scag turf tiger with kohler 27 engine hesitation problems

[rhkester]

"I have a 2 yr old scag turf tiger with a 61 inch deck and kohler command engine with about 300 hours of residential use. The last 2 times during mowing, the engine starting losing power and hesitating after about 1hour of use. The engine runs fine for the first hour but then starts to hesitate or bog down sporadically, especially when executing a turn and especially when moving the steering bars in opposite directions. As hydraulic pressure is increased by pulling both levers in opposite directions the motor bogs down and eventually stops. I keep the mower clean and serviced with always sharp blades. I thought it was a fuel starvation problem and changed the fuel filter last week. Oil and hyd. fluid have been recently changed and are full.
I am baffled because I have never seen this type of problem before. Thanks. RK"

 

[elad]

Maybe try cleaning air filter and replacing the spark plug-plugs.

Also be sure engine covers are not restricting air flow to cause

over heating. Assuming engine is gasoline fueled for plug

change. Had same problem with different make gas engine.

Above suggestion, solved problem. GOOD LUCK
elad

 

[DieselPower]

As long as the air and fuel delivery are ok I would say it kind of sounds like something in the govoner is sticking. I would make sure the govoner linkage isn't sticking.

 

[Ken Cunningham]

Had a tiller that ran fine until it got hot. Just about drove me crazy finding the problem. Turned out to be the spark plug. Done know how or why but it quit working when it got real hot.

 

[Txhosstrader]

If none of the above suggestions work for you, go to the Precise Engine Repair Forum at Small Engine Technical Forum :: Index They have a great forum for small engines with a bunch of experienced professional small engine mechanics and Reps. from all over the country. Good Luck!

 

[Gary Fowler]

I second the change the plugs advice. My 2 year old outboard 4 stroke boat motor had a similar problem in that it would run fine then start stalling down and have no power, then it would come back, just like a fuel starvation problem. I tried everything, then decided to take it to a boat shop. I stopped by to schedule an appointment and was talking to the mechanic and he said, change the plugs. Even though I was skeptical, having pulled them and cleaned and regapped them (they looked perfect) I bought a set and installed them. PROBLEM SOLVED.

 

[Volfandt]

Concur on the plug(s). Had a similar situation just last night. I was sicklemowing using my single cylinder kohler powered Wheel Horse when after approx an hr or so it just died. It wouldn't restart, not even try too. Just turn over & over.
1st check was fuel and it had plenty. Next was to check for spark, I pulled the plug wire at the plug, inserted a phillips into the wire, held it very close to the plug then turned the engine over, no spark.
I then repositioned the phillips to just barely over a good ground point on the engine and got good blue spark.
Humm, must be a bad plug, so I walk back to the shop get a known good one, bring it along with a plug wrench and install it and she starts and runs great.
I finish the mowing and after I let everything cool down a bit I reinstall the "bad" plug and it fires right on up!
I've determined that when that plugs heats up enough it must expand enough to open up somewhere inside causing it to fail.
Long story short, yours sounds similar enough that along with others, you should change out your plugs, which is one of the cheap easy fixes

 

[topsprincess13]

"I have a 2 yr old scag turf tiger with a 61 inch deck and kohler command engine with about 300 hours of residential use. The last 2 times during mowing, the engine starting losing power and hesitating after about 1hour of use. The engine runs fine for the first hour but then starts to hesitate or bog down sporadically, especially when executing a turn and especially when moving the steering bars in opposite directions. As hydraulic pressure is increased by pulling both levers in opposite directions the motor bogs down and eventually stops. I keep the mower clean and serviced with always sharp blades. I thought it was a fuel starvation problem and changed the fuel filter last week. Oil and hyd. fluid have been recently changed and are full.
I am baffled because I have never seen this type of problem before. Thanks. RK"

Hello, we just bought a house and the Scag Turf Tiger 61" mower was part of the deal..Today I decided to try it out and ended up running into the same problem as you described. So I'm taking your advice and getting some new plugs and hope it works!

 

[Alan L.]

Plugs or plug wires fail under load. That would be the first and cheapest thing to look at.

 

[topsprincess13]

Well put new plugs in and the problem is still there. Gonna see if store has fuel filter and am gonna change the oil and oil filter. Very discouraging!! My engine is a Kawasaki