Kohler pro 13 wont start

[44toroz]

Ive neglected this engine for over a year. Left about a gallon of fuel in it which when the float stuck on the carb leaked into the crankcase. I did not realize that i left fuel in it, so i fuel it up and it fired right up. It smoked alot ran for 5 seconds then died and would not restart. I figured it would be a gummed up carb so i pulled it off and cleaned it out. Still would not start. Out of habit I checked the oil which reeked of gas. I drained the oil from the engine and it was extremely thin almost like water. I then filled the engine with 20 w 50 oil figuring i would change the oil after i got it running to try to get all the fuel out. Long story short machine still will not start even with starter fluid. Ive pulled the plug and I have good spark. I then pulled the muffler of to see if there was any blockage. When i tried to start the machine without the muffler flames came out of exhaust port and the it backfired through the carb. It did these each time i tried to start it (over 10 times)

I'm wondering if this engine has hydraulic lifters that are being affected by the thin oil that was in the machine or the thick oil that i just put in it. Any help with this would be great.

[Restrorob]

The Kohler Pro 12 doesn't have hyd. lifters , Didn't see a 13 but if it does with all the cranking you say you did would re-prime them anyway. I believe what has happened is carbon build-up on top of the piston dried out from sitting so long and soon as you tried starting it popped loose and got stuck under the valves. I've seen this many many times, The fix is pull the head and decarbon head, piston and valves and make sure the valve seat areas are clean. Reassemble and it should pop right off if the carb. is ok.

[44toroz]

Should i replace the head gasket and what would you recommend for decarboning? Seafoam? Thank you for your reply and help you the man!

[44toroz]

Also according to kohlers website this motor does have hydraulic lifters if that changes anything.

[Restrorob]

Also according to kohlers website this motor does have hydraulic lifters if that changes anything.

I was not 100% sure on that because I only deal with the larger Kohlers.

That doesn't change anything, Because I feel you have turned the engine over enough to re-prime the lifters if that were the case. I use a small cup wire brush in my die grinder to decarbon, One in a electric drill will work just fine and yes you will need to replace the head gasket.

[44toroz]

I cleaned the valves using wire brush and a carb cleaner. Valve seats look good. I turned the engine over without valve cover a couple of times and got good oil flow and both valves opened. Buttoned everything up and try to fire it up and it runs for a couple of seconds and then dies. Then back to the same backfiring and flames out of the carb. Also visible smoke out of the carb. ??????????????? This thing is driving me up the wall! I think im going to tear the carb down again and see what happens. Thanks again.

[Restrorob]

Make sure you spray out ALL passages and the main jet Good, The description you gave before sounded too much like valves thats why I suggested that.

[hole in one lco]

sounds like timing to me

[44toroz]

I was thinking maybe timing too, but why after it ran perfect before it was stored.

[hole in one lco]

a tooth may have just broke

[Restrorob]

sounds like timing to me

Your right, It very well could be the timing, I put that on the back burner because nothing was mentioned about a problem before it was parked for a year. But anything is possible.

[44toroz]

After the most thorough carb cleaning i have ever done...... same thing. I'm reluctantly now ruling out fuel problems. So i guess my next step after fuel would be spark. Ive pulled the plug and grounded it out to the block and there seemed to be good spark. Should I test it with another method? Seems to have good compression. Timing? Why would it run good before it was stored? Am I missing something here? How would I go about testing timing on this engine? Also doesn't this engine have compression release during starting which could explain the back fire through the exhaust? Ive usually had good luck with fixing my own stuff but these larger kohlers seem to be my nemesis. Thanks again guys!

[Restrorob]

I wouldn't worry about timing just yet if it ran fine before being parked.
Do me a favor and post the model and spec. numbers off the engine so I can take a look at it.
Also what type of equipment is the engine on.

[44toroz]

I have a 32 Toro proline walk behind floating deck with electric clutch
model: CV13T
spec :PS 21524
serial:2910000351

I really appreciate the help.

[lawnmaniac883]

All carb linkages are connected properly? Is the governor rusted/corroded by any chance? No springs rusted through, etc? Just troubleshooting for now :waving:

[Restrorob]

OK try this, Put the little straw on your carb. cleaner run the throttle to the wide open position. Insert the straw into the carb. a little ways and leave it sticking in there, Give it a quick shot and have somebody else pull the rope and see if it fires off, If it does then stalls try it again but as it goes to stall give it another shot, Continue to give it quick shots to see if it will run on the carb. cleaner for about 5 or 10 seconds. If it does that eliminated everything mechanical and electrical and put you back to the carb., There are a couple passages inside that carb. that you can not get to for cleaning therefor a new carb. would be in order.

If it still won't start and run on the carb. cleaner for that short period of time and you do have spark across the plug as you said the next external thing to check would be the flywheel key. If thats ok then the cam timing would be next as "hole in one" said which would require engine removal from the unit and removing the pan or sump.

[44toroz]

I'm still confused as to why the backfiring. I have used starter fluid and carb cleaner to no avail still the same backfiring and everything. I'm going to try cleaning the governor and control linkages as they do have some grease and dirt buildup still seem to function fine though. I still think that it is weird to continuously get flame through the carb. Would this be caused by a lean or even rich fuel mixture or by timing. I had thought about the flywheel key but did not know how easy this is to get at and if I would need any special tools. I think that would explain my problem seems as if the plug is firing to early or late.

Thank you for the help!

[lawnmaniac883]

Flywheel key requires removal of the flywheel. The flywheel incase you didnt know is located on the top of the engine right under the grass screen. All you need to do is remove the engine shroud/cover and unbolt anything else that may be in the way. You will need to buy a new flywheel key and use a flywheel puller, preferably a 3 arm model. Once you pull off the flywheel, examine the key to see if it has been sheared off or not. If not then you just wasted 1 hour of your time lol. Good luck :waving:

[44toroz]

Lawnmaiac is see you live in Largo whereabouts? Also do I need to buy a Kohler $5 key or can I just go to Depot and get one?
Thanks guys.

[Restrorob]

Also do I need to buy a Kohler $5 key or can I just go to Depot and get one?

You need to purchase the proper key for your engine, Just any old key is not a good idea.

[kapena]

Did you open the fuel pump and inspect the check valves? They can get stuck shut from the varnish in old gas. A dull pencil will loosen them. I had to do this to my 8hp Kohler generator recently.