[turboaudi80]

hi Folks, Newbie here.

I have a 214 that runs great for about 15-20 minutes mowing, then starts to sputter intermittently, but enough to make it hard to continue mowing effectively. If I push in the clutch and switch off the pto it idles fine, but will crap out again after I continue mowing.

Often it seems to start running rough if I hit a bump (like one of the many roots in my yard). Almost like if you lift off the seat and the engine cuts out.

I have changed the plug, points, condenser, and coil. I bypassed the seat safety (suspecting it might be flaking out), but that made no improvement. I have messed around with mixture, and can make it run worse, but not much better. It seems like it is ignition related, but I'm not positive on that.

I love this little tractor, but I need to get this sorted out so can mow the entire yard in one shot. Now I need to split it up in two times, which makes it hard with a busy schedule.

Any suggestions on what to look at next would be helpful.

 

[biker3777]

Sounds like the coil might be getting hot,is the battery good,it might not have enough volts to keep it going?I see you said new coil,is it Kohler coil?

 

[tractorPete]

Can also have this issue if carb is set too lean then it runs hot and may get vapor lock. Start with the default settings in the manual and maybe open it up a 1/4 turn more. Lean is very bad on these engines.

Also make sure you have the thick plastic gasket/spacer between the carb and intake manifold, as it helps keep the heat out of the carb.

 

[turboaudi80]

The battery is new. the coil is Kohler, much cheaper than the JD branded coil.
I will also look at fuel issues. I see in some other threads to check the gas cap.

It will likely be a week or so before I get a chance to mess with it (until the lawn needs mowing again)

Thanks for the suggestions.
-Eli

 

[Fightinghalpins]

I have been having this with the k181 in my 200. New ignition all around with kohler parts, headgasket and cleaned out the carbon. I think on mine the valves are out of spec but they are non adjustable on the k181 but the bigger ones are. I would pop the valve cover off and take a quick look with a feeler gauge at the lash and touch it up. These are also known for the headgasket leaking around the exhaust valve so $15 for some gaskets and do the head and valves (good idea to remove and lap them if you have the tools). Cheap and easy but an afternoon of work to do some maintainence and eliminate some things from the probable list.

 

[p51fsbk]

I am having a similar issue with my 214 since i replace points, coil and condenser. I also took the carb apart and cleaned it so I'm thinking i messed something up when I did that. It is dying out and then running fine and then cutting out again. I can run the mower deck while sitting still and have no issues, only when trying to mow. I'm also starting to get a lot of black smoke though.

 

[Fightinghalpins]

Black smoke is unburned fuel. Does it sputter consistanly or random? My powerking would die under load at wot and points and condensor fixed it. I have had issues in the past with non kohler ignition parts especially condensors. If you can regularly recreate it i would say start with carb tuning and if random check ignition. Some spark testers (lightbulb kind) can be used in series while its running and you can see if the spark is dropping out or getting weak.

 

[turboaudi80]

I thought I'd give an update on this old thread. After replacing the coil, plug and condenser with no improvement, I broke down and ordered a carb from ebay for $33. It works great and solved the hot running problem. It fit well. The only issue was the choke linkage was a little shorter so the cable doesn't travel as much as it did on the original carb. Not a problem at all. It didn't come with enough gaskets, so order I ordered an extra before I tore it apart. I'm generally not a fan of cheap stuff from China, but I'm gaining a more open mind with bargains like this.

It does foul the points occasionally, but that is a different symptom. When that happens, it runs so poorly that I have to stop and clean the points or I cannot continue mowing.

My advice based on my experience is that was the best $33 I have spent on small engine equipment in a long time.

 

[RussKish]

Carbs, I hate carbs. Anything and everything seems to screw them up. Note: I would also pull the PTO apart, is might be damaged, coil burnt/blackened and shorting as it is used and that will give the exact same symptoms.

 

[[email protected]]

I bet your carb float had microscopic cracks. Very common as they age. The cracks expand as the engine warms. Allowing gas inside. That changes float height enough that it causes poor running conditions. Easy test, put float up to your ear and shake it for sound of fuel. Or submerge in warm water and look for fizzing of air coming from float. The cracks are extremely hard to see sometimes.