C-100 can't keep running

[PGRNPA 0]

I have a C-100 poss. a 1973 with a 10 hp Kohler and was blowing snow yesterday when I lost power and shut down.  Very difficult restarting and once started very difficult to keep running.  After a while at idle was able to throttle up and get back in the garage.  Runs ok a for a little and than becomes difficult to keep running.

 

Many years ago I remember similar situation and my brother-in-law said he had replaced points.  I think I have found them but can they be cleaned up or how do I change them?  Or am I barking up the wrong tree?  Any help appreciated, have about 2' of snow with more falling today....

[wallfish 18,242]

Sounds like a fuel issue to me since it will run OK and then run bad.  

 

Clogged vent in gas cap - try and run with cap off

clogged fuel filter or screen in the tank - visually inspect

water in the carb bowl - drop the bowl and inspect

gummed up carb - clean carb

fuel pump problem - turn over engine while the bowl is off and fuel should pump. ( use a rag or container to catch it)

 

 

Also check for loose wires. Check for spark when it dies out.

You can clean the points vs replacing them. For a quick points cleaning use a sliver of fine grit sandpaper (220 to 400) Rotate the engine until the points are completely closed. Insert sliver of sandpaper between them, let points close and slide out the sandpaper. Repeat a couple of times for each side.

[rmaynard 16,372]

I have always had a super good running K241S on my worker B-100, but after plowing over 30" of snow in the last week, it too suddenly decided to start running poorly. So this morning I have put it in the garage, and I am doing the following:

 

1. Drain the fuel tank and check for water or dirt in the gas, and inspect the cap vent

2. Replace the fuel filter

3. Pull the carburetor and

    a. inspect for gunk in the bowl;

    b. pull the needle valves to inspect and clean;

    c. replace float valve and gaskets

4. Check, clean and regap the point

5. Replace the spark plug.

 

Simple maintenance that hasn't been done for about three years.

 

Your C-100 has the same engine and fuel tank as mine, and my guess is that if you do all the things that I have listed above, you will have it running just fine again.

[Don1977 605]

On the C-Series like your tractor it could also be the fuel pump going bad. I had trouble with my tractor it would run for a short time then quit. Let it set a while and it start and run a while then quit.

[Ed Kennell 42,169]

Classic fuel starvation symptoms.  Start at the carb and work back to the tank.    Pull the fuel line off at the carb and crank it in a container. If you get good spurts there, clean the carb jets. If no fuel there, pull the line off the inlet to the fuel pump. If you have fuel there , replace or rebuild the fuel pump .If no fuel to the fuel pump replace fuel filters in the fuel line and the screen in the tank.

[PGRNPA 0]

Thanks all for the tips, have cleaned the points and still have the issue.  So starting at the carb. and working backwards this afternoon, will let you know how it turns out!  RMAYNARD, you mentioned regapping the point, what is the correct gap?

[stevasaurus 23,303]

Correct gap is .020, but sometime the older Kohlers will run better at around .018. 

[Wheel-N-It 2,976]

Steve is correct about that point gap. Sometimes it will help to quiet down a noisy engine too.

Of course if it does, that means a rebuild is probably in order.

Edited February 24, 2014 by Wheel-N-It

[Fordiesel69 271]

Always work from the tank to the carb.  The shutoff valve on the bottom of the tank pulls out, there is a screen that plugs solid, or for that matter, breaks off completely.  On the C100 it is still rubber fitting I believe but there may not be a screen.  Aside from that, I have had the inside of the fuel line decompose and restrict fuel.  Took forever to figure that one out.

 

Lastly