red hot muffler on LT1045

[lil_country]

I just bought a used LT1045. Today my wife mowed with it for the first time. She had been mowing about 30 minutes when I noticed that sparks were coming from the muffler. I had her stop, and on closer inspection I could see that the muffler was bright red. It was so hot that the front tires were hot. Any help diagonsing the problem would be appreciated.

 

[Captain Ned]

Sounds like it's running lean.

 

[JTKub]

What engine is in this LT1045?

 

[lil_country]

Kohler Courage 20

 

[JTKub]

Is it a few years old? I'm wondering if something is loose around the intake or cyl head letting air in and leaning out the air/fuel ratio? Some early Courage singles had issues with bolts loosening up.

 

[lil_country]

It is a 2006 model, but has very low hours. It is also a 2 cylinder model. I'll try adjusting the mixture and see if it helps.

 

[beenthere]

Also be sure there are no mouse nests under the shroud, assuming this is air cooled.

 

[JTKub]

Also be sure there are no mouse nests under the shroud, assuming this is air cooled.

Good call there. I haven't heard of a single issue with the Courage V-twins. I owned a 20 and loved it.

 

[lil_country]

If there was a nest, there would have been flames. That muffler was about to melt down.

 

[lil_country]

I've adjusted the fuel mixture. We will see if that helps. Thanks for the response.

 

[CubUser]

Every single time I've had a problem with an overheating air-cooled-engine it has been a problem with timing. Check the timing next, if what you've done so far has no effect.

 

[westbrooklawn]

Had the same problem one time... ended up being a blown head gasket causing it to run lean...