Kohler starts "sputtering" when engaging mower blades

R

Rogers

Forum Newbie
I have a Kohler 24hp 7000 series KT-35 3070. The engine started running very rough with a little black and blue smoke all of a sudden. I can start it and it runs rough then I throttle down and it will smooth out. Throttle up still smooth at high RPM. I engage mower blades and rough again. Throttle down and it will smooth out.

I have replaced the gas no change, fuel filter, no help. Is there an electrical component I can try replacing? The blades turn easily by hand.
 
STOP buying new parts until you TEST what you have. Lecture concluded LOL. ;)

Pull the hose off AT the carb inlet. Key on or engine running if you have an impulse fuel pump, drain into a clear jar. Look for water in the bottom and a solid flow of gas coming out. As in no mistake gas is coming out. Small trickle is a red flag. Report back here. Carb is probably dirty as well. Valves never adjusted.........
 
Rogers said:
I have a Kohler 24hp 7000 series KT-35 3070. The engine started running very rough with a little black and blue smoke all of a sudden. I can start it and it runs rough then I throttle down and it will smooth out. Throttle up still smooth at high RPM. I engage mower blades and rough again. Throttle down and it will smooth out.

I have replaced the gas no change, fuel filter, no help. Is there an electrical component I can try replacing? The blades turn easily by hand.
Click to expand...
This favors a small piece of debris in the carburetor main jet blocking the fuel flow under load or at high RPM.

Also remove the fuel hoses and any fuel line pickup with an elbow, then blow through the fuel lines with shop air. I recently had one that had grass clippings caught up in the main fuel line and blocking fuel flow down to a dribble. The clipping came from the owner's fuel can that was left sitting open while he was mowing.

Worse case, the fuel tank will need to be removed a cleaned out and dried before reinstalling.

The number one problem with and mower equipment is often fuel related.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top