Kohler twin starts with backfire every time
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Kohler twin starts with backfire every time
i rebuilt a 16 Hp kohler twin (1989) new pistons valves, guides, rings, bored and cross hatched professionally. last winter. Now when I start it, I get one big backfire that has the neighbors calling me when I start it, It does start, and runs normally after the initial noise. I am not sure where to start to track down why it is doing this. Carb has new gas with Seafoam in it, Hate to go after the valve adjustment again, unless I have too. Ideas/
#2
Member
With the new valves did you replace the seats? It could be a matter of running the engine for a while to get everything seated.
Some still lap the valves
Some still lap the valves
#3
Member
Thread Starter
Backfire
I called the company who did the work this morning. He thinks its carburetion due to the fact that the engine runs pretty smoothly after it gets going, It sure won't hurt to put a rebuild kit into it to make sure the floats, seat, and gaskets arent letting excess fuel load up into the manifold or cylinders. It will be a lot easier to start there now than pulling down the heads and valve access covers. With all the new rings and stuff, it probably pulls more vacuum than it has for a long time too.
#4
Member
I still think I would get a few hours on it and see where you're at before doing anything else.
#5
Member
Not that rebuilding the carburetor should hurt anything, but I tend to agree with putting at least a couple hours on it before looking for a problem that may or may not exist. I'm sure others here have more professional takes on it, but seems to me that the valves might need an opportunity to seat themselves.
#6
Member
Thread Starter
Well, that will sure make my day if that was the case, I am just not used to backfires, but I can easily keep some seafoam in the tank until it calms down.
#7
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Thread Starter
Kohler backfires every time
I thought over what you guys said to me regarding this problem, and I thought I might try something. With the engine completely cold, I usually set the choke to full on. This morning I did not set the choke at all. I just engaged the starter, and no backfire. It started and ran fine. Did it a couple of more times, and no backfire. If it doesn't need the choke to start all the better I guess. The rebuild must have been perfect! Thank you for your comments! I was not looking forward to dismantling this engine again as you know!
#9
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Thread Starter
Kohler Carb
10-4 on the possible seeping gas. It won't hurt to check this out after I get some of the other priorities done on this mower. If I find it, I will post it.