I have this engine in my 2009 Ferris IS3100z mower. I learned along the way that this engine does not have a great reputation for reliability. Last fall it had an issue with unstable idle and generally running poorly. I changed intake gaskets, found the intake manifold screws loose, rebuilt carb, and some other stuff. Got it running but never seemed solid. I started it this spring for the first time and it ran for a couple of minutes and died. After poking around and trying to restart it (just occasional pops, no real turning over) the choke acted stuck. After pulling the carb I found the choke rod bent and one side of the flap bent too. I pulled the valve cover on that side and found the pushrod laying loose. So what is this failure exactly?
Not anything particularly loud or violent. Since I got it, it would often let out a good pop after shutting down. Backfire came to mind for me when I first saw the bent carb plate, but maybe the carb was damaged if the inlet valve was hanging open. This engine has caused enough trouble off/on over the last 5 years I might just change over to a Kohler Command or Briggs Vanguard. But then again, the Kawi is a drop-in fit and possibly they've improved on its weaknesses(?)
I'll have to check Monday when I'm at the shop, but I'm pretty sure those engines had a tsb issued for cam/valve issues.
Yes, they do. And yes, mine was included in the recall. Document is attached. A couple seasons ago I took it in to Messicks for an ignition issue and had them also look into the recall. Mine qualified, but at some point along the process Kawasaki decided this serial number was already repaired. There were no permanent marks on the valve covers as per Kawi's recall instructions but anyway. If this is the failure that the recall was supposed to address then I may have been screwed. Another part that says to walk away from Kawasaki period and stop throwing good money after bad. If they really did fix the issue and a new identical engine will run well and hold up, maybe I should just drop one in (with a new muffler and PTO clutch of course).
Do not shut the newer engines down at idle - will backfire everytime. Manual say to leaving at speed - I just slow them down to about 1/2 - no backfire. No idea why.
I poked my head around a 2018 Ferris IS3200z today with the 37HP Vanguard EFI engine. Mostly to understand the connections and interface points. There are a few more wires in the harness - possibly fuel pump. Also the fuel has a return loop to each fuel tank and three (!) inline filters. Going to call Briggs hotline tomorrow - I see that they offer to help a bit to work out compatible engines for repowering. I will consider a Vanguard without EFI just based on the reliability.
I went with the local-ish shop that had a duplicate engine in stock. I got a killer price on it too. This engine's manufacture date is Jan 2019 - I hope Kawasaki figured out some things since 2008 when they made the first one.
So that's the new motor in place all swapped over? If so that's great. I've got a swap in the near future too. Except mine is a slight change. .
