Replaced Coils on my 30hp Kohler today.

[Sprinkler Buddy]

Replaced Coils on my 30hp Kohler today. Had a coil go bad, decided to change them both since it required a bit of effort to get to. Saved myself $300 in labor by doing it myself. I'm no mechanic so I took a few pic. encase I couldn't figure out how to put it back together. LOL No left over parts and I didn't even need to refer back to the pic. I took. Shop said 3 hrs labor, took me 3 1/2 hours so I did alright. Runs like new now. LOL Don't be afraid to tackle major repairs even if your not an expert mechanic, like me. Saves $$$

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[Steve]

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That is very interesting! How did you diagnose that the coil was bad? What was happening with the mower that caused you to think it was the coil?

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[Sprinkler Buddy]

Once the mower was hot, it would start firing on only one cylinder. Had it tested once it was heated and acting up, they used something that looked like a current tester to me to check it. They said they don't go out to often but this one did. This particular mower has 1116 hrs on it.

[wandfsmall]

Originally Posted by Sprinkler Buddy

Replaced Coils on my 30hp Kohler today.

Had a coil go bad, decided to change them both since it required a bit of effort to get to. Saved myself $300 in labor by doing it myself. I'm no mechanic so I took a few pic. encase I couldn't figure out how to put it back together. LOL No left over parts and I didn't even need to refer back to the pic. I took. Shop said 3 hrs labor, took me 3 1/2 hours so I did alright. Runs like new now. LOL

Don't be afraid to tackle major repairs even if your not an expert mechanic, like me. Saves $$$

dang what kind of labor rate does your shop get? An experanced mechanic that has done it a few times can do that job in about an hour and a half. A not experanced mechanic should not be getting $100 an hour. Did you have any trouble getting the coils spaced right?

[wandfsmall]

Originally Posted by Sprinkler Buddy

Once the mower was hot, it would start firing on only one cylinder. Had it tested once it was heated and acting up, they used something that looked like a current tester to me to check it. They said they don't go out to often but this one did. This particular mower has 1116 hrs on it.

To test a coil you test voltage, I run a PET 4000 tester from echo, the distance of the spark tells you voltage. Off of the machine you can test them with resistance but you would need a service manual for the correct readings.

But an easy way to test it is when the mower starts acting up pull one plug and see if it dies. Then pull the other one, it will tell you what side is acting up. Also coils go out all of the time, that's why they likely had them in stock.

Another note is most of the problems with coils would be from rust. Sand the contacts down a little and they will start working again.

[Steve]

Here is an interesting view on testing your lawn mower coil.

[Sprinkler Buddy]

Originally Posted by wandfsmall

dang what kind of labor rate does your shop get? An experanced mechanic that has done it a few times can do that job in about an hour and a half. A not experanced mechanic should not be getting $100 an hour. Did you have any trouble getting the coils spaced right?

The shop has a $65.00 hr labor rate, he had said it's a 3 hr job. With that said, they still said it would be around $500.00 parts and labor. I'm good with the math, that's why I decided to tackle it myself. LOL Since that didn't add up.

The job depends on the mower, if it were a newer model it would have only taken 5 min per coil being they are mounted outside of the casing or cover of the motor. I'm not a professional mechanic but I do a lot of my own repairs, clutches, spindles, etc... I promise you, with my mower it's not an 1 1/2 job. I had to take all kinds of stuff off just to get to them. I had no trouble getting the coils spaced right, with this motor they have mounting holes, you can't adjust them. I simply took out the old and replaced with the new.

Sounds like your experience with them are for a different kind of set-up is what I'm thinking.

[Sprinkler Buddy]

"But an easy way to test it is when the mower starts acting up pull one plug and see if it dies. Then pull the other one, it will tell you what side is acting up. Also coils go out all of the time, that's why they likely had them in stock.

Another note is most of the problems with coils would be from rust. Sand the contacts down a little and they will start working again."

That is exactly what I did before I took it to the shop and had it tested with their gadget to confirm my conclusion before I ordered new ones. Good advise! LOL I live in a small town and they had to order them, didn't have the ones I needed in stock. Rust wasn't an issue here, no rust. I have been cutting grass 15+ years now, first time I had ever had trouble with a coil. Guess I have been lucky till now. LOL