pctdavis
New member
Hello,
Last year I bought a used Craftsman GT3000 garden tractor cira 1999 from what I can tell. This has a 25HP Kohler Engine in it. Lets just say, I knew it would take some work which is why I got it for the price I did. No problem. So far, I have replaced the flywheel (funny how the battery always died on the old owner) and replaced the head gaskets (stopped the smoking). Finally, the tractor is running pretty well. However, there is a lingering issue that I just cant solve.
While running, when I engage the mower deck, the engine really bogs down. It goes from running well under no load to really struggling (especially if going up hill). I tried the test where I pull off only the right spark plug (keeps running) and then pull off only the left spark plug (shuts off). The right spark plug does not show the carbon from 'ignition' that the left does but when I put a spark tester on, it gets plenty of spark. Everything looks and feels right, but it just seems that the right cylinder is weak and I cannot find the root cause. This I think would cause my "weak engine" issue when I put it under load.
Any ideas or thoughts? Thank you.
Last year I bought a used Craftsman GT3000 garden tractor cira 1999 from what I can tell. This has a 25HP Kohler Engine in it. Lets just say, I knew it would take some work which is why I got it for the price I did. No problem. So far, I have replaced the flywheel (funny how the battery always died on the old owner) and replaced the head gaskets (stopped the smoking). Finally, the tractor is running pretty well. However, there is a lingering issue that I just cant solve.
While running, when I engage the mower deck, the engine really bogs down. It goes from running well under no load to really struggling (especially if going up hill). I tried the test where I pull off only the right spark plug (keeps running) and then pull off only the left spark plug (shuts off). The right spark plug does not show the carbon from 'ignition' that the left does but when I put a spark tester on, it gets plenty of spark. Everything looks and feels right, but it just seems that the right cylinder is weak and I cannot find the root cause. This I think would cause my "weak engine" issue when I put it under load.
Any ideas or thoughts? Thank you.