Lake Delhi 2 #1 Posted June 17, 2019 I have a 16HP Kohler in my C160. Every once in a while it will backfire then quit running. When I let it set for 20 minutes or so it will start back up and run fine. I was wonder if the points, condenser, or coil could be the problem? Thanks, Tyler 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ZXT 2,401 #2 Posted June 18, 2019 (edited) You say its periodically? If it's periodic, that makes it harder to make an accurate guess. If it were the coil going bad, it should do it every time - it would run for a while, the coil would heat up, engine would die, and then it would start up after it cooled off. Condensers generally either work or they don't, so I doubt it's that. Unless some debris or oil is getting on the points, I wouldn't assume points either. When it does this, does it have spark? That would be the first thing I'd check and go from there. Edited June 18, 2019 by ZXT 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rmaynard 16,299 #3 Posted June 18, 2019 Not sure about the backfire, but the other symptom sounds like a clogged gas cap vent. When it stops next time, take the gas cap off. Try starting. If it starts, you have a clogged vent in the cap. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ericj 1,579 #4 Posted June 18, 2019 I had a 312-A with a 12 hp magnum on it that did something like that. turned out it was the valves sticking from carbon when it got hot. ran fine when it was cold eric j 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
