Need help with a 16HP Kohler 2 cylinder engine

[travlitt]

I have a 16HP kohler 2 cylinder engine that runs on one cylinder. It has new plugs. Both cylinders fire when they supposed to. 1 cylinder makes power and the other one does not make more than 25% power. I checked the compresson on both cylinders and both of them have 120 PSI and will hold that pressure without leaking down. I can pull either plug wire off and there is lots of sparks on either plug.
I removed the double inlet muffler and the one cylinder has a lot of exhaust pressure and the other one has some but not much. Then from time to time the week cylinder will start making power at or near 100% but not full time.

What might the problem be?

 

[Hieronymous]

Valve not seating properly?

 

[CalG]

I have a 16HP kohler 2 cylinder engine that runs on one cylinder. It has new plugs. Both cylinders fire when they supposed to. 1 cylinder makes power and the other one does not make more than 25% power. I checked the compresson on both cylinders and both of them have 120 PSI and will hold that pressure without leaking down. I can pull either plug wire off and there is lots of sparks on either plug.
I removed the double inlet muffler and the one cylinder has a lot of exhaust pressure and the other one has some but not much. Then from time to time the week cylinder will start making power at or near 100% but not full time.

What might the problem be?

Check compression

Head gaskets in particular are a weak point.
The 23HP Kohler in the Bolens just got done with the same "symptom" as you describe.
Not an easy task, as the engine must come out, and then while it's out the rings, and valves get a "freshening".

 

[travlitt]

Check compression

Head gaskets in particular are a weak point.
The 23HP Kohler in the Bolens just got done with the same "symptom" as you describe.
Not an easy task, as the engine must come out, and then while it's out the rings, and valves get a "freshening".

120# of compression on each cylinder and both will hold the pressure.

 

[CalG]

I've read of issues with the cam gear on some Kohlers, but if both cylinders have equal comp, and one of them always runs well,with the other sort of "hit or miss", I suspect an ignition trouble. What engine are you discussing?

Swap plugs wires etc. one by one, and see if the trouble follows. Run the engine in the dark to see if the high tension spark is leaking anywhere. Does the governor have points?

 

[travlitt]

Follow up on the problem I had with the 16 hp Kohler engine.
It is the engine with the overhead cams that are belt driven. The problem was most of the teeth on the bank that was not making power were worn almost down smooth and the belt had too much slack in it. This condition caused the one side to jump time therefore it was not fireing on the compression stroke at the correct time.
Thanks for all of the imput from each of you.