Cold Weather Starting

BobRip · Jan 18, 2009

duane said:
Idabe,

Certainly sounds like a fuel issue. The new gas has a 10% ethanol mixture which really attracts water. An analogy is that 10 gallons of fuel has one gallon of ethanol, the one gallon of ethanol is equal to approx 12 bottles of Heet or similiar gas anti-freeze. Too much water, and the ethanol will separate from the gas in a heavier mixture and cause running problems.

Other than that, it could be anything from the gas line, fuel filter, fuel pump, anti diesel solenoid or pluggage in the carb. Give everything a good visual inspection. Good luck and let us know what you find.

Definitely a fuel issue. Check the outlet on the bottom of the tank. That can get clogged with trash. Also it could be the fuel pump. Should have about 1 PSI or greater output. Also change the fuel filter.

MossRoad · Jan 18, 2009

SnowRidge said:
Our Kohlers call for a special plug which nobody seems to stock, Champion Platinum 3071. I had to get mine from Napa. It took them a day or two.

Watch out for substitutions. Some brands list a non platinum plug as a direct substitute for the 3071. As a test, see if the chart lists the same plug as a sub for both the Champ 3071 and RC12YC. If it does, it is likely to be only a true substitute for the plain RC12YC.

Thanks for the tip. A couple years ago I bought a air filter/spark plug all-in-one kit for the air cleaner. I never used the plugs. I dug them out of my box O' parts today. They are Champion RC12YC.

SnowRidge · Jan 19, 2009

The RC12YC plugs are used in some of the Kohlers, but I'm not sure which ones. The platinum plugs are spec'd for the Command Pro models.

MossRoad · Jan 19, 2009

SnowRidge said:
The RC12YC plugs are used in some of the Kohlers, but I'm not sure which ones. The platinum plugs are spec'd for the Command Pro models.

I know it is a Kohler Command, but I'm not sure if it is a Pro. I'll have to look.

KentT · Jan 19, 2009

MossRoad said:
I know it is a Kohler Command, but I'm not sure if it is a Pro. I'll have to look.

Not sure, but I think the only difference in the CH's is that the Command Pro had an external oil cooler down near the oil filter.

PILOON · Jan 19, 2009

Could the problem be carb iceing?

Carbs, as you know, have a venturi body.
In certain conditions the air rushing in the venturi will freeze if moist enough thus throttling or choking the venturi.
Warm air to the intake is the usual cure. Some carb equipped cars had 'heat riser tubes' to preheat the carb intake air.
Also cold damp air can cause the spark plug gap to frost over thus shorting the plug.
In old dew line days the pilots would keep engine plugs with them in the sleeping bag overnite.

I recall times when my old VW beetle would loose power from carb icing.

MossRoad · Jan 20, 2009

PILOON said:
Could the problem be carb iceing?

Carbs, as you know, have a venturi body.
In certain conditions the air rushing in the venturi will freeze if moist enough thus throttling or choking the venturi.
Warm air to the intake is the usual cure. Some carb equipped cars had 'heat riser tubes' to preheat the carb intake air.
Also cold damp air can cause the spark plug gap to frost over thus shorting the plug.
In old dew line days the pilots would keep engine plugs with them in the sleeping bag overnite.

I recall times when my old VW beetle would loose power from carb icing.

A heat riser tube will only help once the engine is running and the exhaust manifold gets hot enough to create warm air around it. I had one on a 70 Nova. It rusted off and we never noticed a difference!

I have heard of plugs frosting over, but only on airplanes. Hmmm... those were air cooled engines. In the winter, we ALWAYS pre-heated them with the dragon (propane powered heat unit with flame proof flexible metal heat ducts) for about 10-15 minutes before starting them. Hmmmm.... my Kohler and the others' Robin engines are air cooled.... Hmmmmm...... maybe we should pre-heat?

Dang gum it!!! Why does it take so long for me to realize these things????

Red Dragon Propane Engine Preheaters

OUCH! $500.00 and up!

SnowRidge · Jan 20, 2009

MossRoad said:
A heat riser tube will only help once the engine is running and the exhaust manifold gets hot enough to create warm air around it. I had one on a 70 Nova. It rusted off and we never noticed a difference!

I have heard of plugs frosting over, but only on airplanes. Hmmm... those were air cooled engines. In the winter, we ALWAYS pre-heated them with the dragon (propane powered heat unit with flame proof flexible metal heat ducts) for about 10-15 minutes before starting them. Hmmmm.... my Kohler and the others' Robin engines are air cooled.... Hmmmmm...... maybe we should pre-heat?

Dang gum it!!! Why does it take so long for me to realize these things????

Red Dragon Propane Engine Preheaters

OUCH! $500.00 and up!

Install this and pretend your PT has wings.

cqaigy2 · Jan 20, 2009

My motor cycle was air cooled and it always started. I think the coldest i can remember riding it was -11 when it got to -40 just couldn't wear enough cloths to keep warm at 50+mph

BobRip · Jan 20, 2009

cqaigy2 said:
My motor cycle was air cooled and it always started. I think the coldest i can remember riding it was -11 when it got to -40 just couldn't wear enough cloths to keep warm at 50+mph

Does your motor cycle have to drive a hydraulic pump when cranking? Basically the starter motors are sized to start a cold engine with no mechanical load, although the larger starter on on my Robin engine did not seem to help. After one failure to start, I moved the machine back to the heated garage.

Moss, could you use a torpedo heater to heat the engine? Would a hair dryer on the air intake help. Has anyone tried that? Preheat the intake for a few minutes and keep it blowing while cranking. You could also preheat the fuel line and help a little more.