7mtvessel@gmail.com 0 #1 Posted May 12, 2024 (edited) My little 877 stalls intermittently. I just replaced the diaphragm and touched up the check valves thinking it wasn't getting fuel all the time. There seems to be no specific trigger to the stalling. it could happen in 30 second or after 30 minutes. I've checked the gas cap breather it is open allowing air to pass into the tank. Could it be the points or condenser? Seem too sporadic to be the points. But I'm not a mechanic, just pretty good with small engines. This has really got me stumped. If you think it might be the condenser what would be a compatible condenser to use. Edited May 12, 2024 by 7mtvessel@gmail.com Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rmaynard 16,290 #2 Posted May 12, 2024 59 minutes ago, 7mtvessel@gmail.com said: My little 877 stalls intermittently. I just replaced the diaphragm and touched up the check valves thinking it wasn't getting fuel all the time. There seems to be no specific trigger to the stalling. it could happen in 30 second or after 30 minutes. I've checked the gas cap breather it is open allowing air to pass into the tank. Could it be the points or condenser? Seem too sporadic to be the points. But I'm not a mechanic, just pretty good with small engines. This has really got me stumped. If you think it might be the condenser what would be a compatible condenser to use. Three things are need to keep your K-181 running. 1. Fuel; 2. Spark; 3. Compression. I'm going to rule out compression because you should not lose enough compression for the engine to just stop. Fuel seems like the most likely cause. Your 877 is basically gravity fed, meaning the carburetor is level or below the output of the gas tank. The fuel pump is only there because Kohler engines are use in many other applications where the fuel tank may not be higher than the engine. However, if the fuel pump is not working, it can tend to block the fuel. Remove the hose going from the output of the pump to the carburetor. Have someone crank the engine while you hold the end of the hose into a container. How's the flow? if it's strong? If so, I'd rule out the pump. Next step is to remove the carburetor. Take the bowl off and see if the float valve is sticking shut, While it's apart, just replace the valve and seat and gaskets. If everything looks okay there, move on to Spark. The 877 is battery ignition, meaning it must have a 12 volt source to run. The battery provides the 12 volts. however if it loses it's charge, and the starter/generator is not recharging it, the engine will stop. But that doesn't seem the case because you can restart it at some point. With the key on, you should have 12 volts at the wire that connects to the plus side of the coil. A coil can break down internally and stop working. Try cleaning and gapping the points to .020, and replace the condenser. It's a standard unit available at any small engine shop or Amazon or eBay. https://www.amazon.com/Points-Condenser-Kohler-Engines-230722/dp/B019EK9KPW/ref=sr_1_3?crid=XAQOS5KPJRTZ&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.2rZBJnUb25S3TPHJp3EsrxgmjDRbRJ7DmKyIFYd1vUjBUpZRdrioikcy8T75WcDe4e7QAmf4z3dDDEKK0YVXPPfip3oBhfHa6wopBTjRhYHWLWMbD-JNLM4Fydiaxz08120fKBc0JvIZonyKk5s27uZ8YUEuujvr2KGlTMXwUoBgJRm7EB9dckM8XmMmZF_gPq30cwGWY_zSDaiWgt3aHtyyDUAi4WFqZdKjPSJYj9E.iam3gTmqZdJR3dTbHGDSERCqe3L-AHPGMgaZIxzramI&dib_tag=se&keywords=kohler+k181+points+and+condenser&qid=1715528808&sprefix=kohler+condenser%2Caps%2C158&sr=8-3 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
