Been going nutz trying to fix problems with a small engine. I spent 3 weeks off and on trying to fix it, was totally stumped. Now the shop's had it 3 more weeks and they aren't doing much better.
Engine: 23hp V-Twin Kawasaki FR730V 2 yrs old, low hours
Symptom: Cranks up cold, runs fine for 10-15 mins then stumbles like its running out of fuel and dies within 30 seconds. Will restart then run a short way then do it again repeatedly. Will try to struggle to run with some choke added in but will ultimately die.
What I did: Checked for adequate fuel level in float bowl, checked for water in float bowl, checked for water in fuel tank, cleaned carburetor, cleaned fuel tank, checked fuel tank pickup for obstruction, checked fuel tank vent line for obstruction, checked fuel tank vent, checked fuel line for obstruction, tested crankcase vacuum pulse, tested fuel pump, replaced fuel pump, replaced fuel line, replaced fuel filter replaced fuel tank vent line, tested fuel shutoff solenoid, disabled fuel shutoff solenoid, looked for an electronic ignition box (none), checked for spark while its dying. Nothing I've done has made a difference so I took it to the "pros".
Shop has done: Leakdown test, first said it had 20% or less leakdown. After they tinkered with it for several days they wanted to put a new carburetor on it at a cost of $340. I asked them to explain how it runs fine at full power for 10-15 minutes before suddenly shutting down when it hits operating temperature. They can't, but assured me a new carburetor will fix it. After waiting a week beyond the time it should have been fixed with the new carburetor, they called and said the carburetor didn't fix the issue. They are now saying one cylinder has 20% blow by and the other has 40% blow by and this is causing too much crankcase pressure to the point it builds up and overwhelms the induction system bogging the engine down. I've told them that I don't see how this could logically happen and they say while they understand it, they can't explain it. So now they want to either overhaul the engine or replace it with a new one. I have suggested the possibility that whatever it is that comprises the electronics of the ignition could be getting hot and altering timing or intensity of the spark. They are saying no way, no how, that these engines never have ignition trouble. They also point to the choke affecting the condition says it is a fuel and only a fuel problem.
I'm really frustrated with these guys and told them I thought I was taking it to people who knew more than me so that I didn't have to find the problem through the process of parts changing elimination, but that's what they seem to be doing. There's no way this engine is worn to the point of needing to be overhauled/replaced.
Engine: 23hp V-Twin Kawasaki FR730V 2 yrs old, low hours
Symptom: Cranks up cold, runs fine for 10-15 mins then stumbles like its running out of fuel and dies within 30 seconds. Will restart then run a short way then do it again repeatedly. Will try to struggle to run with some choke added in but will ultimately die.
What I did: Checked for adequate fuel level in float bowl, checked for water in float bowl, checked for water in fuel tank, cleaned carburetor, cleaned fuel tank, checked fuel tank pickup for obstruction, checked fuel tank vent line for obstruction, checked fuel tank vent, checked fuel line for obstruction, tested crankcase vacuum pulse, tested fuel pump, replaced fuel pump, replaced fuel line, replaced fuel filter replaced fuel tank vent line, tested fuel shutoff solenoid, disabled fuel shutoff solenoid, looked for an electronic ignition box (none), checked for spark while its dying. Nothing I've done has made a difference so I took it to the "pros".
Shop has done: Leakdown test, first said it had 20% or less leakdown. After they tinkered with it for several days they wanted to put a new carburetor on it at a cost of $340. I asked them to explain how it runs fine at full power for 10-15 minutes before suddenly shutting down when it hits operating temperature. They can't, but assured me a new carburetor will fix it. After waiting a week beyond the time it should have been fixed with the new carburetor, they called and said the carburetor didn't fix the issue. They are now saying one cylinder has 20% blow by and the other has 40% blow by and this is causing too much crankcase pressure to the point it builds up and overwhelms the induction system bogging the engine down. I've told them that I don't see how this could logically happen and they say while they understand it, they can't explain it. So now they want to either overhaul the engine or replace it with a new one. I have suggested the possibility that whatever it is that comprises the electronics of the ignition could be getting hot and altering timing or intensity of the spark. They are saying no way, no how, that these engines never have ignition trouble. They also point to the choke affecting the condition says it is a fuel and only a fuel problem.
I'm really frustrated with these guys and told them I thought I was taking it to people who knew more than me so that I didn't have to find the problem through the process of parts changing elimination, but that's what they seem to be doing. There's no way this engine is worn to the point of needing to be overhauled/replaced.
Last edited:
