22 hp kohler runs rough

[General Grounds]

:blob3: every morning is start mowing and for the first 2 min. or so the engine runs rough, misses, then all of a sudden will go away as if i ran it with the chike on and shut it off. done it all changed plugs, filters ecx. same result any ideas. tony

ps after the rough start runs great all day.

[grasmo]

sounds like a piston might be trying to go bad. check the compression. the first step in any tune-up is to do a compression test. other than that maybe check the float bowl and fuel system for some water.

[John DiMartino]

Id have the compression checked cold,if its low,id suspect a valve,or valve seat problem,either way the heads are easy to get off the command,and they are replaceable.if its fine,id suspect the intake gasket,or the carb may be adjusted to lean,or has dirt in it.

[Jman]

How old is the engine? Have the ignition modules ever been replaced? If they have they may have been set too close. The old spec on coil air gap on smart spark equipped engines was .010 inch. The new setting is .012-.013 inch. It will make a difference when cold.