Return to the Lawn Mowers Forum | Post a Follow-Up

 o
How the heck??

Posted by edthedead (My Page) on
Wed, May 26, 10 at 0:44

I have a push mower with the Kohler XT6- and my spark plug wrenches will not fit that plug. Any tips? It is supposed to be a rc12yc 5/8" plug- but no go. Anyone?


Follow-Up Postings:

 o
RE: How the heck??

  • Posted by baymee LehighValleyPA (My Page) on
    Wed, May 26, 10 at 6:03

I think that's a 5/8" plug. Use a 5/8" deep socket.


 o
RE: How the heck??

Any ideas on the size yet? I want to get this ready to go and have had no luck. 5/8, 3/4, 13/16, 11/16 are a no go.


 o
RE: How the heck??

18mm deepwell or plug socket will do the trick.


 o
RE: How the heck??

  • Posted by baymee LehighValleyPA (My Page) on
    Mon, Feb 14, 11 at 4:20

Use a 5/8 deep socket. I know it works. Otherwise, look for a stone at the base of the plug.


 o
RE: How the heck??

After digging, I found the socket that works. Now, do I need to get a spark plug from Kohler? Napa guy wasn't any help.


 o
RE: How the heck??

Well what Mystic Sizing did you use ?


 o
RE: How the heck??

  • Posted by baymee LehighValleyPA (My Page) on
    Tue, Feb 15, 11 at 5:38

napa has to have a plug......or get one for you


 o
RE: How the heck??

The socket that fit was 18 mm. Maybe if I would have went down to Napa, but I had called as it was after hours for the L&G shop guy. This morning just went down there and paid a hot sale price of only $10.95 for the plug in a Kohler box. It isn't starting yet. Will futz with it more. I don't think that it is getting gas now. 1 plug for 3 years is fine. betcha I save the old one!


 o
RE: How the heck??

  • Posted by baymee LehighValleyPA (My Page) on
    Tue, Feb 15, 11 at 21:58

Wow, that's a nice sale price for that $4 plug.


 o
RE: How the heck??

I guess PT Barnum was right.


 o
RE: How the heck??

It seems to be my luck of the draw. A couple of years back , I got to buy an expensive plug for a trimmer too. That one went to the landfill. Fortunately the riders in our family take same 'ole same ole' plugs! This one isn't a normal plug. It has a smaller body than the plug I thought it came with. Absolutely no fuel in the float bowl for now.


 o
RE: How the heck??

I have bought the Kohler plug too as I didn't see much available for that plug. If this helps others, the Kohler plug is 1413206S / Champion 8815. Maybe there are now, I haven't looked. On your not getting fuel, these had a habit of the float valve corroding to the body on the early ones. Best to clean it up and put a new kit in it.Kohler says the plating is better now. You can get by with cleaning up the old needle as well, touch up the ribs on the needle w/ a file if you're on the cheap. Flush all the old fuel / water out and you're good to go.


 o
RE: How the heck??

I hope that this isn't a sign of how my equipment is going to treat me this year. Thanks for the info.


 o
RE: How the heck??

Eeep, I thought Kohlers were a good engine maker. The carbs sound horrendous. As for having a proprietory plug, that is just plain stoopid.


 o
RE: How the heck??

There is nothing really wrong with the XT's. I don't see much difference between them and any other Chonda. In the spirit of heck- I think XT's, Honda's GC , MTD's import all use the same flywheel keys even. I would rather work on a GC anyday.


 o
RE: How the heck??

It runs like it should again. The needle was a corroded mess, so I left the dealer with a kit. Do I assume that the corrosion was from storage? Would an addition of 2 stroke oil to the gas help?


 o
RE: How the heck??

  • Posted by baymee LehighValleyPA (My Page) on
    Sun, Feb 20, 11 at 6:19

I would suspect untreated ethanol gas did that damage. Use Startron in your fuel.


 o
RE: How the heck??

Ed: If your fuel has ethanol additive and your store your fuel for more than 30 days you will continue to have carb related fuel restriction issues and fuel line deterioration . As Bay has advised a fuel treatment / conditioner will be required to reduce the potential harm that ethanol has within Small Engine fuel circuits . Stabil Products for prolonged storage are quite helpful , along with the use of Fuel conditioners such as Lucus / Duralube or if possible the Startron Product , which a Forum Member previously has earmarked as a very sound product for fuel treatment of Gas and Diesel Engines . Goggle it and if available utilize it accordingly . Unfortunately I have not been able to locate any locally , but the tributes look very interesting indeed .


 o
RE: How the heck??

I don't know if a light 2 cycle would hurt really, but there are hopefully better products for the job. I may just order some Startron on my next Stens order. It looks as though that there must be different strengths. Some specs 1 oz to 6 gallons of fuel and some 1 oz to 16 gallons. I've been using the marine Stabil as rdaystrom I believe pointed out could be an improvement over the regular Stabil. Hopefully you won't have issues anyways w/ the new needle.

Here is a link that might be useful: Startron


 o
RE: How the heck??

There seems to be interesting claims made at that Starbrite website. How much real experience does anyone here have with it?


 o
RE: How the heck??

Yes as Tom suggested it was rdaystom that originally brought light to the Startron Product . I think only Baymee may have utilized this product ? I would if it was conveniently available in the Great White North lol .


 o
RE: How the heck??

I haven't been able to find Startron around here either. Their site says that WalMart carries it but my local one doesn't.


 o
RE: How the heck??

  • Posted by baymee LehighValleyPA (My Page) on
    Mon, Feb 21, 11 at 15:58

Locally, it sells for about $7 per bottle. I googled it and found it at an Ace Hardware in Brooklyn for $4 a bottle, so I loaded up.

It's too soon for me to know how it works. I'm trusting in the testimonials for now.


 o
RE: How the heck??

I sell those little pouches of Fresh Start from Briggs. I thought that I may put some of the little Startron too. The larger bottles are really a better buy, but the shelf life is 2 years. The Fresh Start doesnt have a shelf life. I know that other stabilizers get little crystals in them when they sit. I don't really know which would be more effective. I wonder about some of the claims too. I tend to think that any of them are effective for at least 6 months for 10% eth gas, which is all we need typically anyways.


 o
RE: How the heck??

Has everyone forgotten about SEAFOAM?


 o
RE: How the heck??

"Has everyone forgotten about SEAFOAM?"

Nope. It's still my fuel cleaner of choice. I just wanted to try the Startron. Seafoam goes in the first and last tanks of the season. MMO in every tank throughout.


 o
RE: How the heck??

Shuzam ! Found a local Dealer for Starton . Will be picking up a bottle this week . Can't wait to trial it on the Ole Diesel . Yes Seafoam is a proven product along with Lucas , but have to give Rdaystom recommendation a try ! :)


 o Post a Follow-Up

Please Note: Only registered members are able to post messages to this forum.

    If you are a member, please log in.

    If you aren't yet a member, join now!


Return to the Lawn Mowers Forum

Instructions

  • You must be a registered member and logged in to post messages on our forums.
  • Posting is a two-step process. Once you have composed your message, you will be taken to the preview page. You will then have a chance to review the contents and make changes.
  • After posting your message, you may need to refresh the forum page in order to see it.
  • It is illegal to post copyrighted material without the owner's consent.
  • HTML codes are allowed in the message field only.
  • No advertising is allowed in any of the forums.
  • If you would like to practice posting or uploading photos, please visit our Test forum.
  • If you need assistance, please Contact Us and we will be happy to help.



 
Click here to learn more about in-text links on this page.