gt235/kawasaki 18hp missing out when HOT

webby · Jul 8, 2011

I've noticed that my engine starts missing out while mowing. Runs fine for about an hour or so... but, when it gets hot,, she starts missing out bad.
I've diagnosed my problem to be coil related, so, I've just came from the local JD dealer parts counter with a coil. They only had 1 in stock. So, I feel I have a 50/50 chance of picking the right one.
Any helpful advice on which one to choose as my first try ? Just thought that maybe there is one cyl. that is more susceptible to heat and will break down the coil quicker than the other side.
I have the V-twin 18hp Kawasaki engine with over 650 hrs on it. Never had any problems with this engine since I bought it new !
Any ideas or advice is greatly appreciated.

raying:
Mike

eddyyy302 · Jul 8, 2011

Mike,
Before trying to guess, throw a spark checker light on BOTH plug wires and run it until it gets hot and starts to miss, take a look at the spark checker and you should be able to tell which coil it is. I know they only had one, but coils are normally replaced in pairs (in a shop) and my guess would be on the right side coil when sitting on the tractor.

Dan

rscurtis · Jul 9, 2011

Alternately reduce the plug gap on each cylinder and see which one solves the problem. I wouldn't see any logic to replacing both coils unless it is a difficult job to access them and you don't want to do it twice.

eddyyy302 · Jul 9, 2011

rscurtis said:
Alternately reduce the plug gap on each cylinder and see which one solves the problem. I wouldn't see any logic to replacing both coils unless it is a difficult job to access them and you don't want to do it twice.

Kawasaki ignition components GENERALLY fail within 150 hours of each other according to them. People don't want to pay for pickup and delivery as well as minimum labor charge for the same "part" (name, not physical part)twice.

Dan

webby · Jul 9, 2011

Thanks Dan & rscurtis for the quick replies. I'll probably swap out the one on the right and if they don't get anymore in till after I mow again, I'll see if it still misses out then. Otherwise, I'll go ahead and swap out the other one when they get one in. After joining and reading some post on here. I've seen where the valve cover gaskets have been redesigned to a silicone type material. I've got 2 of those ordered for it as well. I have one leaking slightly. So,, I might as well change 'em both and get it over with. They are only $4.00 each.
Thanks again,,,,,,,,
Mike

webby · Jul 16, 2011

OK,, I got to mow this week after changing one of my coils on my JD. It ran fine. :greendr: I swapped out the right coil (sitting on mower). Mowed for 3 hours and never had any missing out what so ever. :thThumbsU
I guess 150 hrs from now, should I need to change the other coil, then I will. Changing the coil took about 20 mins. I'm a DIY guy. There really isn't any reason why a fellow or lady can't tackle this one on their own. VERY EASY FIX
Thanks again for the info..
Hope this helps someone else with these symptoms. :fing32:

Mike

JRJ · Jul 16, 2011

Thanks for the info. Mike, glad to hear you picked the right coil. I was going to suggest changing one and if the didn't do it, then you would know it was the other one.

Dick

webby · Jul 16, 2011

eddyyy302 said:
Mike,
Before trying to guess, throw a spark checker light on BOTH plug wires and run it until it gets hot and starts to miss, take a look at the spark checker and you should be able to tell which coil it is. I know they only had one, but coils are normally replaced in pairs (in a shop) and my guess would be on the right side coil when sitting on the tractor.

Dan

Yes, my hats off to Dan on this one. I went with his advice. Changed the one of the right. This is a pretty cool forum (MTF), glad I found it. Hopefully I'll be able to add on some of the post rather than extract. lol
:thanku: again !!!
Mike

gt235/kawasaki 18hp missing out when HOT

webby

eddyyy302

rscurtis

eddyyy302

webby

webby

JRJ

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