Occasional Hard Starting 14hp Kohler on JD 214

IaLeo · Aug 1, 2013

Every few weeks(when sitting for a week or two)the Kohler doesn't get enough gas. Starts under full choke, low throttle, barely runs for a few seconds.

Has happened three times before. I have replaced fuel filter, fuel line and by loosening clamps,gas runs out of line, gas squirts out of fuel pump line to carb.

Then taking off air cleaner and holding the palm of my hand tightly to carb air inlet, effectively really choking it, it will start and eventually run up to speed. Put everything back together and the rig runs normal, producing good power for hours. (I mow with 47" deck, pulling to tow mowers) It uses a cup of oil every 4 hours and doesn't smoke except at low to full throttle.

Any opinions where to look? Other than the new ones at the JD dealer? : )

Leon

Anonymous-0 · Aug 1, 2013

My 1983 model 210 is bad that way. The fuel is evaporating out of the carburetor bowl while the tractor is setting. The fuel pump may also be weak but you can probably tolerate that since the tractor runs after you get it started.

The cure is new carburetor gaskets. If the body or the float bowl are warped, you will need to straighten or replace them.

kevinstuff · Aug 1, 2013

have the same problem on an old briggs. i had the gas line u shaped from tank to carb. as gas evaporates the fuel line because of u shape would not allow flow. so try to get gravity in your favor with fuel line. also check screens in tank or sediment bowl screens and that vent in gas cap is not plugged up.

wwminc · Aug 1, 2013

The carb must "sense" a good pull of air from the engine to flow gas thru the metering tubes. Your hand closing off the air forces the gas to flow. Your pump is fine, and i really doubt all the gas is evaporating out in 1 week. Besides the carb pulls all the gas from the bottom of the bowl anyway. Causes: worn throttle shaft(really kills the low circuit signal), poor seating intake valve.

Anon · Aug 1, 2013

Before starting it next time, remove fuel bowl screw on carb to see if enough gas comes out. There was a problem on the inlet needle valve and Kohler had an update with a wire that attached to float and pulled needle valve open when gas level dropped.(Similar to Briggs design)

JT · Aug 4, 2013

More than likely the engine is starting hard is because it is worn, an air cooled engine should use less than an oz. of oil per hour run time on the average, if you you are using double that, then that is a good reason why you have to force feed it fuel by closing off the air intake, not enought vacumn to pull fuel out of bowl of carb and up the high speed jet and into the engine. Do a leak down test and you can confirm that.

Occasional Hard Starting 14hp Kohler on JD 214

IaLeo

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Anonymous-0

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kevinstuff

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wwminc

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Anon

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JT

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