I've got a 14' ZG127s with a Koehler motor that is bogging down and stalling out after about half and acre mowed. I'm mowing @ 4" and by no means @ max forward speed. The mower operates flawlessly the first half acre and then starts bogging down like I'm trying to mow 8" grass. The mower will run just fine when sitting still and even runs fine under load with the blades engaged. Once you attempt to move the mower under load it starts running rough and with in seconds shut itself down. I can disengage the blades, choke it out and it'll fire right back up no problem. I can run the mower up and down the property without the blades engaged once the mower gets to this point. As soon as I engage the blades it will run just fine @ max throttle until I try to move the mower with the blades running. Let the mower cool down and it will run with the blades engaged just fine until it gets warm again. I've taken it to my dealer before who replaced the carburetor, and fuel lines back in middle November 2016. Now its doing the same thing I took it in for last time. Please some one help....
ZG127s shuts down after 1/2 acre
- Thread starter GasBota
- Start date
Not familar with this machine but do you know if there is a fuel pump on the machine. If so check to see if it is functioning properly.
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When it starts to stumble, pull the choke out to see if it smooths out. Possible vent issue, also try pulling the fuel cap at the time of failure and listen for big hiss. You could also rig up a fuel can as close to the carb as possible to eliminate the fuel system issues, except a carb.
After that, I would speculate a coil issue.
Pat
After that, I would speculate a coil issue.
Pat
Ive had similar issues over the last 4 years with that same machine . constant power and throttle issues. same things replaced . Another independent repair shop told me its most like ly the right cylinder and a possible new engine is necessary . I'll let you know what the results are . Have you gotten any progress your self ?
My first thought is something causing some stoppage in the fuel line. I have a TG1860 gas that acted similarly. Sometimes mow for an hour and no trouble. Next time mow for 15 minutes and it would cough, sputter, almost die and sometimes it would die.
Initially I removed the fuel cap and do difference. Then remove the fuel cap and disconnect the fuel line at the filter and blow back through the fuel line. After exerting a fair amount of pressure the line would open up. Reattach the fuel line and put the fuel cap back on, and go mowing, only to repeat the process sometime down the road.
I finally removed the gas tank and discovered some rubber bits (like fuel hose pieces) in the tank. Cleaned it out thoroughly and no trouble since.
Initially I removed the fuel cap and do difference. Then remove the fuel cap and disconnect the fuel line at the filter and blow back through the fuel line. After exerting a fair amount of pressure the line would open up. Reattach the fuel line and put the fuel cap back on, and go mowing, only to repeat the process sometime down the road.
I finally removed the gas tank and discovered some rubber bits (like fuel hose pieces) in the tank. Cleaned it out thoroughly and no trouble since.
I have had several 27hp Kohler engines on other kinds of equipment. They are notorious for blowing head gaskets. The results are what you describe. They are fine until they heat up. My stump grinder engines ate them like they were free. I finally replaced them with Briggs Vanguard engines and solved the problem. My local small engine guy sold mowers with that engine and has had it happen when they are new and unused. He has a collection of those blown gaskets. As I understand, Kohler has finally addressed the problem with a new style gasket. It has probably been 5 years since I had this problem so if you have an older machine, this could be your problem. I have 20 hp Kohlers that are 10 years old and have never given trouble. This problem, as I understand, Is/was confined to the 27 hp engine. After you try all the other suggestions, you might want to consider a compression test when it gets hot.
I wouldn't go so far as to blame the head gasket-yet. Kohler addressed that with new gaskets, gosh, about 6-7 years ago?? Been a while-but I remember the part number change. It was almost always due to crap fuel, which may not have a real solution for...since equipment SITS. Try everything else first.
Remove the pickup tube/shutoff valve assembly in the top of the fuel tank. Remove the fuel line from it. The valve assembly just pops out of the rubber grommet. It's a tight elbow and that's where junk usually builds up, in the elbow where the tube meets the valve. Blow it out backwards, from the fuel line end back through the pickup tube and hold your hand over the tube to see what comes out, if anything. Usually clippings. BTW there's a "recall" (campaign) on these....which also entails several other issues (it's called the Kubota Kommander confidence campaign-and you should've gotten a card/letter about it). Worth mentioning, but be warned...the HST tension spring (also part of the "recall") is on a national back order at this time.
If tube is clean, replace fuel filter. While the lines are undone, blow them out and see if anything comes out. Same for the line that goes from the filter to the carb; remove it and blow it out. Anything in any of them? If no-continue on....
The pumps don't usually die. They work or they don't, and when they don't they normally fill the crankcase with fuel through the diaphragm inside of it. Classic complaint of a failed pump is engine smoking and high oil level for no apparent reason.
Finally, if all else fails, re-route the fuel line. From the factory, it is routed right along the side of the blower housing. With winter blended fuels and/or old fuel, there's sufficient heat along that area to BOIL the fuel. No it's not going to explode, it just boils at as little as 80 degrees F. To alleviate a possible boiling problem, re-route the line along the frame and as far away from the engine as possible.
Remove the pickup tube/shutoff valve assembly in the top of the fuel tank. Remove the fuel line from it. The valve assembly just pops out of the rubber grommet. It's a tight elbow and that's where junk usually builds up, in the elbow where the tube meets the valve. Blow it out backwards, from the fuel line end back through the pickup tube and hold your hand over the tube to see what comes out, if anything. Usually clippings. BTW there's a "recall" (campaign) on these....which also entails several other issues (it's called the Kubota Kommander confidence campaign-and you should've gotten a card/letter about it). Worth mentioning, but be warned...the HST tension spring (also part of the "recall") is on a national back order at this time.
If tube is clean, replace fuel filter. While the lines are undone, blow them out and see if anything comes out. Same for the line that goes from the filter to the carb; remove it and blow it out. Anything in any of them? If no-continue on....
The pumps don't usually die. They work or they don't, and when they don't they normally fill the crankcase with fuel through the diaphragm inside of it. Classic complaint of a failed pump is engine smoking and high oil level for no apparent reason.
Finally, if all else fails, re-route the fuel line. From the factory, it is routed right along the side of the blower housing. With winter blended fuels and/or old fuel, there's sufficient heat along that area to BOIL the fuel. No it's not going to explode, it just boils at as little as 80 degrees F. To alleviate a possible boiling problem, re-route the line along the frame and as far away from the engine as possible.
RCW
Well-known member
Lifetime Member
Equipment
BX2360, FEL, MMM, BX2750D snowblower. 1953 Minneapolis Moline ZAU
Just catching up with this thread.
I swear 75% of the time I hear "choke it and it will run" ends up being an ethanol gas issue....especially for small engine/seasonal stuff that sits - - generators, chainsaws, trimmers, blowers, mowers, etc........can be carb, fuel lines.
Been there done that.....
I'm over-simplifying, and not sure of the issue here, but it's caused lots of problems.
Daren Todd
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Equipment
Massey Ferguson 1825E, Kubota Z121S, Box blade, Rotary Cutter
Ain't that the truth. Had all my equipment get nailed a few years ago with the ethanol. After having to clean every carburetor, I only buy non ethanol now for my yard equipment.
Didn't treat the gas in my push mower. It's sat for 5 months with the same gas in it. Gas wasn't treated either. Cranked it 3 or 4 times and it fired up. Spit and sputtered for a second, then cleared up and ran like a champ.
With ethanol gas, I would have to add some sea foam to the tank to get it to run if it sat for two weeks
One other problem we have had with those symptoms was a faulty fuel shut off solenoid. Ran fine until pressure was applied. That could have been an ethanol problem too.