Kohler has partnered with Cub Cadet by providing a variety of small engine solutions for their home and lawn equipment. If you own a machine with a Kohler engine, you may be looking for troubleshooting advice if the engine won’t start, or if it’s backfiring and running poorly. The good news is that there’s usually a simple solution to your problems, and we’re here to give you some helpful tips to go along with the information provided in your owner’s manual.
Failure to Start
If you try to start your engine and nothing happens at all, or if there’s only a dull noise but no cranking, it’s likely that your battery is not providing enough power to get things started. Check your battery to ensure that it’s properly charged if it’s been sitting for a while without being used. In addition, check the battery terminal connections to make sure they’re snug and secure, making a good connection with the posts. The battery is the most common cause for this issue, but other problems may be blown fuses in the starting circuit, low fuel or oil, and belts that are too tight to allow for proper engagement of the starter.
If your engine makes the cranking noise indicating it has power, but still won’t start it’s time to look at the fuel delivery system and choke. If the choke is in the wrong position, your engine will be unable to sustain itself even if it would otherwise start normally. Check for loose fuel lines and make sure spark plugs are correctly inserted and tightened down.
Poor Performance
If your engine starts but runs sporadically or if it‘s backfiring loudly when you increase the throttle, it may be in need of some fine tuning. First check to make sure that it’s getting enough fuel to keep running. Make sure you let it warm up properly before you try to run it at full throttle. Check to make sure your idle is set high enough, and lastly, look at your spark plugs for proper gap and connections. Other sources of concern may be water contamination or a faulty kill switch causing the engine to quit temporarily and then start back up again.
Electrical Problems
Electrical issues in your Kohler engine can manifest in a number of different ways. They may cause your battery lose a charge between uses, repeatedly blown fuses or prevent the engine from engaging with the clutch. It’s also possible that the engine could continue to run after the switch is shut off, creating a potential hazard. These issues are commonly caused by poor grounding, bad connections and a damaged battery.
Where to Find Replacement Parts for Your Kohler Small Engine:
Cubparts.com offers a selection of OEM replacement parts for Cub Cadet equipment and Kohler small engines. Their team will be happy to assist you with finding the right replacement parts to fit your needs, as well as giving helpful advice when you are troubleshooting a problem. Parts can be shipped directly to your door whether you’re in the U.S. or Canada.