KT17 starting issue

[Pickle 43]

After mowing the three acre yard I stopped my 417A next to the house and went inside for a cold beverage. Time passed quickly in the cool A/C of the house and I didn't make it back outdoors for a couple of hours. It was nearing dark when I did emerge from the house and I took my garden hose and sprayed off the 417A, then raised the hood and sprayed more water, washing away the days dirt and grass clippings. The tractor quickly started up and I drove it 150 feet to the garage, and once inside I shut it off and went back to the house. The next day it rained and several days later I was back in the garage ready to get my Wheel Horse back outdoors in the sunshine.  

 

It wouldn't start! I tried pulling a plug and holding it against the metal frame. No spark.

I decided some of the engine wash water or condensation must've made it inside the points cover weep hole. After removing the points cover and wiping the points dry/clean and replacing the cover it did start but misses terribly at higher rpm. The points were new Kohler points three months ago, installed during the rebuild. Is there something about water that can ruin a set of points?

[oldredrider 2,553]

To me, it sounds more like condensor issue than points. If it idles fine but is rough running at higher rpm's, replace the condensor. Let us know what you find.

[smoreau 658]

Recheck the gap. The point might be burnt. Had the same thing last year with my 417 and the points were fried 5 days after a wash.

[WH nut 553]

Check coil and wires to see if its arcing, fire it up when dark and use a spray bottle.

[boovuc 1,090]

Hi Pickle,

 

Still glad to hear that 417 is purring regardless of a set back or two.

 

Here is one thing I have learned on all my KT engines I had. (One to be exact). Never ever spray the engine with water. I know there are a few guys here that do and there are a lot of guys that will do it with a pressure washer on a new piece of equipment which is perfectly OK but I never wash down the engine on any of my tractors. (IMHO and this is a possible can of worms on this site). 

Now to the issue and my two cents since you asked in a way!

 

Before you sprayed it, it sat and cooled down and since you only moved it 150 feet, the engine wasn't hot when you put water on it. (Not that you want to put cold water on a hot aluminum engine anyway). You hosed down the engine then put it away. The next day it rained so it is very humid and the engine didn't dry out. The humidity in your garage is probably still up there due to the weather and it being closed up and the engine never dried out! If the engine compartment is still damp, that still may be the center of the rough engine.

Change the condenser and check for a burnt point gap as was suggested. After that, fire it up and get it nice and hot and above all......dry. When you know it's nice and dry and the points are OK and the condenser is changed and it still is acting up and you ran the engine in a perfectly dark environment and you see no arching or sparking around the coil and plug wires, I would next look at fuel. Fill the tank with fresh High Octane and give it some Seafoam in case all that bathing and the humidity decided to add some moisture to your fuel system.   

[Pickle 43]

Thanks everyone for your input. I ran it enough that it was hot & dry and it still sputters. I'll try your suggestions once I get some time away from work.

Edited June 7, 2014 by Pickle

[Pickle 43]

I ran the engine after dark and from the sparks arcing I learned that I had simple overlooked reattaching the condensor to it's grounding bolt. As it lay upon the engine bouncing around it lost ground at times and made the engine miss.

 

All is well.

 

Thanks!

Edited June 7, 2014 by Pickle