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taxidermist · #41 09-13-2012, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lotsagrass

I checked it when it was cold. I took it out for a spin again this afternoon into some really thick and tall grass in the field. It sputtered a few seconds after I engaged the blades, but in less than a minute, it was plowing through the grass with no sputtering. You could tell it was stressed (normal sounds of an engine under heavy load), but no sputtering. I'll see what happens over the next few mows and if the sputtering keeps coming back I'll go ahead and do the plugs and coils next.

Dont do them both at the same time...start cheep that way you will know if it was a plug or coil

Rob

lotsagrass · #42 09-14-2012, 01:06 PM

If it keeps acting up I'll replace the plugs since that's really cheap and easy. If it still has the problem, then the coils will be replaced.

LarryF · #43 09-14-2012, 02:25 PM

Why haven't you tried replacing the right coil since it's measurement was only marginal?

lotsagrass · #44 09-17-2012, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LarryF

Why haven't you tried replacing the right coil since it's measurement was only marginal?

I read that in some cases it's required to replace both, as a pair. I think someone had posted a tech note from Kawasaki that was intended for repair shops. I don't remember exactly where I saw the notice I'm talking about, but if I do have to replace one, I plan on replacing both at the same time.

LarryF · #45 09-18-2012, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lotsagrass

I read that in some cases it's required to replace both, as a pair. I think someone had posted a tech note from Kawasaki that was intended for repair shops. I don't remember exactly where I saw the notice I'm talking about, but if I do have to replace one, I plan on replacing both at the same time.

Someone might have posted that, but I don't believe it to be a valid requirement since I changed only the one on mine that was bad as indicated by a low resistance measurement, and that cleared my problem.

N.H.BOY · #46 09-18-2012, 07:58 PM

Sounds like this is driving you to drink...Have you replaced all rubber fuel line hoses? Cheap and easy, they sometime do have small cracking and get old. I do wish you luck

lotsagrass · #47 09-21-2012, 08:09 PM

I ordered new coils (both) and new plugs from Partstree a moment ago. Today while mowing, it started to backfire (not really loudly, but still doing it) very frequently and not under really heavy loads. I do believe it's mostly ignition related. I assume there's unburnt fuel that's causing the backfires. I took readings on the coils after getting them off and only one of them had a normal reading (left one) and the other was up into the mega-ohms instead of kilo-ohms where it should be. Overall I was having a hard time getting a reading at all. Anyway, If this doesn't cure the problem, I'd be pretty surprised. I've used octane booster in the last two mowings and I think that's helped it run better with the bad coils...but it seems like the problem is growing worse and being more consistent now. I hope to have the replacement parts by mid week. The dealer said he'd have to take the engine off to get the coils off, but I did it at home without removing the engine. It's a little tight, but it's a lot less work than removing the engine! My biggest pain in the butt I'm sure will be making sure the clearance is set right (between the coil and flywheel). I know what the clearance should be, but I'm just saying it's going to be tough because the workspace it tight.

blabarre · #48 09-21-2012, 09:31 PM

Cool. Keep us posted!
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teckjohn · #49 09-21-2012, 09:59 PM

Exhaust valve staying open when it fires will also do what your saying. And these Kawasakis are famous for valve guides sticking and the head going bad and sticking a valve and destroying a piston and a block. Could have a warped exhaust valve. http://www.lawnsite.com/showthread.p...32#post4409832

is what they are famous for. NEW and OLD!

lotsagrass · #50 09-22-2012, 05:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by teckjohn

Exhaust valve staying open when it fires will also do what your saying. And these Kawasakis are famous for valve guides sticking and the head going bad and sticking a valve and destroying a piston and a block. Could have a warped exhaust valve. http://www.lawnsite.com/showthread.p...32#post4409832

is what they are famous for. NEW and OLD!

I hope not :-( If the coils don't do the trick, I guess that's the next thing to check.