12 replies to this topic

[td dad]

I have a Wheel Horse 216 that runs for 10 min then dies, after 1 hour it will restart.  I have replaced the coil, capasitor, carborater and fuel lines.  Open to suggestions on what to try next.:confuse:

[mjodrey]

:welcometogttalk: td dad, glad to have you here.

[tractormike]

Welcome to the forum td dad! A couple of things for you to try. Is there a vent in the fuel tank cap and is it open? Another thing I have run into with the Kohler k series engines is if the exhaust valve stem is carboned up it might stick in the valve guide after the engine gets warmed up. When it sticks open the engine will not run. After the engine sits for a while and cools down the valve lets loose and it will run again until it warms up again. Good luck!

[NUTNDUN]

Welcome to GTtalk td dad. You are in good hands with these guys.

I would check the vent in the fuel cap like Mike suggested first, quick way would be to just run it without the cap on as long as the tank isn't too full and going to splash fuel everywhere. With everything else that you replaced it may be time to tear in to it a little more and at least take the head off.

You didn't mention spark plug or spark plug wire, I would also at least try a new plug and borrow a spark plug wire if you can just to test before tearing in to the motor.

[td dad]

I put an inductive timing light on and ran it til it died. it showed that the spark quit killing the engine
Has new plugs and wires:confuse:

[NUTNDUN]

Can you check to see if you still have spark after it warms up and shuts off on it's own? If it still has spark after it shuts off on it's own then you can basically rule out the electronic side of things. I would check the vent for the fuel tank next if it has spark after shutting off on it's own.

[olcowhand]

NUTNDUN said:

Can you check to see if you still have spark after it warms up and shuts off on it's own? If it still has spark after it shuts off on it's own then you can basically rule out the electronic side of things. I would check the vent for the fuel tank next if it has spark after shutting off on it's own.

Yep, new parts doesn't always mean working parts.  New coil could be defective.  If she still has good spark after dying, do as above have stated.  also possible the valve clearances are too tight, then after warming they will close the gap even more as valves expand, so valves could be held just a tiny tick open after getting to full temps.

[td dad]

After it shuts off there is no spark. I also tried with no gas cap with same results

Edited by td dad, April 12, 2010 - 05:20 PM.

[poncho62]

You didn't mention points, so I figure its electronic ignition.....Something in there is breaking down with the heat....Coil is the most likely suspect......I dot know much about Wheelhorse...Is the coil induced by the flywheel?...Is that gap correct?

[NUTNDUN]

Well at least you know it isn't internal. I would check another coil, just because you got a new one doesn't mean it is good. It is going to be some trial and error. You mentioned capacitor, do you mean the condenser? Make sure nothing is grounding out in the points box when it gets warm.

[olcowhand]

If all original, it should have points.

[Bolens 1000]

:welcometogttalk:
There is some great advice given in the posts above.
I cant think of anything else to add at the moment.

[NUTNDUN]

How have you made out with it td dad?