Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): jd 325 kawasaki 18 hp air cooled, power skip, going in the right direction

Question
Mower is 8 years old has 482 hrs and perfect running until now. Mower may run 30 min or hours  with no problem and then all of a sudden it will loses power skip pop etc..  will be very eraditc.  Ihave been thru the fuel system  plugs etc to no avail.  Today I bought two ignition testers and put one on each cylinder (spark Plug)  after running three hrs it started the problem  and the left cylinder was not firing. Now i think I have an ignition coil breaking down----am I finally on the right track???

Answer
Hello WL:

From your Description it Sounds like you are Certainly Going in the Right Direction and the Ign Coil is Bad and Trying to Short Out when it Heats Up. I Used the FH531V Engine in the JD 325 Breakdown at the JD Site. You can View a Breakdown/IPL of the Engine and Mower at this Site Addy, http://jdpc.deere.com/jdpc/servlet/com.deere.u90490.partscatalog.view.servlets.H... and Enter the Model Numbers 325 and Click Find. Then Select your Model from the Search Results Area. Then Select the Sectional File. Then Select the Section of the Mower you Wish to View Online. I Suggest you Switch the Ign Coils and Operate the Engine Until the Problem Occurs Again. If the Ign Coil Fails on the Right Cylinder as it was Doing on the Left Cylinder, then Replace the Bad Ign Coil. If the Trouble did Not Switch to the Right Cylinder when the Ign Coils are Switched, then there is a Problem with the Harness for the Ign Coil on the Left Cylinder. If you Hit a Snag or this Does Not Correct the Problem,  I am Here if You Require More Assistance. Hope this Helps. Let me Know What Happens, Please. Have a Happy Holiday Season and May the All Mighty Bless You and Yours. Be Safe and Happy. Thanks.

Good Luck

Respectfully

John

PS: I am Allowed to Answer 10 Questions a Day. If you See I am Maxxed Out, then Try Submitting your Question at or Just After 8pm EST (US). My New Day Starts then. Comments and Ratings are Greatly Appreciated. Thanks.

Respectfully

John