kholer courage 23 very hard to start cold ok warm

[Gord Baker]

I was skeptical but tried Sea Foam on a neighbours Kohler with similar starting problems.
Cleaned carb, blew back fuel line, checked fuel lines, new plug. I emptied the tank, (drain equipped) added 1 qt of fresh fuel and a shot glass full of Sea Foam. Ran it for 10 minutes (to get combo in carb) and let it sit for 3 day. Started 2nd crank over. I was truly amazed.

 

[Freddie21]

All fuel suggestions don't seem to apply as he said starting fluid did not help. I have cured many hard starting with a new set of good branded spark plugs.

 

[yvon]

Thanks all for all the help and suggestions.

I did put sea foam in the fall as fuel preservative/conditionner, I also had good experience with the product, did not work for my issue.

I have very good sparks on both sparkplugs.

I have recheck my valves clearance and found them 3 of them a bit loose( .007-.008) instead of the .004-006,(I have no idea if these engine are very finiky) I have readjusted, waiting for the fuel pump vacum hose to reinstal the right cover, will update.

Note: My battery load test is within the spec, but it definitely start better if I Iboost with another battery ( spinning faster).

will update.

 

[slomo]

I did put sea foam in the fall as fuel preservative/conditionner, I also had good experience with the product, did not work for my issue.

I "was" a Seafoam fanboy long time ago. Notice only thing it was doing was making a smoke show. Didn't work for me either.

I have recheck my valves clearance and found them 3 of them a bit loose( .007-.008) instead of the .004-006,(I have no idea if these engine are very finiky) I have readjusted,

Always rotate and recheck the engine after a valve adjustment. Rotate it several times and recheck. Amazing how you thought was all good an it isn't/wasn't.

Note: My battery load test is within the spec, but it definitely start better if I Iboost with another battery ( spinning faster).

Test with a carbon pile battery tester. Those new style resistance checking units are misleading and not as accurate as the carbon pile types.

 

[yvon]

I check the battery with both a toaster type and a electronic type and both indicate good battery ( not excelent).

I am installing a new lithium with much greater cca capacity will see how it goes,( I have a use for the battery on another unit that need a better batterie.)

 

[slomo]

I check the battery with both a toaster type and a electronic type and both indicate good battery ( not excelent).

Again best way is a carbon pile tester. Use what you like. Toaster types only produce about 50-100 amp load if that.