sensor, it connects to the harness. I'm of the notion you have an ignition break down from your coils, not a sensor.

I'm of the notion you have an ignition break down from your coils, not a sensor.

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It's got an electronic ignition. So I'm unsure what that might look like.

RaulMcCai said:

It's got an electronic ignition. So I'm unsure what that might look like.

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I think he is refering the the electronic ignition module located under the blower housing. some people refer to them as coils. Some of the old K series engines had a coil similar to the oil auto coils, and is a very similar engine to the Magnum engine.

is there an easy way to test it or does one just replace them when they are suspect?

Here on pages ST 11 and 12 are the electrical . What part is it that you call the ignition module?
http://www.scag.com/OpManuals/SSZ/93SSZIPL/T-09.pdf



on this one it is pages 24 and 25
http://www.scag.com/OpManuals/SSZ/93SSZOPMAN/93SSZOPMANcomplete01172.pdf

I am getting them here:
http://www.scag.com/OpManuals/SSZ/SSZOPMANTOC.html

First make sure you have a known good spark plug. then unplug the kill wire going to the module, and crank the engine. If no spark then replace the module. If you have spark, then the problem is someplace within the wiring harness, like short, bare wire rubbing frame, bad safety switch, etc.

ILENGINE said:

First make sure you have a known good spark plug. then unplug the kill wire going to the module, and crank the engine. If no spark then replace the module. If you have spark, then the problem is someplace within the wiring harness, like short, bare wire rubbing frame, bad safety switch, etc.

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OK Great what does the module look like or rather where is it in the shematic?

Interestingly I wrote to Kohler and gave them the model and serial number off my engine
As you might guess serial numbers are very specific data so it would lead directly to my exact engine, the one in my driveway.

This is the reply from Kohler:

Good Morning Raul,

The oil sensor should be in between the cylinder heads.

Thank you,
[name omitted]

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Ok Kohler says it's between the cylinders. Odd how none of the manuals show this.
Anyway I need to figure out what that actually means. Might it be under a shroud?




Also on planet bizzarro I wrote to Scag and they said this:

Good Morning Mr. Raul,

Thank you for contacting us with your question.

The Kohler engines that we installed on SSZ mowers were not equipped with the optional oil sensor.

I hope that this information will be helpful.
Thank you,
[name omitted]
Assistant Technical Service Manager
Scag Power Equipment

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So I wrote him back asking this"

Thank you [name omitted], for the prompt reply.

If there is no oil sensor what would explain a no spark condition when the oil is low or too high?
Also what would explain a no spark condition when the engine is hot after say 30 - 40 , minutes of mowing?
please advise

thanks
Raul

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And his reply is this:

Good Morning,

These are both very difficult questions to answer without being able to personally inspect your mower.

A no-spark condition when the engine is hot may suggest a problem with one of the engine ignition components.

There is nothing on the mower as it was originally built that will drop the spark due to a high or low oil level in the engine.

I might suggest that you ask your local dealer to check into this for you.

All the best,
[name omitted]
Assistant Technical Service Manager
Scag Power Equipment

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So I shall be looking for the senor between the pistons and go after the ignition module.
But I still need to figure out what the module looks like and to locate it.

You will need to remove the blower housing to access the ignition module. It is located next to the flywheel and has the spark plug wire attached to it.

thanks, I'll pull it off Sunday.
Gott a be cheaper to order a new one than to pay some one to haul it off and do it for me.

OMG Electronic ignition?
What a laugh. That is a magneto. Different geometry but the same technology that has been on small engines for ever. I had magnetos on my 1968 Triumph Tiger.

The thing says it wants to be 0.010 from the flywheel. I got exactly that thickness in roofing flashing installed the new one and away I went.

Tomorrow or monday I'll run it on a three acre stretch and see if it cuts out.

Thanh you guys for your input and thank you ILENGINE. You nailed it~!!
It was the magneto coil.
After replacing it, I ran the thing today for an extended period and she ran like a top.

Milli milli grazi ~!!