Kohler CH980

[BLES]

CH980-0016
Neighbor has two of these bigger Kohlers. One has this canister style air filter, the other has the flat box type. The one with the flat box doesn't seem to allow enough air - smokes black even with new air filter. If the lid is off the housing, it's fine. He wants to switch for the 62-048-09-S air filter kit, except it doesn't have an "anti-icing" (heater) kit, which is a necessity in our cold winters.

Any ideas on this? Anyone running one of these with the smaller, flat filter housing??

BLES

[bluemower]

there is possibility of other problems. is this an efi engine?

check the crankcase oil for signs of fuel contamination. Fuel fumes in the crankcase may be expelled through the breather hose into - the air filter housing. the extra fuel fumes turn into the black smoke. Causes of this situation could be a leaking carburetor. Another source of the fuel could be a leaking diaphragm in a pulse fuel pump. The pulse line is connected to a crankcase vacuum source. High altitude could also create a rich fuel air mixture. Check the air filter for contamination that may be blocking air flow.

[BLES]

No, this is a carb engine. Air filter has no effect. Only change is opening the air box to allow more air. Will check for the fuel in crankcase issue. Thanks for your thoughts.
BLES