loses power after a few minutes

[buffaloman 295]

So all of a sudden my C-120 will start to lose power ,backfires a few times, and shuts off. I can start it right back up and it will do the same thing all over again.I replaces the condenser, the coil ,the ground wire and checked the points and reset them. any other ideas? Thanks 

[Hacksawhero123 351]

My ammeter shorted out and was doing something similar to that. 

 

Mark

[buffaloman 295]

5 minutes ago, Hacksawhero123 said:

My ammeter shorted out and was doing something similar to that. 

 

Mark

never even thought of that .thanks ill be checking that out.

 

[Tractorhead 9,215]

Is compression right ?

Think this can be faulty valvesettings, maybe didn‘t close tightly.

[wallfish 18,792]

In addition to above

Flooding of fuel will also cause that condition.

An intermittent electrical problem? with a safety switch? ground?

 

More details might help with internet diagnosis.

Does it run for 2 hours then this begins or right away or 5 minutes. Sometimes? all the time? this condition started to happen suddenly? or slowly progressed over time? Or after some service work was done on it? Happens while sitting still? or mowing the grass? Only when PTO is engaged? Original Kohler engine? replacement engine?

[Hacksawhero123 351]

The power for the ignition is seriesed through the ammeter. Mine was rotten inside (43 years old, go figure) and vibration was causing the somewhat intermittent failure. I happened to see some sparks in it in the low lighting. For now, it’s just bypassed. Best of luck to you. 

 

Mark

[Hacksawhero123 351]

Question.....  Does it try to run as long as you’re on the starter, but dies as soon as you let go of the switch?

[lynnmor 8,271]

Loosen the gas cap and try again.

[Tractorhead 9,215]

Maybe simpler issues? 

When did you last time checked the Air filter?

Fuelfilter ( if there is one in) ?

maybe some rust in the Fueltank?

 

[RetroMower 350]

11 hours ago, Hacksawhero123 said:

Question.....  Does it try to run as long as you’re on the starter, but dies as soon as you let go of the switch?

My c100 does this and backfires if it starts. How difficult is it to bypass the ammeter as you have done? 

[Hacksawhero123 351]

Just bypass it. Splice the two wires together and insulate them. 

 

Mark.