I had this happen to BOTH of my tracs, and it ended up in my case that I had bad gas as a result of A) Using an old 2-cycle fuel can as a temporary fuel filler can and B) Gas that was so old I couldn't remember where it came from.

I ran fresh fuel out of a clean container and everything went by the numbers - but not before I rethought them both from one end to the other... The only reason I caught on was because trac #2 did it immediately after borrowing fuel from trac #1, and I knew it was a good machine.

 

Finally dragged out the mower again today....here is what I found on it:

Any help or ideas still appreciated. Thanks

 

Been tied up evenings this week and now out of town. I'll do some research this weekend and see if I can give you any other ideas.
Apologies.

 

Apologies? Heck, you should be sending me a bill.

 

Kal...I've got Ray's address if you need it to send the bill to.

 

Don't know if this would apply to you engine or not but I have had 2 kohler engines where even though the lifter where hydraulic, they were able to be adjusted.

Look on the bottom of your carburator float bowl. Is there just a standard bolt/or screw holding the float bowl on or does it have a larger piece with an electrical connection on it. Also, are you running the lights when cutting the grass? How bumpy is the yard? Does it die on one particular spot or all over the place.

If it has the electrical connector, its a fuel solenoid. Its cuts off all fuel flow to the engine when the voltage is disconected. It may just need to be cleaned or it may need to be replaced. Its not hard to test either, you can hear it click open and know if its good or faulty. Those parts typoically run about $100 or so depending on your dealer.
I'll let Kal chime in with other sugestions..
BTW, Kal, by any chance are you a member of PPE Congress? Theres a guy on there from central PA and from your avatar, I would venture to guess your a small engine tech..

 

I think we really need to start ruling some things out. By my reasoning, it cannot be a fuel starvation issue as that would most likely happen after 15 minutes or so of running, not an hour.
I suggest we rule out (or in) ignition as a problem by running until it quits and checking for spark with either a purchased bona-fide spark tester or a new spark plug with the gap opened up pretty wide (or even with the adjustable electrode cut off).


Even valves out of adjustment should exhibit symptoms in much less than an hour.
But it can take a faulty ignition coil a long time to heat up enough to fail to fire or fire intermittently. Do you notice any correlation between the length of time that the engine will run before sputtering and the humidity? A cracked coil may be more likely to ground out under humid conditions than it would when the air is drier.
Lets check that ignition so we know if we're barking up the right tree.

Not trying to pass the buck here, but I took a quick look at the repair manual I downloaded and they have a good troubleshooting section and step by step procedures for any and all possible adjustments and tests. It might be easier if you had the manual in hand so you could work through the TS process methodically.
It is just a little bit difficult trying to diagnose something unseen. But, I am willing to keep on working with you until we get it figured out!

This is the link to the page with your manual. Select the CV493 service manual. It is the one that has your CV460 in it. and yes, it was tricky to find the correct manual. An oversight or glitch on Kohler's part.

edit: here is the link http://www.kohlerengines.com/manuals/landing.htm

Re-edit: click that link and select "command Pro" from the model pull down menu. Don't try to type in your model number. Just select command pro and hit return. Scroll to the CV493 button and select service manual

 

Thanks Kal,

This has probably been the worst summer and even early fall for trouble shooting this problem. I didn't have to use my mower at all in July and most of August. I have mowed only a couple times all summer. We are finally getting some rain this week so next week I will be cutting again.

I never noticed a link between humidity and stall time. I am kind of obsessive-compulsive so I always cut my lawn in the same pattern and the mower always seems to die in the same spot in the mowing - about an hour into the job. I think I will get a spark tester and see if that gives any indication.

Don't worry about passing the buck. Now that I have the link to the manual, I will read that and work from there. I'd love to get this issue resolved once and for all - you've given me plenty of information to work with. Thanks for everything so far.

 

Hey guys,
If you have never replaced the coil on that engine chances are it is going south, I have had problems with them in the past and it is a common problem with the Kolher Command single cylinder engines. I am 99.9% sure that will be what the problem is
Glenn

 

Hey Glenn-
Glad you chimed in! I was wondering if you saw this thread and was hoping you'd have an opinion too.