Kawasaki Vtwin Not Running Right, Reliably

[avc8130]

This season the 23hp Kawasake FH680V on my Ferris zero turn has been acting up. It starts easily, and runs decently...normally. Often, mid mowing it will begin to start "cutting out" and running irregularly making significantly less power. It will "clear" itself and generally resume running smoothly for a while and then revert again. Here is a video of what it sounds like at full throttle (no load) as it cycles from running well to not:

Not running nice. - YouTube

The carb is clear, the fuel is brand new (I've run multiple tanks with it like this).

Suggestions?

ac

 

[MossRoad]

Check you governor linkages, perhaps?

 

[amaxwell]

This season the 23hp Kawasake FH680V on my Ferris zero turn has been acting up. It starts easily, and runs decently...normally. Often, mid mowing it will begin to start "cutting out" and running irregularly making significantly less power. It will "clear" itself and generally resume running smoothly for a while and then revert again. Here is a video of what it sounds like at full throttle (no load) as it cycles from running well to not:

Not running nice. - YouTube

The carb is clear, the fuel is brand new (I've run multiple tanks with it like this).

Suggestions?

ac

My Gravely dealer said they had had problems with fuel filters on some kaw. engines . Cheap trial to see if it helps.

 

[JohnBuffaloMN]

I can't tell with your video, but is it running on one cylinder or are both dogging due to lack of air or fuel? I've had the wire come loose on my coil causing intermittent single cylinder (FD590V) - quite noticeable when running and because my engine is in a JD tractor very easy to see and fix. It's lack of fuel, air or proper ignition that will be your problem but all those options!

 

[Beltzington]

I had fuel filter issues on one of my Kawasaki engines and your problem does not sound like fuel starvation is the cause. It sounds like the engine is idling down on it's own. MossRoad suggestion sounds like a good starting point. Good Luck!

 

[uglyboywith11fingers]

I've got a FD590V in my 1998 Kubota TG1860G.
Years ago, I had periods when this engine would act as if it were starving... and then act as if it were running rich...
I discovered the float in the float bowl is not a sealed brass float but made of black plastic or something similar.
I suspect it had reacted with ethanol in the gas and swelled up a bit, and was rubbing against the inside of the carb casting... sometimes it would hang up and not open the needle valve, starving the engine, other times it would not go all the way up to close the valve, causing the engine to get too much fuel.
don't know if the carb design is similar in the newer Kawi's.

Pete

 

[WVBill]

Check your air filter. I had a 23hp Kawasake FH680V on my ZTR that started running badly after I changed the oil and filters. Turns out that there are two filters available - one with and one without some kind of venting. I don't remember which one worked but it mattered. Get one with the EXACT OEM Part number.

 

[ruffdog]

My Gravely dealer said they had had problems with fuel filters on some kaw. engines . Cheap trial to see if it helps.

Neighbor's Deere w/Kaw engine had a fuel filter issue. The filtering element inside was loose (move around inside plastic body) so it allowed junk to the carb. I replaced the filter and cleaned ALL hoses, pump, and carb.

 

[tomplum]

I'd bet dollars to donuts that JohnBuffaloMN is correct that one cylinder is losing its spark. This can be a spark plug or a coil. It looks to be a 2 BBL carb, so carb issue is possible - though much less likely than a coil would be.

 

[tomplum]

I'd bet dollars to donuts that JohnBuffaloMN is correct that one cylinder is losing its spark. This can be a spark plug or a coil. It looks to be a 2 BBL carb, so carb issue is possible - though much less likely than a coil would be. You may be able to tell which one by inspecting the plugs. cylinder or exhaust pipe temp if you have an IR thermometer or obviously a spark tester or inductive tach.