Kohler Command won't start

16 years ago

Infrequent poster here...but I've always got help!

My Cub Cadet 1517 equipped with a Kohler Command CV490S (Family SKHS.4902GB, Spec 27510) won't start. New battery this year and it cranks very well. It was hard starting for the first time this earlier this Spring but started eventually with some amount of smoke that cleared as the engine warmed up. Then it ran fine for some yard clean up and restarted easily when needed.

Today, some coughing and sputtering and it ran for about 30 seconds blowing the same (bluish) smoke. I figured that I might have not let it warm up sufficiently before hitting the drive. I was wrong.

Basic diagnostics: Fuel tank, full. Spark, check (though this was only a visual it looked strong). Air filter clean (though I did try to start it without to be certain). When I pulled the plug it was slightly wet. The choke linkage was connected and working. I had replaced the fuel filter last year with the OEM filter and it has always had stabilizer and a splash of MMO for good measure (the latter always made the engine a bit quieter in cool weather). I did check fuel flow beyond the filter but not after the fuel pump (My assumption was the wet plug showed fuel was getting through, but that perhaps this indicated a carburetor problem. The carb does have a solenoid at its base but I did not mess with this (pending some advice here) I did try a few CC's of fuel directly into the carb...nothing. If I am to clean the carb, any advice would help. I am skinny on knowledge of fuel pumps and bowls equipped with solenoids. I have successfully cleaned simpler Carbs on smaller and simpler (gravity fed) engines. I do not suspect a safety switch as it had run 'some' before this problem.

But I am open to ideas or suggestions. Let me know what else I can check or might have missed. If any photos would help, let me know. Thanks guys!

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Comments (7)

tomplum
16 years ago
Is the oil level proper? If it seems to have a fuel smell and the level is high or unreadable , stop and report back. In regards to the fuel solenoid, you should feel /hear it click when the key is switched on.
hortsense
Original Author
16 years ago
Dipstick reads right at full. Oil seems a little dark given that I had changed it last Fall. Having just sniffed several dipsticks (boy that sounds damning) for comparison, I do not think it has any noticeable gas smell. Turning the key to the first position (which is engine running w/lights on) I did hear a 'click'. It seemed to come from the hour meter. Second position (engine on, lights off) produced no sounds. Starting position any noises would have been covered by the engine cranking. I did also try the key with a couple of fingers on the fuel bowl solenoid (not an easy reach at my age) but I did not feel anything there when I heard the click.

One other thing I forgot to mention: When I did crank it with plug out (to check for spark), it seemed to have good compression. I can borrow a gauge and will need someone to crank the engine while I hold it in place. Any idea what the compression should be?
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tomplum
16 years ago
Compression readings can be deceptive due to the compression release on these. If you toss your gauge on and see 100 #s_ i guess you know that you have compression however... Go back to that solenoid below the carb. Set your park brake and turn the key . You don't need to be on the seat. If you can't confirm that the solenoid is working- you could check for power there with the switch in the on position. Should be close to 12V. An easy test all is to buy a can of carb spray, put a burst down the carb throat and crank the engine over. Again, with the brake set- it will run with you off the seat. Let us know what happens.
rcmoser
16 years ago
I got a 17 HP command and it floods easily. I only raise the throttle half up. MY JD has a spring on the choke so you can't leave it on. I choke it till I hear it bang or start. If it don't start with the choke off after it bangs I choke it again and it usually fires. Compared to my vanguard it takes alot of cranking to start it after it's been in storage for awhile.

If toms suggestion on the fuel switch is good I would remove the plugs, squirt carb. cleaner in the combustion chamber, motor the engine over (cranking it with the spark plug still out) to blow the gas and carb. cleaner outcombustion chamber through the spark plug hole (you want to do this outside, I never experienced any fire lite from the ignition but it could be a possiblity), squirt the spark plug or plugs with carb cleaner for priming, install them and it should fire right up. You may have to feather the choke if it wants to stall.
hortsense
Original Author
16 years ago
I will have some time this weekend. I will review the posts and try some of the suggestions. I did have the brake set and the seat safety down as well. Even checked to make sure the deck wasn't engaged... I even plan on trying a new spark plug, though that is a bit of desperation. I'll report back...thanks for the input guys.
rcmoser
16 years ago
Changing spark plugs now days is overrated and a waste of money unless you have an oil burner or you find them cracked. All you got to do is wire brush them using carb. cleaner and check the gap. I ran spark plugs in a vanguard engine for 12 years and they still didn't need to be changed but I had a blond moment and changed them. Didn't make any difference how the LT ran, but I felt better knowing I put new spark plugs in.

Sometimes we have a flash back to the 60's 70's and 80's when we had crappy designed engines in or cars and trucks were after a few thousand miles the weak ign system along with crappy over riched carb. the engine had to be tuned up ever six month or so to run on all the cylinders.
hortsense
Original Author
16 years ago
I compared my fuel solenoid to other engines so equipped today. When turning the key,I heard and felt a definite click on a Kohler Courage engine and a B & S (Intek I think) engine. I am uncertain if that is an issue, but I had a chance to compare and did.

Also, concerned that my allergy afflicted nose might have missed a gas smell in the oil, I had a few folks I work with take a whiff. Most said there was a very SLIGHT whiff of gasoline in the oil. Not a lot to go on...but I am now worried that this might be something worse than what I had thought. I might have to poke around some more under the hood. I might also be into something over my head.