Kohler dying Part 2

John M · Aug 24, 2016

I put in a new fuel pump today, its really pumping much better than the old one, BUT the engine is still dying. I still have spark when it dies, theres fuel in the bowl when I pulled the carb, but I don't know if its actually filling the bowl up or not. My last resort before it goes to the shop is for me to rebuild the carb. It doesn't look bad at all, and I can easily blow carb cleaner thorugh the holes that are suppose to be open, but I have it sitting in my carb cleaner right now and the kit will be installed tomorrow. Heres the kicker - Since the time of my last post on this engine dying, I have been able to run it for a good solid hour with no hiccups. I ran it yesterday for about 45 minutes and it never missed a beat until I went to put it up for the night. The factory set up on the fuel lines was removed and I just had one line going to the filter, then to the pump, and on to the carb, and I though that had fixed it, and was content to only use one gas tank. But the problems came back up, and I'm at a loss! So any more suggestions if this thing still acts up after I rebuild the carb?

1970-1655 · Aug 24, 2016

Does it have the fuel shut off solenoid in the carburetor? I have a 1641 Cub Cadet that was doing the same thing. The solenoid would get hot and close shutting off the fuel. I pulled it out and clipped off the stem, then put it back in and no more trouble.

Indiana Ken · Aug 24, 2016

My Kohler, 341 - 16 HP was doing the same thing at the start of the season. It would run fine then want to stall down - pulling the choke helped at first then it would continue to stall. Stopping the engine and starting it again would tend to clear it.

I removed the fuel bowl, idle, main and adjustment needles, then blew out the passages. It has been fine since. I suspect there was a piece of dirt floating around until it got stuck in a flow passage, thereby stalling the engine.

BTW - replacing fuel lines is a good way to introduce dirt into the system. Cleaning the carb may very well cure your problem.

Steve@Advance · Aug 24, 2016

I'll second the fuel shut off solenoid. Don't know if it applies to your model, but have heard of the tip coming loose, failing to retract when the solenoid plunger pulls down.

Might could temporally disable it somehow, remove the plunger or spring, see if that makes a difference.

John M · Aug 24, 2016

It does have a shut off solenoid, but its been hung up for 3 or 4 years now, so it basically is stuck in the "flow" position. I did snip the end off a couple of years ago. The lines were replaced because they were deteriorating badly, and I had to clean the carb out a couple of times this year already I usually just hot it with carb cleaner a few times, they spray once more over paper towels to see if I had anything I missed. I actually did this today, and had no residue on the paper towel, but I decided maybe something else that wont come out without soaking is in there.

Mark-Ia · Aug 24, 2016

A sticking exhaust valve will cause you fits.

Pair-a-dice farm · Aug 24, 2016

My Kohler was doing something similar this spring. I found a mud dobber nest in the air inlet that was restricting the air flow to the filter. It would run fine until it got in a pull and then just smother down.

John M · Aug 25, 2016

Had that problem with the last set of heads, well, just one. Bent the pushrod enough to distort it. I replaced the heads and they don't have many hours at all on them so I don't think thats the problem.

Kohler dying Part 2

John M

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1970-1655

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Indiana Ken

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Steve@Advance

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John M

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Mark-Ia

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Pair-a-dice farm

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John M

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