Kohler 17 loose spark plugs

[mikeR 0]

Evening, all

I have a C-175, 1984 vintage, with the Kohler KT-17S twin. When I changed the oil and put the mower deck on it last month, the spark plugs were loose- as in finger loose. I tightened them up- with great fear of stripping an aluminum head- and mowed with it. After second mowing, plugs are loose again (crap!). Any solutions other than inserts or new heads? Heads still have threads, and tighten up.

Mike from Florida

[Coadster32 793]

New plugs with new crush washer attached. It acts like a lock washer. I don't think thread locker would be good in this case. Good luck.

[Kelly 1,033]

Try new plugs , but if you need heads get with me I'll make you a good deal on a pair.

[Coadster32 793]

If the heads are the problem, you could heli-coil them out. (hardened inserts). If the plugs are really loose while threading them in or out, chances are this would fix the problem. New plugs is where to start though.

[mikeR 0]

Thanks for the advice, all. Pulled out the manual; the sales person had highlighted all the service for the tractor (back in 1984). He had written in several plug choices- I got a set of Autolite 26's, and put them in. Shoulder was completely different than the Lowes plugs I had put in when I got the tractor- and the Autolites went down solid. Since the tractor had been running crappy, I decided to check the points- did a light buff with emery cloth and then the engine wouldn't start. Got out the feeler gauges, set the points carefully to 0.020- no go. Ended up doing the old style tap-and-try, finally got it running, locked the screw down and closed the cover. Running with incorrect gap setting sure beats not running with correct spec setting....