[John Garrison]

I have a Kohler K301 in a '68 Cub Cadet 125 and it doesn't like to turn over. I know these engines have the Automatic Compression Release(ACR) that allows for easier starting and that seems to be my issue...or so I think. See, with a full charge on the battery, the engine will crank a little until it hits what feels like the compression stroke and it seems to just stop cranking. I can turn the key off and on repeatedly and it will just click, the starter/gen. belt will make a little stretching noise and then, nothing. I let off so I don't burn anything up. Once in a while with a battery charger hooked up on Jump Start Mode it will turn over and the engine will fire up. Once the engine is warm it will turn over and start just fine without a battery charger/booster. Once the engine cools back down it wont hardly crank over at all.
The oil looks a little thick and in need of a change so I was planning on flushing out the oil and then doing an oil change. Does my issue sound like it's the ACR sticking and if that is the case, will flushing the sludge out of the engine with some ATF or kerosene possibly free up the automatic compression release spring mechanism?

 

[TheSaturnV]

Just a shot in the dark here, but those ACR springs are very delicate. In fact, both mine were knocked out of position when I got the block back from the machine shop. What I don't know, is if they were like that on removal, or if they got bumped by the machinist.

Either way, they are tiny wires, easily moved.

 

[WattonYooper]

Sounds like a bad battery, I would check the voltage right after to attempt to
start.

 

[John Garrison]

See, with a full charge on the battery, the engine will crank a little until..

As I said, the battery is good. It's a new battery(less than 2 months old) that I took out of my Cub 124 to put in the said Cub 125 that is giving me issues. It works fine in the 124. The battery will read full on the multimeter, I'll leave it sit for days, and it will still read full the next time tested. It only reads less than full when I've been trying to get it to start for a while which is normal.
The previous owner got rid of it because he couldn't get it to turn over any more. He let it sit for a while and when he tried to start it for the first time he couldn't even get it to turn over with it's own battery power. He said he tried numerous fully charged batteries and still the same issue. He was considering adding dual batteries to get it to turn over and I told him that something is wrong and he shouldn't need two batteries to start it. At least I've been able to get it to start up and run like a sewing machine but I usually have to use a battery charger on "Start" mode to get it to fire up.
As I stated before, once the engine gets fully warmed up and driven around it will start up under battery power alone. Once it sits for a while, the whole process has to be started over again. I know it sounds like a battery issue but it has to be something else keeping it from turning over when cold.

 

[WattonYooper]

I would pull the spark plug out when it cold before you try to start it. It might be leaking gas onto the cylinder locking up the cylinder on the compression stroke.

 

[Shingetter]

One of my k301's did that a couple of weeks ago and it was worn out brushes in the starter.

 

[U.S.A Tractor Joe]

One of my k301's did that a couple of weeks ago and it was worn out brushes in the starter.

BINGO! That very same problem just happened to me today on my 71. No doubt, it is a starter generator related problem. Every thing John explains happened to me today. Rather mess with another rebuild project, I'm resorting to another s/g off the shelf. Hope this helps.

 

[John Garrison]

Sounds like you guys nailed it with the starter/gen. diagnosis. I'm going to go out right now and swap a good unit from one of my other tractors and see if that is the problem.

 

[John Garrison]

I just got back from messing around in the garage and swapping starters and sure enough, after the swap I turned the key and without hesitation the old beast fired right up. It was such an easy solution to a problem that was really starting to gnaw at me. I even had time to adjust the valves and finish a cold adult beverage. Thanks guys, this site always seems to be full of knowledgeable folks willing to help.

 

[Diesel332]

After 45 years, almost all S/Gs will be worn out. Another sign will be a ratcheting noise after turning the key. The one on my JD (8 HP Kohler) ratchets a little bit, hesitates, then gets up to full speed and starts up.

 

[John Garrison]

Well folks, I tought I had the problem fixed. As I metioned before, my 125 was not turning over unless I jump started it. I replaced the starter/gen. with a working unit from one of my other tractors and it started up fine. It was working great for a few days but now it's doing the same thing again. The battery is reading 12.40V and as I mentioned before, it is almost new and worked fine in the tractor I took it out of. Any suggestions this time?

 

[walter g]

Doesn't matter how new the battery is it could have a bad cell.
Hook the multi meter to the battery and try starting it. Check your reading while cranking it.

Sent from the MTF Free App

 

[John Garrison]

As I said before, the battery is fine.

 

[Shingetter]

If you're sure the battery is fine then it's time for looking at grounds, shorts, etc.
Will it start with a jump?
What happened between it starting fine and not starting fine?
Did you rebuild the original s/g yet?

 

[CADplans]

What about

http://www.mytractorforum.com/showthread.php?t=421402&highlight=

:dunno:

 

[U.S.A Tractor Joe]

I swapped out my sg for another and my problem has been gone. I know this sounds like work, but I would put the swapped sg back in the one it was took out of, and see if that sg went bad too. If not, sounds like a wire problem as said already.

 

[TheSaturnV]

When these kinds of problems come and go, it's time to look at the wiring... specifically the grounds. Find all the ground points, take them loose and give them a good cleaning/filing/sanding and then snug everything back up tight.

 

[John Garrison]

Sorry I didn't get back in a timely manner but the problem has been resolved. The S/G was bad. Had to cannibalize one off my 100 for the time being. Thanks for all the suggestions.