Kawasaki Trouble, Kohler Reliable

[Albemarle Lawn]

I have the following Kawasakis:

6.75HP, 14HP, (2) 17HP's, and 25HP all vert-shaft and bought new within last couple years.

Have logged total of about 2100 hours on all of these combined.

PROBLEMS: 4 carburetors, 1 electric starter, 1 recoil starter, 1 engine ignition coil, 1 dropped valve.


I have the following Kohlers:

6.0HP, 13HP, (2) 25HP's. 6.0 is Horiz shaft, others Vert.

Have logged total about 3500 hours on all of these combined.

PROBLEMS: NONE. Not even a hiccupp out of one of these.


The Kawasaki's run deceptively smooth, and they have a lot of power so it is easy to beleive they are better. But it has been my Kohlers that have been MUCH MUCH cheaper to operate based on my repair history.

Ken

[Eng Mwr Guy]

Do you change the oil? How often do you check the air cleaner?

Which particular engine has been the biggest problem?

I have heard of similar problems from others on Kohlers and Briggs.

I like to help if given a chance. If you are uncomfortable talking with me I can possibly get Kawasaki America on the line to talk with you.

Let me know.

Barry
Gravely Guy

[Mowingman]

I have been running JD 21" mowers with 6hp Kawasaki engines for several years and have had a lot of trouble with the carbs. When they run right, they have lots of lugging power and are very smooth and quiet. After about 1 season of use, I start having trouble with the carbs. I heard they are very troublesome if the least little bit of dirt gets in the carb., so I put inline fuel filters on each mower. That did not help at all. To keep them running, I have been disassemblying the fuel systems and cleaning them about every two months, which is a pain in the butt. No more kawasakis for me. I am going to try some Ariens/ Gravely 21" mowers with the Robins eng. next season.
Kawi. parts are really expensive here also.:angry:

[Eric ELM]

I have one Kaw engine on my 21" JD. The starter went out on it with in the first year which JD replaced. It lasted until the warranty ran out and then it went out again. I decided to just put one on myself and went to pick it up and it was $190 cash and carry. :(

I decided to pull start it no more than I use that thing.

I've had 3 Kohler engines that I have put a total of just under 9,000 hours on them and I've never replaced a starter, but I did have to replace the carb at 3,600 hours on the one I still have. It will have around 3,800 hours on it by the end of the season and still runs great.

Some really put down the Kohlers, but I've had great luck with them. Other than the starter on the Kaw, it's been a good engine too, but it probably doesn't have even 200 hours on it in 5 years.

[geogunn]

I have run a used kaw 14 for the last 5 years with no problems but a broken starter rope and 2 or 3 ignition modules. with the modules, I'm not sure they were bad. coudda been flooded or a funkey neutral switch or both together at the same time.

sorry for you guys trouble.

I wonder why 4 carburators...?

and what is a recoil starter? is that the rope or what?

electric starters are a pain and worse when the battery goes out.

I wouldn't blame you guys for going kohler.

GEO

[Albemarle Lawn]

I agree, Eric. I think Kohler is unfairly put down. Yes there are many "Bad-Apple" Kohler 25's in circulation, but my Kohler 25's have been good motors. It was mainly the early 25's built before mid 1998 that were troublesome from what I have read. Even though they also make faucets and get bashed, most of the motors are good.

Ken

[Albemarle Lawn]

The carbs have all been on brand new or low hour machines. (On the 6.75 HP John Deere 21" push mower and on the 25 HP.

The recoil was the recoil on my FC420V John Deere. The recoil, not the rope. And the coil was also on that machine at about 350 hours.

Ken

[geogunn]

Originally posted by Albemarle Lawn
The carbs have all been on brand new or low hour machines. (On the 6.75 HP John Deere 21" push mower and on the 25 HP.

The recoil was the recoil on my FC420V John Deere. The recoil, not the rope. And the coil was also on that machine at about 350 hours.

Ken

ken--what in the cat hair is going on with those carbs? how do you mess up a carb? I'm not saying you messed it up just I don't understand.

I assume you must mean the guts of the recoil starter went out.:(

that's the same motor I got, I think! where's the coil located? I don't want to go uncover the mower tonight to look for it!

GEO

[65hoss]

Kawi will NOT admit they have any carb problems, but they DO. Carb problem with my 12.5 kawi. Of course, kawi insist they don't have problems and wouldn't warrenty it. My 23 kawi carb is not great, but runs fair. If you take the air cleaner off and look in it, it always has a puddle in the bottom. My 14 kawi has been the best of all them. But, the recoil starter rope (yes Geo, starter rope) has broken many times. Something inside the opening that rubs the ropes and wears them out. All these motors run good and make good power, but all my kohlers have been better by far from day 1. I have a kohler on a troybuilt tiller that was bought new in '82. Carb needs to be rebuilt now, but nothing has ever been done to it. My dad and I plowed gardens for people commercially for years in the spring. If I had it to do over again, I would have bought all my exmarks with kohlers instead of kawis.

Barry, exmark got me in touch with kawi america, and they suck. They think they have the best product out there and that it never has problems. They will fight tooth and nail to keep from warrenty anything. 3 dealerships in my area said the same thing. So did someone else, but I better not mention them;)

Getting parts for the kawi is nearly impossible, and when they arrive they may not be manufactured exactly right. If a kawi goes down, you might be down for a while.

[strickdad]

Originally posted by Albemarle Lawn
I have the following Kawasakis:

6.75HP, 14HP, (2) 17HP's, and 25HP all vert-shaft and bought new within last couple years.

Have logged total of about 2100 hours on all of these combined.

PROBLEMS: 4 carburetors, 1 electric starter, 1 recoil starter, 1 engine ignition coil, 1 dropped valve.


I have the following Kohlers:

6.0HP, 13HP, (2) 25HP's. 6.0 is Horiz shaft, others Vert.

Have logged total about 3500 hours on all of these combined.

PROBLEMS: NONE. Not even a hiccupp out of one of these.


The Kawasaki's run deceptively smooth, and they have a lot of power so it is easy to beleive they are better. But it has been my Kohlers that have been MUCH MUCH cheaper to operate based on my repair history.

Ken how can a smooth running engine be deceptive??

[VnDrWLawnCare]

I think i am experiencing some of the many kawi problems. I got a 17 hp that i think has been into lesco more than out cutting grass. I have had two throttle cables replaced because they melt and get stuck when they make contact with the muffler. I had to have my ohv gaskets replaced because they were leaking( not to long after i purchased). I also had to have a different air intake thing put on that sits behind the air filter so it would direct the oil back into the engine. Sorry i am not real knowledgeable about this. And finally i took it into them again to day to so they could find out why it smokes every time i start it up. This is why they put a kit on to push the oil back into the engine. ( like i mentioned earlier) Didnt work. So now whether i choke it or not it will sometimes smoke, sometimes not but also drips oil out of the muffler onto the decklid. They say a little smoke is to reset the governor but i think that is rediculous. Pulling a rather new mower off a trailer in front of a customer with the machine smoking like a smoke stack probably makes the customer think what a piece of sh** that mower is that he cuts my yard with. I dont think it should smoke at all. The kohlers i have ran have never smoked. Any suggestions on what it could be. Anyone else have this problem with oil dripping out of the muffler?
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks
Eric::confused:

[BOTURF]

I have 2 mowers now with kaw engines . They seem ok but on 17 horse they have had to replace coils and starter rope, this machine has only 890 hrs on it as far a the smoking goes when you start it up mine used to do the same till i started letting it sit at a idle for about a min or 2 to cool down before shutting it off.This seemed to do the trick so it seldoms smokes on start up now as the only time si when i forget and shut it right off.

[Richard Martin]

VnDrWLawnCare wrote:
..............................
Any suggestions on what it could be. Anyone else have this problem with oil dripping out of the muffler?
..............................

This can be caused by a couple of things and they are operator error.

1: Too much oil in the engine. When an engine sits with too much oil in it the oil can seep by the piston rings. When you start the engine up the oil in the cylinder is burned off. When you fill the oil make sure the engine is level from side to side and front to back.

2: Letting the engine sit with the cylinder pointed down or with the valves pointed down. You get the same effect as number 1 above in this situation. Make sure when you park the mower that the cylinder is pointed up. This includes when you are transporting the mower on your trailer.

[tranum]

i have 22 l/c kawasaki. valve cover gskts leaked, front main oil seal leaked, & coolant leak @ water pump mounting gskts. all between 1300 & 1400 hrs. not too bad imo.

[Eng Mwr Guy]

Keep the complaints coming please. I am forwarding them to Kawasaki for feedback. They are paying attention.

Course when you buy 3-5 million dollars of engines a year they fricken better respond.

Thank You.

Barry
Gravely Guy

[whitleys]

Whew! When I bought my Snapper a few weeks ago, I was disappointed it had a Kohler rather than a Kaw. Man... I feel very fortunate now!:)

[CandJ]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by VnDrWLawnCare
[B]I think i am experiencing some of the many kawi problems. I got a 17 hp that i think has been into lesco more than out cutting grass. I have had two throttle cables replaced because they melt and get stuck when they make contact with the muffler. I had to have my ohv gaskets replaced because they were leaking( not to long after i purchased). I also had to have a different air intake thing put on that sits behind the air filter so it would direct the oil back into the engine. Sorry i am not real knowledgeable about this. And finally i took it into them again to day to so they could find out why it smokes every time i start it up. This is why they put a kit on to push the oil back into the engine. ( like i mentioned earlier) Didnt work. So now whether i choke it or not it will sometimes smoke, sometimes not but also drips oil out of the muffler onto the decklid. They say a little smoke is to reset the governor but i think that is rediculous.

I think I have your engines' twin. Same problems with only 375 hours. I'd never purchase another Kaw again.

[mowingmachine]

I was told that you should always shut your gas off on a Kawi when on a trailer. I guess they are really hard to start if you don't. I doubt that would ruin a carburetor but I just thought I would put my two cents in.

mowingmachine

[Lawn Dog2001]

I too have had some minor problems with the two 15hp Kaw engines on my Metros. The chokes on both machines worked theyre way out of adjustment at about the exact same time. I took them back to the dealer for adjustment a couple of months ago, now they are getting to need adjustment again. Plus I also had to replace the starter rope on each machine already. Other than that though I have been happy with the way the engine runs. Those minor problems would not stop me from buying another Kaw. Heck, I have come to expect some minor complications from almost any product used in this line of work. By the way both machines are new this year and have about 1000 hours on each.

[Grassman]

I have 3Kaws, 2 121/2's and a 23hp. All I have ever done with the 121/2's is replace the starter ropes. One is 13yrs old with around 5000hrs, the other 4yrs and about 2000. The 23hp is less than a yr old and trouble free too. I love Kaw's and find it strange so many of you have so many problems and question your maintenance procedures and schedules. Good luck anyway, Russ

[Shawn Burns]

My brother and i both have Hustler Z's with the kawi FH680V 23 hp engine. I hate mine, and he dosen't think much better of his!
It's not the mower, just the engine. I don't know why Hustler dosen't give the option of a kohler. The only way to engauge blades is wide open, anything less and mower falls on its face! It's been to the shop twice so far, they tell me it's fixed, i go pick it up, get to the next job, and same thing... over and over. Once work slows a little i will see if we can't get this problem resolved for good!!

By the way, the mower runs great after you finally get the blades turning!!!

[TLS]

Shawn,

Your problem is nothing to do with the engine, and more to do with your electric clutch and stiffness of the belts. Kawi's do tend to need more choke when first fired up in the morning. If anything it shows that the Kawi's have the torque curve where it should be, up high where you need it. Not down low like the Kohlers. Also, Kawi's seem to have a lighter flywheel than Kohlers which would lend it to struggle more at engagement.

My old JD F-935 used to stall unless I warmed it up before engaging the electric clutch. And that was a torquey Yanmar diesel.

[Kent Lawns]

Kawasaki has been resting on it's laurels.

Kohler has worked their butt off to improve their tarnished reputation.

Kohler is back and really have been since 1999 or 2000. Now it's starting to get the reputation Kawasaki used to have. Kawasaki flaws are starting to glare.

I know Kawasaki's are cheaper, but we cannot afford the downtime.

I too, am DONE with Kawasaki until their get their act together.

[Albemarle Lawn]

Seems like a Kawasaki option costs more than Kohler? (25 HP for example on a ZTR).

K.B.

[Kent Lawns]

They're about $200 cheaper in the 19-25hp range.

(From the 2 dealers I work with.)

Unfortunately that's what I found out: We replaced 3 Kawasaki's this summer- all under 1200 hours. (No, it's not maintenance, we never had a Kohler fail before 2500)

Perhaps the cheaper Kawasaki was related to their failure, I don't know, but it was on 2 different makes of mowers at 2 different dealers, both had Kawasaki's cheaper.

Doesn't matter to me if they were HALF they money, they last HALF as long a Kohler and forum members here can PROVE that!

[Shawn Burns]

TLS,
I'm not sure about the clutch, but the mower stalls about 90% of the time when turning on the blades, and it dosen't matter if it's hot or cold. The guys at the shop tell me it's because the kawi's run soo lean to pass emissions. If you're not familier with the Hustler setup, the throttle and the choke are on the same cable, not a good idea if you ask me. I have been told to close the choke a little when engauging the blades, but i should not have to do all that! The Hustler owners manual specifically tells me to start blades at approx. half throttle to save clutch life. I wonder if Hustler or Kawi will pay for clutch when it does go out after warrenty on account of not being able to start blades when they recommend because of their problem?
BTW... this is after the second carb. on this machine!

[TurfsUpLawnCare]

I had to replace my 17 hp kaw at 22 hours. Somebody forgot to drill out the oil ports in the top of the motor. Th4e starter keeps coming loose. It also sounds like a gun blast when i shut it down. Ihope they figure this stuff out. Or i will be going back to onan motors

[Rodney Johns]

I remember when deere and a couple others really started putting out these Kaw engines in everything. The repairs we saw locally and at the other service place in town went crazy. I have witnessed carb problems to piston problems. I actually steer away from brands we sell if they even feature Kaw enigines. Now I hear they are making engines for other companies. To bad for them, we ceratainly we won't be selling any here.

[TLS]

Shawn,

Talk to your Hustler dealer, or talk to the Hustler Factory rep in this forum. That size engine NEEDs a seperate choke. On my 27 Kawi, I have to run (especially this time of year) 1/4 choke until its warmed up. With a seperate choke you can do this. It is up to the manufacturer to spec out a seperate choke.

Why all of a sudden is there this negativity toward Kawasaki engines? Could it be the 9-11 attacks making us feel more loyal to Kohler (USA). Or are there really serious problems with them? The stalling problem is not a engine related problem IMHO, rather a mower manufacturers design problem. If fit and finish, idle quality, smoothness running, and build quality have nothing to do with longevity then I dont know what does. My dealer is still recovering from the Kohler Headgasket/smartspark disaster. Yes they were warranty, but paid very poorly.

The perfect lawnmower engine hasn't been built yet!

[strickdad]

boy this is getting good!! kinda like who is better ford or chevy? oops, opened up a whole nother can o worms.

[Kent Lawns]

Yeah, kinda like comparing a Dixon to a Dixie Chopper.
Or a Encore to and Exmark.

Some engines are better than others and when earning my LIVING working with them, I want the BEST.

[VnDrWLawnCare]

They finally decided to do something with it. This is in response to my last post. Called Lesco up and they said that they ran the serial number on my engine with kawi, and ...
Well, they said the the cylinders were bored out to large and the pistons and rings were then too small causing blow back in the engine. Therefore causing all of my oil problems. So they are going to have to replace the pistons, rings, and everything else inside the engine. They might as well just give me a new one. So anyways i thought i would let you know the good news to me at least. What to you guys think about this? Good things that they are replacing all of this, or bad. Should i try to get some type of warranty on this work they are performing? Or should i go for a new engine, by pulling some strings? Just curious to see what you have to say. Thanks
Eric:)

[Shawn Burns]

I would request ( profoundly) a new engine. After all this work who knows how it will hold up? It would be different with a machine that had thousands of hours on it.

[Albemarle Lawn]

F###-A-Vagina?????

[Albemarle Lawn]

Ladies and Gentlemen,

A Kawasaki rep. called me after Gravely Engineer Barry Adamski noticed this thread and tipped of Kawasaki of all the troubles I have had, esp with my new Kawasaki 25.

Thanks too to Chuck Keogh as Lawsite is MAKING A DIFFERENCE!!

...and...my dealer fixed the new mower quickly by, you guessed it, replacing another Carburetor. I'll post again if it breaks again.

Ken

[Shawn Burns]

Albemarle Lawn,
I've been hearing that for years!! It comes from the combining of the townships of Fuquay Springs and Varina into one town in the early 1900's to make one of the biggest tobacco markets in the south. Needless to say it aint no big marketplace anymore, not with tobacco crashing like it is. Now its just a town! Just a little history for you.

Shawn Burns


B.T.W. good to hear that kawi is gonna help you.

[John DiMartino]

Ken,its nice to see Kawi is trying,I had a Kohler rep read my post last year,he told me they would make it right,on lawnsite,but never returned my E-mails or did anything about it.

[1grnlwn]

VnDrWLawnCare

You mean your not transporting your walk behind upside down, or on its side? My Kaw 17 LESCO WB smokes sometimes when I start it on level ground with the proper amount of oil. I usually shut it down , restart and it usually stops smoking. My 25 Kaw sometimes does the same thing. :cool:

[Eng Mwr Guy]

I like having amunition to get the best service (and of course pricing) from my vendors. I think overall Kawasaki is a good engine. The vendors (esp Japanese) just need some humble pie from time-to-time. Keep the problems coming as I can possibly help all of you with proper feedback to the manufacturer of the engines.

Barry
Gravely Guy

Gravely: Serving the LCO community since 1915

[KDJ]

I always thought that Kawasaki was the way to go?

Does Kohler still have oil pressure and lifter problems?

I have a Kawasaki 14 hp haven't had it all that long but it seems to be a great motor.

[g888642]

I have a 19 HP Kawa on a Great Dane..........Motor seems to be fine now............Blowed a hole as big as your fist in block at 3 hrs. Kawa put a new engine on then..... I have 300 hrs on it now and it seems fine It does smoke some on start up but no oil .....Lite colored smoke as in gas smpke. I may try the let it cool down thing. Probably should anyway.....

[GrassChopper]

I have a Kaw 17 on a Howard price wb with over 2500 hours on it. The gasket leaks, but the engine has never had a problem.

I have a Kaw 17 on my lesco 36" wb, never had a problem.

I have a Kaw 17 on my 36" Wright Stander, never had a problem.

I have a Kaw 17 on my 48" Wright Stander, never had a problem.

The Wrights are new this year, but the Howard Price is old and the Lesco was bought in 81, no engine work on it yet. I don't know why you guys are having problems with your Kaws, but kep me informed, maybe your problems will give me ammunition if I do have any problems.

[VnDrWLawnCare]

It sits level everywhere i take it. Since i haul it in the rear of a econoline van level is the only way to transport it. And to some that say replace the engine( or at least kawi should for free) Well i called lesco back today and he said that they never replace engines, they always repair them. So i asked warranty.. well it is a 90 day parts and labor. At this point i am not feeling real good. I think i will use it for the remainder of the season and then look for something else. I dont know if i want to take my chances with a motor rebuilt by a mechanic i am unsure of. What they are fixing is the whole powerhouse of my machine, without it i am screwed. What do you guys think. Do you think it will hold up for years to come, or should i sell it because it probably has a possibility of breaking down or something even worse going wrong? Thanks
Eric

[Eng Mwr Guy]

They must be selling you rebuilt engines as new....ouch.

Kawasaki replaces engines for us, then again, we purchase our engines new.

Barry
Gravely Guy

[VnDrWLawnCare]

Well i got my mower back today. Runs good and the mechanic must of accidentely set the rpm's at 3700. I am not concerned.. Just more power to cut grass. It sounds good but makes a putt sound, like it is not firing. Any suggestions? I am going to use it hard for the next few days and if it doesn't go away then i will take it back in. I cant wait for it to finally run right.
Eric

[65hoss]

I got off the phone with Tim @ Kawi a few minutes ago. Nice guy. I was able to tell him about my problems and concerns. He told me to keep his number if I ever have anymore problems to give him a call. He also said that many times if a distributor doesn't have parts in stock they would have them were he is. Shouldn't be a problem getting back up and running.

I plan to keep an open mind. I better, I have 3 kawis now. I just hope I don't have any problems in the near future, not really wanting to test the system at the cost of my $$$. :)

I do get the impression that they are trying to get involved and fix some things. If they do, they should have a great product for us.

[Eng Mwr Guy]

That's it?

Guess there weren't that many problems with Kawasaki's.

Let me know if I can help. Esp if it is on a Gravely unit.

Barry
Gravely Guy

[keifer]

My kawi backfires a lot but no major probs. My kohler is a good motor also but i would have to say my honda is the tops.

[plow kid]

I have a J.D. 725 front mower with a liquid cooled 20 hp twin heres my list of problems:

at 449 hours it needed a new carb
at 605 hours it needed head gaskets
at 643 hours it needed a clutch
and at currently 896 hours it somehow twisted the camshaft in 1/2 and galled a set of lifters and ruined them. $450.00

Here's my phone ## 419-385-9464 call and explain to me how a camshaft twists in 1/2

When I go and buy new walk behinds at the end of season sale I know for sure I will be trying a few kohlers.


Hell I could have rebuilt the 302 in my mud truck and put a new cam & carb on it for $450.00

[Albemarle Lawn]

Have a horizontal shaft Kohler Magnum 6HP on a Trac Vac.

Kawasaki doesn't offer this configuration, but I talked to an operator who said he never had a Briggs last more than 2 seasons on a vac or truck loader.

Our little 6HP Kawasaki is a moose and it starts on the first pull, every time, hot or cold. What an awesome little motor. Second season still going strong as new.

Ken

[conepile]

After reading all of these posts, I don't feel I'm any closer to choosing which engine to get on the Lazer Z HP I'm going to buy this spring. I was sure on the Kaw (I have never had a problem with min. Of course, after typing this I probably will) until I read this post. I had been dead-set against the Kohler, but now I don't know.

I'll have to watch this post to see what the winner is; then I'll buy.:confused:

[Green Care]

I guess I'm one of the lucky ones.
2 Ex w/b 1 scag w/b no problems.

[Albemarle Lawn]

New thread was just started so this may have the answers.

[C4chris70]

I have also had my share of troubles with Kawasaki engines. I have a 12 1/2 on an Exmark wb which has had 3 pan gaskets go bad in approx 3 years- a 17hp Kawi on a 48 Hustler Shortcut which has had 3 sets of coils (Kawasaki swore they had no problems with coils), a carb replacement, new breather assembly, fuel pump, and several visits for additional adjustments because the unit just suddenly starts blowing white smoke. Unit is apporx 2 years old with under 500 hours. About three months ago I purchased a 52 inch Turf Tiger with a 22 liquid cooled Kawi which made it 1 full hour befor the engine started sputtering. The carb was torn down and cleaned. I immediatly installed a Donaldson air filter system and have had no additional problems. I also have a 14 hp Kohler that is now in its 14th year of service. The only repair to this unit was a carb replacement last year. Starts every time on the first pull.

[Tyner Lawn Service]

I have run Kaws for years and have found them very dependable. Put over 4000 hrs on a couple of 'em. I also have run Briggs, Kohler,and Honda. I take very good care of my equipment but also use it to the exteme. I also when I start a motor up I don't let it run wide open right away and if loading or stopping to talk to someone I idle them down. That's one of my pet peaves is watching guys load a mower on a trailer WFO and just shut the key off. I tell them you dont' pull up to a stop light in your car,put it in neutral and hold the pedal to the floor do you?? I also idle them down a ways when crossing long areas of pavement. So I guess Kawasaki has been good to me from the 10 mowers, four 900 and 1000 kaw bikes, and kawasaki powered racing snowmobiles in Arctic Cat sleds!!!

[Shawn Burns]

Now that this thread has been revived i have a few updates of my own. Last fall Hustler paid for a seperate choke cable on my Z 60. Also, i found out by luck that a baffle, or baffles had broke in the muffler. After a new muffler it runs great! So far this year i have had no problems with it . As i stated before, i loved the mower, just didn't like the engine, now all is well!!!

[MikeLT1Z28]

i have the Kohler 15 on my new metro 36". absolutely NO complaints about it. fit and finish is good, runs great. i move it to choke and pull the recoil out a little to release the compression, then 1 pull and it's running, every time. only time it hasn't started right up was when the transmission lever was partially in reverse. my fault for that though.

[A.U.steve]

Tyner

l am much the same as you regarding maintenance etc, what sort of engine life do you get out of your BS assuming that it's a vanguard??.
l run a 16HP Vanguard (mitsubishi) and have 1261 hours on the clock it's still going strong uses minimal oil (500mls), over 50 hours.

Steve

[Tyner Lawn Service]

Hey Aussie, I had a 14 hp Vangard once that had over 2500 hrs. The only thing that was weak was the recoil. A lot of Briggs seemed to do that. It had as much power as a 17 kaw I had at the time. Both were on 48 inch walk behinds.

[eslawns]

I've never owned a Kohler, but I have a friend here who runs Toros. The dealer here sells Toros with Kohler, and he tells me that he's never had a major problem with them, ever.

I've owned Briggs, Kawi and Tecumseh. I will never buy another piece of machinery with a Tecumseh engine again as long as there is another choice available. IMO, they are completely unreliable. I have had little things go wrong with the Briggs and Kawi's, but have had excellent service from them both and would have no hesitation at all about getting a new mower with a Briggs, Kawi, or Kohler.

[CycleTech]

Hello, I am new here and after reading these posts I see that some may have had issues that I am experiencing. This machine has 39 hours on it and does a great job for me. I noticed when the machine is full throttle after a little while it wants to shut down. It will start up immediately after it shuts down but continues to act this way. When I back off the throttle a little bit it seems to run fine. I have noticed some carb issues on the 23hp kawi after reading this forum. Has anybody found a fix for this issue or can any one give me some direction. This machine is a 52" Scag Tiger Cub with a 23HP Kawasaki.
Any input would be appreciated.
Thank you
Tim

[CycleTech]

Hello, I am new here and after reading these posts I see that some may have had issues that I am experiencing. This machine has 39 hours on it and does a great job for me. I noticed when the machine is full throttle after a little while it wants to shut down. It will start up immediately after it shuts down but continues to act this way. When I back off the throttle a little bit it seems to run fine. I have noticed some carb issues on the 23hp kawi after reading this forum. Has anybody found a fix for this issue or can any one give me some direction. This machine is a 52" Scag Tiger Cub with a 23HP Kawasaki.
Any input would be appreciated.
Thank you
Tim
__________________
52" Scag Tiger Cub 23HP Kawi

[Mowingman]

You might have a coil cutting out after it gets hot. Coil trouble is common on Kawasaki engines.

[CycleTech]

Thank you for the input. Not being familar with these engines, can you tell me where the coil is located. Near the flywheel?
I have noticed the air filter (appearing as new), seems to be a bit lacking in air flow. Air there any upgrades to the air filtering system?
Thank you for your time.
Tim