QuestionI have a CV490S-27505 Kohler engine on a craftsman tractor. It was running fine and always started and ran very smooth. I was using it yesterday and shut it off to empty the grass. The engine would not sputter or start. After letting it cool and several tries and starter fluid, it ran for about 20 min and stopped like it was out of gas. There is fresh gas in the tank. It turns over, but does not fire at all. I pulled the plug and and held it on the engine and it has a spark and the gas filter is not clogged. It feels like something is stopping the gas, but it did not start with starting fluid the second time either, just backfired a couple of times. Could the timing be off, a valve stuck or a broken wire somewhere? It looks like it had a mouse in it and I was able to pull most of the nest out. I am not sure what the part is that hangs off the bottom of the bowl on the carb, but I wonder if it is shutting off the gas. I read one of your other answers about the coil, and I don't know where it is to check it or how to pull the stop wire off it. Thanks for your help. Gerry
AnswerIf you have/see spark the coil is good. Did you replace the spark plug?
You do a a fuel shut-off solenoid on your carburetor.
Fuel Shut-off Solenoid
Some gasoline-fueled engines are equipped with the optional fuel shut-off solenoid, which is installed in place of the bowl retaining screw, to eliminate backfiring when the engine is shut down. If a solenoid equipped engine will not start, check whether sufficient voltage is reaching the solenoid. A minimum of 7.3 volts DC is required to activate the solenoid. Also
check to see that the ground lead from the carburetor body to the air cleaner base mounting stud is properly connected. Make sure the solenoid is grounded as well.
Here is the link to your service manual:
http://www.kohlerengines.com/onlinecatalog/pdf/tp_2339_d.pdf
Let me know if a new spark plug helps and if the fuel solenoid is receiving power.
Eric
