03 tiger cub with kawasaki 23 help please

[skooter94]

So after reading some other post I believe my problem may be the coils but I hate to spend the money on a maybe. Here is what it is doing. On cold starts it starts fine, then while running it will start to cut out. Turn the pto off and it clears up but seems like there is still slight hint of it not running right. Eventually it will clear up and I continue mowing. But when I get to another yard to mow it doesn't want to start. It cranks and cranks. I can smell gas and it sounds like it flooding out. I take the air cleaner hose off the carb and I can see fuel in there. I have cleaned the carb, check the gap in the plugs. Can anyone give any insight please? Thanks in advance.

 

[Mad Mackie]

Check out this link if your engine is a FH680V.
http://www.parish-supply.com/pdf/Kawasaki-FH541V-Service-Manual.pdf
Mad Mackie in CT

 

[skooter94]

I clicked the link on my phone and it went to a sevice manual. Is that right? Also the mower has 1150 hrs and I'm guessing the coils are original because they have the old part #. I have checked the wires to them, all in good shape. They are all routed good and everything.

 

[Mad Mackie]

Yes, a service manual for Kawasaki FH vertical engines.
Get the P/N of the coils and do a goggle search to see what comes up as for a P/N change and comments.
Mad Mackie in CT

 

[skooter94]

So I'm still not convinced it's the coil's. I have found something else I'm not sure about. I replaced the fuel line and in line filter.So now that I can see the fuel when it is running wide open there is a trickle of fuel going through the filter. When I idle it down it will fill up to 1/4 to 1/2 full. So now I'm wondering if that is my problem with it not starting when it's hot. My thought now it's maybe there's not enough fuel in the carb to restart. So maybe a new fuel pump? Anyone have any thoughts on that? Thanks

 

[skooter94]

Back to square one. I replaced the fuel pump and I am getting more fuel now but still doesn't want to start after it's warmed up. I am really fed up with this issue. I really don't want to waste the money on the coils if it's not going to fix it. I could really use some input.

 

[skooter94]

Has anyone messed with the fuel solenoid on the bottom of the carb?

 

[Mad Mackie]

A few more thoughts:
On one of the Kawasaki powered machines that I replaced coils on I had to go to the owners home, had him start mowing the lawn and when the engine quit I was able to trouble shoot the engine before it cooled off. It had no spark on both cylinders although the coils were still in spec for resistance readings. New coils and a smaller gap on the spark plugs per the info that came with the new coils made the engine run fine.
As for the fuel shutoff solenoid, I have found several that had silt like material around the plunger that was preventing it from full movement when energized.
With the addition of ethanol in our gasoline, I have found an increase in vapor lock problems with older machines and have had to relocate and or replace fuel lines to get them away from heat sources on the machine. I had to both replace the fuel lines and install a heat shield sleeve on one machine the setup of which didn't allow me any fuel line rerouting options.
Are the vents in the fuel caps clear?
Mad Mackie in CT:laughing::biggrin::smile:

 

[skooter94]

That's what's weird about it. It has never died. It's almost impossible to start after its hot.

 

[motoman]

Mackie, Have you found some coils boosted with capacitor / transistor? I did read somewhere some are. Hot failure is classic semiconductor failure. Next time maybe he should ice down both coils ( not joking here) since it is free. Ice them with a baggie for 5 min. and engine is hot. Do not hold on to the baggie-shock hazard). If result is good, may be coils.