Kohler Command Pro 30, no power, cylinder 1 extremely hotter than #2 Please help!!

[lawnrescue]

Ok just going to everyone up on what i'm dealing with.

I have a Bad Boy with a Kohler Command Pro 30 CV750-BS20 with 600hrs. About 3 weeks ago while cutting it started acting up and lost a little power. Then it cleared up. The next yard it did the same thing and just kept running bad like it was on one cylinder. I pulled the #2 plug and it looked fine. The #1 plug was white/brown and had alot of carbon on it that was white/brown and it was extremely HOT compared to #2 . I cleaned the plug and stuck it back in. I was able to finish that yard for the day. Brought it home picked up new plugs and cleaned the carb. It seemed to run better than ever for about an hour on my first yard and then crashed again. I tried doing the same as before, cleaned the carb and new plugs with no luck. Checked compression on #1=110lbs, #2=150lbs. I brought it to the shop and they checked it out and said i needed a new engine $2200. I didn't buy it and began doing some searching.

Talked to someone that said I could have a possible head gasket leak. I pulled the #1 head. The exhaust valve had alot of the same carbon build up that the plug had. I did a check and the exhaust valve was leaking. I brought it to a engine shop and they seated the valves and leveled the head. It looked brand new! I ordered a gasket set. Put it all back together with new plugs, intake, exhaust, and head gaskets. I cleaned the carb again while i had it apart. It still doing the same thing. It idles fine with no load but as soon as I engage the blades it barely has any power. After 3-5 mins of running the #1 cylinder is extremely hot compared to the #2 cylinder. After a compression test both cylinders are at 150 lbs now. The valve job fixed the compression loss but why won't it run right? Why is it so hot on the #1 side? or is the #2 cylinder not firing off like it should? I'm in a major bind and any help would be appreciated Thanks!

 

[Carl_NH]

lawnrescue,

You have a puzzling situation and have done a lot of digging and repairs already. I can think of only a few things.

1. Ignition coil - if side 1 is not getting enough spark to fully ignite the gas
2. Insufficient air to the # 1 side running rich in fuel or too much air causing it to run lean
3. Obstruction in the intake or exhaust ?
4. Improper cooling / dirty fins - this is obvious tho

I think when a engine is run "lean" it is also hotter if I recall correctly.

This is a tough one..

 

[RandyT]

The cool cylinder isn't firing correctly. Possibly the ignition module is cutting out when it gets hot on the colder cylinder. Need to check for fire on that cylinder when it is running poorly.