carb., having to run on partial or full choke

1946 BN IHC · May 23, 2021

Having a Kholer K321 14 hp., that Have had to run with either partial or full choke. Manually cleaned the carb., by the disassembly method, before I started the engine. This engine has a fuel pump. ??WONDRING if the fuel pump needs reworking?? since the engine seems not to receiving fuel properly.
Has anyone run into similar problems and could offer some suggestions?
Thank you for any and all assistance.
Wm.

tractorguy2 · May 23, 2021

Could be the fuel pump. First I would remove and replace all rubber fuel hoses. Fuel hoses break down over time and can cause a restriction.

1946 BN IHC · May 23, 2021

That is my suspicion that the fuel pump and filter are in question. Wen we received the tractor I replaced all the line from the tank to the [ filter with nicopper brake line] and just two short clear fuel line junctions at the filter, so I know that the line is certainly not the difficulty. SO! I will contact a local small engine shop and procure new parts for the pump and filter. At least that is one low cost step approximately or less than $20.00 Can. The carb is about $60.00 US., so that will be the next step.
Thank you for your thoughts. At least I am on the best track since it has ben over 30 years since I last worked on single cylinder engines on lawn tractors, and one forgets what one doesn't need to remember every day.
Thank you again for your thoughts.
Wm.

wore out · May 23, 2021

(quoted from post at 05:55:59 05/23/21) Having a Kholer K321 14 hp., that Have had to run with either partial or full choke. Manually cleaned the carb., by the disassembly method, before I started the engine. This engine has a fuel pump. ??WONDRING if the fuel pump needs reworking?? since the engine seems not to receiving fuel properly.
Has anyone run into similar problems and could offer some suggestions?
Thank you for any and all assistance.
Wm.

If it runs with choke that would seem to rule out the fuel pump, IMHO.

How did this come about, suddenly, or after a period of non-use?

Besides a likely carb issue that still remains after your "carb job" it might be worth checking the valve settings and that the ACR is working properly.

MNGB · May 23, 2021

Remove the spark plug lead, disconnect the hose from that fuelpump to the carb at the carb, crank the engine if you get fuel squirting out the fuel pump is ok, next you said you had the carb apart did you set the idle and main jets per the Kohler manual here are the starting points Idle jet screw all the way in till it gently stops back out 2 1/2 turns, run the main jet in then back it out 3 1/4 turns, then fine tue turning the jets 1/8th of a turn at a time. Check the throttle shaft for wear disconnect the link from gov to carb try wiggling the shaft if it move back & forth it is worn and needs a new bushing or the carb needs to be replaced, if the throttle shaft is leaking air (worn) its impossible to adjust the carb right, new carb for the K321 are available on e bay or Amazon for $20.00 or less
https://www.ebay.com/itm/392892777548?hash=item5b7a3c044c:g:sOQAAOSwMexfJGK9

old · May 23, 2021

The engine on my Troy built tiller does that some times. I have to take the carb off and clean it up. There is a tube in the carb that if you spray carb cleaner into it will spray up into the tube area and I have to poke that out and after I do it runs fine till next spring. It is a Kholer 7HP engine

1946 BN IHC · May 23, 2021

Well I don't know when the last time the engine was run since I received it in trade and the young fellow stated he put a new gen/starter on but he couldn't get spark. The wire harness was all messed up. Rebuilt it and installed a new key switch >> voila started. The governor needed to be reset. On the maiden voyage to cut our hayfield of a lawn. that's when I realised the fuel / carburettor wasn't working properly, manually cleaned it by the disassembly method.
So; now I need to correct this. Thank you I will see to the valve settings; yet I GUESS the valves probably aren't too far out of setting, but it is wise to check them, There is plenty of compression though; but will now take time and see; as well as the rebuilding the pump and replacing the fuel filter since I know for a fact it is one that I had on the shelf; not new. I have already searched out a new carb on line and am keeping that information in my back pocket. [US price just shy of $60.00] shipped in to us here in South Western Ontario near London Ont. Canada.

timcasbolt · May 23, 2021

(quoted from post at 17:04:03 05/23/21) Well I don't know when the last time the engine was run since I received it in trade and the young fellow stated he put a new gen/starter on but he couldn't get spark. The wire harness was all messed up. Rebuilt it and installed a new key switch >> voila started. The governor needed to be reset. On the maiden voyage to cut our hayfield of a lawn. that's when I realised the fuel / carburettor wasn't working properly, manually cleaned it by the disassembly method.
So; now I need to correct this. Thank you I will see to the valve settings; yet I GUESS the valves probably aren't too far out of setting, but it is wise to check them, There is plenty of compression though; but will now take time and see; as well as the rebuilding the pump and replacing the fuel filter since I know for a fact it is one that I had on the shelf; not new. I have already searched out a new carb on line and am keeping that information in my back pocket. [US price just shy of $60.00] shipped in to us here in South Western Ontario near London Ont. Canada.

ew carbs for that engine are available on ebay and Amazon for under $20.

Russ from MN · May 24, 2021

If the carburetor has adjustments have you tried just opening up the high speed? I have done that many times when engines act like you describe, and then I add some Seafoam or other fuel system cleaner to the fuel. After the cleaner does it's job you can usually set the adjustment back to where it was, but every engine is a little different, that's why they have adjustments. Don't buy a bunch of parts until you have done the troubleshooting! I don't think it's your fuel pump!

T.R.K. · May 24, 2021

What is the engine on? Sometimes these guys know related things to look for on different make mowers.

On those K341s I think you can determine if fuel is your problem by arranging to gravity-feed the carburetor. Just run a hose from your pump into a can or bottle. (I like to use something clear, so I can see if there is water or trash in it.) If it runs about right on gravity feed, your problem is something in the delivery to the carburetor. Do not overlook a clogged filter, or the possibility of a plugged outlet screen in the tank. (I'm thinking of a Wheel Horse). And if the fuel lines are beginning to crack, its time for new ones as well.

If you determine that the fuel pump is the problem, keep in mind that a worn lobe on the camshaft that works the pump can also cause weak fuel delivery.

Russ from MN · May 25, 2021

Good idea T.R.K. , I have used an outboard for a temporary fuel tank a few time, the hose is long enough that you can position it high enough to gravity feed with reasonable pressure, and the squeeze bulb in the line makes it easy to fill the carburetor. I would never buy a fuel pump without troubleshooting first, and then it would be an electric.

504 · May 25, 2021

Try a remote fuel tank before you buy a pump. I had a 2025 Alis Agco. It would make 1/2 pass in my yard and quit,no gas to the filter. $60.00 for a pump and it did the same thing,in the tank the pick up line had a 90 deg bend in it. When I blew on the line a nest of some kind fell out.

wore out · May 25, 2021

(quoted from post at 19:13:46 05/25/21) Try a remote fuel tank before you buy a pump. I had a 2025 Alis Agco. It would make 1/2 pass in my yard and quit,no gas to the filter. $60.00 for a pump and it did the same thing,in the tank the pick up line had a 90 deg bend in it. When I blew on the line a nest of some kind fell out.

As I recall the O.P. said it will run when choked.

If there's an inadequate supply of fuel to the carb (bad fuel pump or other fuel supply issue) pulling the choke won't help, at least for more than a couple of seconds.

Based on what the O.P. wrote the fuel pump is NOT the issue, IMHO.

John Schoenauer · May 25, 2021

I have seen a similar problem, needed to play with the chock to get it to run, on a tractor. It was a raffle tractor so it did not get run a lot. We chased the carb settings for a couple of months then someone changed the points. Fixed it.
Thanks
John Schoenauer

carb., having to run on partial or full choke

1946 BN IHC

Member

tractorguy2

Well-known Member

1946 BN IHC

Member

wore out

Well-known Member

MNGB

Well-known Member

old

Well-known Member

1946 BN IHC

Member

timcasbolt

Well-known Member

Russ from MN

Well-known Member

T.R.K.

Well-known Member

Russ from MN

Well-known Member

504

Well-known Member

wore out

Well-known Member

John Schoenauer

Member

Similar threads