311 wont run with out choke.

C and Z Cattle · Jan 11, 2015

Well I had a chance to work on my 311 today. It would only run with the choke on. Runs pretty good with choke on. I adjusted the carb until it would idle with choke off, but it sputters out and dies when you give it fuel. There are no leaks in the intake manifold that I can find. When I first bought the tractor from my uncle back in the summer I replaced the needle valve and seat in the carb to get it running. I checked the distributer timing and it was off if you set it in time it runs horribly. It has plenty of fuel flowing from the sediment bowl to carb. I have removed and cleaned the tank and it is now spotless. I did how ever put 87 octane fuel in it (what I had handy) which I assume probably isn't good for it. I'm not 100% sure on how the governor is supposed to work or how to check it but I would imagine that it shouldn't make a difference on how it runs just idling and revving it up. I don't think it is a carburetor adjustment issue so im thinking it must be something wrong inside the carb. Any help is greatly appreciated. I am considering just purchasing a remand carburetor . What are some things I can check first?

oldproudvet · Jan 11, 2015

Sounds like debris in the main jet. Very common
if it's been sitting a bit, Gooey gummy stuff way
to common. This is an adjustable main so if you
just unscrew the base, the "assembly" should come
out. Make sure the tip is intact and then
carefully unscrew the main jet from the housing.
Make sure you have the exact fit screwdriver
because the jet is brass and the slot easily
destroyed. My guess. 87 octane is NO issue these
are LOW compression engines. Another thought is a
weak spark will mimic fuel issues and lead you on
a wild goose chase for a long time. But that's
another issue. Your questions on ignition timing is
clue that could lead you that way though.
Patience and basic trouble shooting will solve
your problem

oldproudvet · Jan 11, 2015

Another thought I just had - Double check your
firing order. It's so easy to get the 1-3-4-2
wacko, with the center 2, ie 1-4-3-2. I won't tell
you how long I chased that around on one of my SCs.
I managed to try many carbs, coils, condensers,
fuel issues etc etc. It will run/idle but snort
and do everything but run well. The obvious is
what usually is biting us..............

C and Z Cattle · Jan 11, 2015

I will definitely check the firing order. And I will check the carburetor again. I may take it off and take it apart and soak it in parts cleaner all week and try again next weekend. It has sat for about 5 years. The distributer cap has a little corrosion so im going to replace it along with rotor button and point while im at it since they are not to expensive. Thank you for your help im thinking you are probably right.

Jeff B. · Jan 11, 2015

Did you remove the sediment bowl and dump it out? I saw that you cleaned the gas tank, but if the sediment bowl is full of water it will look exactly like gas, but only a thin film of gas will actually be coming across the top to feed the carb.
I'd second the main jet being plugged if that's not it.

RJKeith · Jan 12, 2015

My 311 will not start without the choke, but will not run with it either.

It shouldn't be the governor, that adjust the throttle based on the RPM of the engine. Choke setting should be irrelevant.

C and Z Cattle · Jan 12, 2015

Checked the firing order this evening and it is correct. And yes I also removed and cleaned the sediment bowl and blew air threw the line to assure it wasn't stopped up. Still trying to decide if it would be better to just replace the carb with a reman one or take the old one off and clean it and put a kit in it.

L.Fure · Jan 12, 2015

Here's something you can try. I just purchased a IHC 340 utility tractor that had the same problem. What I did was put two cans of Seafoam in the gas and let it run until I figured the crab was full of the mix. Then let it sit over night. When I started it up the next day I actually flooded the engine with the choke. Anyway, it works perfectly now. Give it a try. It would be cheaper than a new crab.

Joe (Wa) · Jan 12, 2015

I haven't done the Seafoam thing on a larger engine but it works well on the small 1 & 2 lungers with the fixed, unadjustable jets that are such a pia.

Joe

Fatamus · Jan 13, 2015

FILTERS,... could be starving for fuel
if you have a small inline filter replace it . DO NOT BLOW THROUGH THEM the moisture from you breath can plug them. The smallest amount of water can plug the fibers in the inline filters not allowing fuel tho flow properly.

C and Z Cattle · Jan 13, 2015

No inline filters. just sediment bowl

311 wont run with out choke.

C and Z Cattle

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oldproudvet

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oldproudvet

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C and Z Cattle

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Jeff B.

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RJKeith

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C and Z Cattle

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L.Fure

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Joe (Wa)

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Fatamus

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