Craftsman LT2000 Kohler 17.5hp Motor - Trouble Idling, Power Issues

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Kohler Tractor Engines

Kohler makes the gas powered engines for many different riding mowers & garden tractors both for home owners and professionals.

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Adam Schaeffer @adamschaeffer

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Craftsman LT2000 Kohler 17.5hp Motor - Trouble Idling, Power Issues

So can anyone diagnose what may be the problem with this mower? I inherited it and the previous owner reported it was very hard to start and took 10-15 minutes of cranking before it would catch. I took apart the carburetor and cleaned that real well, replaced the spark plug. It drives around ok but when at the top of a small hill started losing power and nearly stalled out. When I finally got it to start it was very loud and just my opinion sounded like what I think is a timing problem, but I apologize for the vague question I’m not sure where to start. Can someone tell me if that’s a good guess, how to fix it, and what other things I might look for if that’s not the problem?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcJW9KzR...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVGS0ike...

This is my motor information

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Is your muffler plugged or your breather

Joan Porter 의 2020년 7월 16일

If you hear a clinking or clanking noise internally that's definitely not normal and sounds like metal against metal which will at some point be fatal to the engine . Some engines won't idle or run very well if they are low on oil also . Safety feature so it doesn't get blown up .

tnrebel Hix 의 2021년 4월 7일

The EPA has required the manufactures to pass clean air emissions in the small engine industry . They are running the engines so lean that after some break in periods they run like crap or are hard starting . Most no longer have any adjustments for the carburetor . The small hill issue very much points to that . If your dealer can’t or won’t fix it , lookup a new carburetor part number on kohlers web site . Use that part number on Ebay to find an adjustable replacement carb . The other option is use jet drills and make a larger hole in the main jet (jets ) . Not recommended as an owner operator fix .

Jim Darnell 의 2021년 5월 20일

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oldturkey03 @oldturkey03

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Adam Schaeffer that sounds more like an issue with either the valvetrain or the piston (rings etc.)Craftsman used 3 different Kohler engines on this model. Kohler Command Single CV490S-27508 and CV492S-27506 as well as Kohler Courage SV490-0004 We’d need to know the exact engine used on yours. Do a compression test on your engine as well as a leakdown to see if it has valve or piston issues. I would suggest you pop the valve cover off and take a look at things on there. Check something like this manual for a better understanding Kohler CV engine servic emanual

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Thank you. I downloaded a mower manual but that isn't very helpful. This service manual is far better. I'll post a photo of the motor information plate below, if that helps narrow any advice down.

Adam Schaeffer 의 2020년 1월 24일

@Adam Schaeffer thanks for the picture. It validates that we posted the right manual. It will not narrow this down. Troubleshooting things are the hardest part of the job. I am still leaning toward the top end having issues.

oldturkey03 의 2020년 1월 24일

There can only be a timing issue if the key in the crankshaft keyway is broken (and I have seen this although rare) otherwise timing is fixed. The more likely problem is a ignition coil. They will also cause this problem after the mower warms up but it will continue to run normal on start-up. The coils are cheap and easy to replace. Use a business card to space the coil from the flywheel.

billknight 의 2023년 6월 18일

Mine was doing the same thing so I replaced the vented fuel cap…Because the gasket had deteriorated and left little black pieces in the bottom of the fuel tank… after I finish those little pieces out put the new cap on and started right up! But that was short-lived because the first hill I started to go up it started to spit and sputter again and eventually stalled again! So I looked at the gas cap again and everything looked fine, of course but I did notice that the fuel hose in the tank was kind of short and guess what…it was short! So not only had the cap gasket deteriorated, but so had the fuel hose! So then I decided to order the whole carburetor. Kit rebuild has a piece of hose on it all kinds of filters and it hasn’t come in the mail yet! So I guess there’s gonna be a part two of this comment… Later!

Socrates 의 2025년 10월 15일

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If you hear a clinking or clanking noise internally that's definitely not normal and sounds like metal against metal which will at some point be fatal to the engine . Some engines won't idle or run very well if they are low on oil also . Safety feature so it doesn't get blown up . — tnrebel Hix
The EPA has required the manufactures to pass clean air emissions in the small engine industry . They are running the engines so lean that after some break in periods they run like crap or are hard starting . Most no longer have any adjustments for the carburetor . The small hill issue very much points to that . If your dealer can’t or won’t fix it , lookup a new carburetor part number on kohlers web site . Use that part number on Ebay to find an adjustable replacement carb . The other option is use jet drills and make a larger hole in the main jet (jets ) . Not recommended as an owner operator fix . — Jim Darnell
Thank you. I downloaded a mower manual but that isn't very helpful. This service manual is far better. I'll post a photo of the motor information plate below, if that helps narrow any advice down. — Adam Schaeffer
@Adam Schaeffer thanks for the picture. It validates that we posted the right manual. It will not narrow this down. Troubleshooting things are the hardest part of the job. I am still leaning toward the top end having issues. — oldturkey03
There can only be a timing issue if the key in the crankshaft keyway is broken (and I have seen this although rare) otherwise timing is fixed. The more likely problem is a ignition coil. They will also cause this problem after the mower warms up but it will continue to run normal on start-up. The coils are cheap and easy to replace. Use a business card to space the coil from the flywheel. — billknight
Mine was doing the same thing so I replaced the vented fuel cap…Because the gasket had deteriorated and left little black pieces in the bottom of the fuel tank… after I finish those little pieces out put the new cap on and started right up! But that was short-lived because the first hill I started to go up it started to spit and sputter again and eventually stalled again! So I looked at the gas cap again and everything looked fine, of course but I did notice that the fuel hose in the tank was kind of short and guess what…it was short! So not only had the cap gasket deteriorated, but so had the fuel hose! So then I decided to order the whole carburetor. Kit rebuild has a piece of hose on it all kinds of filters and it hasn’t come in the mail yet! So I guess there’s gonna be a part two of this comment… Later! — Socrates

Anthony Dingus @anthonydingus 평판: 1 · Answer 1 · 2020-04-22T20:26:05-07:00

Anthony Dingus @anthonydingus

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게시됨: 2020년 4월 22일

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I have a 97 wheelhorse with koler 12.5 commander I just bought it sounded like a timing or valve train problem pecking a little and not running smoothly and would not idle

I still not sure what's wrong but it has something to do with the governor I just happened to be checking carb and I grabbed the governor and reved the motor heard a metal clank and it smooth out completely and idles fine and Everytime I start it now I just reach down rev motor and it runs fine till I shut it off

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B L @yb47hrgqs6dsrvf 평판: 1 · Answer 2 · 2021-04-10T20:09:09-07:00

B L @yb47hrgqs6dsrvf

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게시됨: 2021년 4월 10일

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Possibly has water in the fuel. Especially if it's been sitting for extended periods…

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Yeah, bad gas… Don’t forget to change the in-line filter! Drain whatever old fuel you haven’t tried to use into a can and use it to light your fire pit! And go to the gas station and get some 91 octane but only as much as you’re going to use in 30 days! Fresh fuel makes a huge difference! Happy trails…

Socrates 의 2025년 10월 15일

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Kohler Tractor Engines

Craftsman LT2000 Kohler 17.5hp Motor - Trouble Idling, Power Issues

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