QuestionI have a old lawn tractor with a kohler engine k301as, spec#47958 or B. serial# 6052946. It has a starter generator. when starting engine turns, but when the cylinder fires it sends crankshaft in the opposite direction. I think it's firing early. once it starts it runs ok. my question, Is there a way to adjust the ignition timing or do I have another problem? you have to jump it with the car to start it. Respectfully, AL
Answer
screen shot
Allan
Sounds like the timing is off
This is a little help on setting the point gap and ignition timing
Perform the following whenever the breaker points assembly is replaced or where a timing problem is suspected.
* Rotate the crankshaft so that the cam that operates the points is at the highest location and the points are wide open.
* Adjust the point gap setting to specifications using a feeler gauge. This is nearly always .020 inches.
* Set the crankshaft position. This is usually done statically and does not require a timing light (Darn!).
On many engines including Tecumsehs, there is a timing dimension in the engine specifications. This is the distance of the piston below Top Dead Center (TDC) at which the points should just open.
While measuring piston position with a scale through the spark plug hole, rotate the crankshaft until the piston is precisely at TDC and note this distance. (There are special timing gauges for this purpose with lock screws to hold the setting but a little ruler will work just fine.)
Now, turn the crankshaft in the opposite direction from normal rotation (usually counterclockwise as viewed from the flywheel end) until the piston moves down .25 inches or so and then turn it slowly in the normal direction of rotation until the piston position is precisely at the timing dimension listed in your engine specifications.
o On some engines there will be timing marks on the flywheel and engine block or the manual may tell you to line up the one edge of the flywheel magnet with one of the magneto pole pieces.
The flywheel should be temporarily re-installed without tightening the nut.
Rotate the crankshaft until the timing marks are precisely aligned.
Carefully remove the flywheel without disturbing the crankshaft position.
* Adjust the timing. Loosen the locking screw on the points assembly. Rotate the points assembly until the points just open (use a thin piece of cellophane or a multimeter on the low ohms scale. Lock the position by tightening the set screw.
* Double check that your settings have not shifted.
* Replace the cover over the points assembly, if any.
* Reinstall the flywheel and associated hardware and tighten to the specified torque (30 to 33 ft-lbs). Make sure the cupped washer, if any, has its cupped-side facing the flywheel. (Defer tightening to full torque if the engine is not presently mounted solidly on the equipment. Just don't forget!)
* Check, and if necessary, adjust the magnet to magneto coil spacing using a non-magnetic (preferably) feeler gauge or shim stock (typically .015 inches though some are .005 to .008 inches, see your engine manual).
* Replace the shroud/blower housing and any trim pieces that were removed if no other servicing is to be performed on the engine.
