17 Kawi engine surging

[TJLC]

I have 2- 2003 TTHP's, both 48" 17 Kawi,es models. The one I just bought about4-5 months ago, is surging. This happens when you go from low to fast idle (under no load). It surges about 5-8 times and then smoothes out. It has been back to the dealer twice. They are telling me this is normal and "it's just the gov. trying to find the load". My older 2003 TTHP surges maybe 1 or two times and then smoothes out. They don't seem to surge at all, when they are under load. Is what they are telling me, true, that this is normal and there is nothing that can be done about. Thank you for any help you can give me on this.

[Jet Mech]

TJLC, I have a 17 hp Kawasaki motor on my 48" TTHP which was having very similar symptoms. It was most evident during the fall, when the air temp was 40-50 degrees F. I found that I would foul plugs in a hurry if it didn't clear up within a minute of warming up. With clean plugs reinstalled the motor ran fine. This problem has deminished over time and has not been a problem this past fall. I now have 520 hours on the motor. Hope this gives you some insite to your engine problem? Good luck.

[eXmark]

TJLC,

I contacted Kawi and they have some thoughts on the subject. They may want to post directly in the forum or contact your dealer. Drop me an e-mail to terry.eckert@exmark.com with your name and Exmark serial number along with the name of your dealer and a point of contact that you are comfortable with.

Thanks,

Terry

[germann]

Our 17 hp on a 48 also surges at low throttle some. The 36 in w/15 hp doesnt. However, we never have had any problems in 900 hrs to speak of. Great machine!

[TJLC]

Thanks for the replys and Terry I will e-mail you with the info you requested. Thanks, again.

[eXmark]

TJLC,

I just e-mailed your information to Kawasaki. They should be getting ahold of your dealer for some tips on diagnosis and repair if possible.

I've asked Kawi to let us know what they find. It may be something that we can pass along to help others.

Thanks,

Terry

[TJLC]

Originally posted by eXmark
TJLC,

I just e-mailed your information to Kawasaki. They should be getting ahold of your dealer for some tips on diagnosis and repair if possible.

I've asked Kawi to let us know what they find. It may be something that we can pass along to help others.

Thanks,

Terry

Thanks, Terry. I just hope that my dealer doesn't think I went over his head after they told me there was nothing they could do about it. On the other hand I want my machine to be right. Thanks, again.

[eXmark]

TJLC,

The dealer should take this as an oppurtunity to potentially learn something new and I suspect that he/she will.

I don't know any of us that knows everything or can't learn something new. Just in case though I called them and put a good word in for ya.

Thanks,

Terry

[TJLC]

Originally posted by eXmark
TJLC,

The dealer should take this as an oppurtunity to potentially learn something new and I suspect that he/she will.

I don't know any of us that knows everything or can't learn something new. Just in case though I called them and put a good word in for ya.

Thanks,

Terry

Thank you!!!

[ACER]

TJLC, how did your problem work out? I have a Metro HP with a 17hp kawaski that just started doing the same thing. I surges under no load and under a load until it reaches 3600 rpms. It then levels out but will sometiimes stall in tall grass.

[ACER]

Does anyone have any ideas on this problem, my motor will bog in tall grass and when turning it will bog and blow black smoke for a couple of seconds. It will reach 3600 rpm's free load, but drop to 3000 rpm's when I engage the pto.

[eXmark]

Acer,

The black smoke could be an indication that the choke is out of adjustment or a problem of some type with the choke.

Thanks

Terry

[Shadetree Ltd]

We had the same problem with our 17 Kaw and were told that they had a bunch with the same problem. I cannot remember the name of the part the replaced but it was a smooth disc with a round indentation in it. It was wearing improperly.

Scott