carb trouble???

Donsyl · May 30, 2011

Okay guys i had this trouble before and i cleaned the carb and it ran well. Once and a while lately it sputters and stalls. When it sputters i pull the choke out and sometimes it will stay running but not so well. WHAT COULD BE THE TROUBLE NOW? Do i need a carb rebuild kit? i cant figure it out. I have taken off the tank and cleaned it. and i have also cleaned the carb again. It might run fine for a few minutes and then sputters. The gas cap is good, i have tried to lossen it when this problem occurs and it doesnt change. i am beside myself right now and really need to mow...thanks in advance....Don

diesel_nut · Jun 2, 2011

What tractor?
Do you have a fuel filter? If not, splice one in.
Old fuel? And by today's standards that can be just weeks old.

You could have just a tiny piece of trash in a carb jet. That was VERY common in my 1872 for some reason. I could remove that carb, clean it and have it back on in like 10 minutes, I had to do it so often.

Could also be a small amount of water in the float bowl, not allowing gas to flow correctly. Also very common in the 1872 I had.

jonyyuma · Jun 2, 2011

Quite aggrivating, isn't it? I am having this problem with a 45oo watt gen -set that I just bought from a friend. I wish it had electric start, to prevent all that yanking...

Donsyl · Jun 2, 2011

Sorry guys its a 1811 cub

Donsyl · Jun 2, 2011

Diesel nut, that is what happens to mine i clean it out and then 10 or 15 min later it does it again. I did get a small piece of trash out of the hole where the little float valve is. It seems to run better right now, but i dont know for how long.

GTSRider · Jun 3, 2011

Donsyl said:
Okay guys i had this trouble before and i cleaned the carb and it ran well. Once and a while lately it sputters and stalls. When it sputters i pull the choke out and sometimes it will stay running but not so well. WHAT COULD BE THE TROUBLE NOW? Do i need a carb rebuild kit? i cant figure it out. I have taken off the tank and cleaned it. and i have also cleaned the carb again. It might run fine for a few minutes and then sputters. The gas cap is good, i have tried to lossen it when this problem occurs and it doesnt change. i am beside myself right now and really need to mow...thanks in advance....Don

I feel your pain....I am going through the EXACT same thing right now....
lawn is high and I can't mow it.
If you find your answer or visa versa.... we must let eavch other know !
Pete
Cub Cadet 3204 with V-twin Command 20

rcbe · Jun 3, 2011

Donsyl said:
Okay guys i had this trouble before and i cleaned the carb and it ran well. Once and a while lately it sputters and stalls. When it sputters i pull the choke out and sometimes it will stay running but not so well. WHAT COULD BE THE TROUBLE NOW? Do i need a carb rebuild kit? i cant figure it out. I have taken off the tank and cleaned it. and i have also cleaned the carb again. It might run fine for a few minutes and then sputters. The gas cap is good, i have tried to lossen it when this problem occurs and it doesnt change. i am beside myself right now and really need to mow...thanks in advance....Don

OP - remove carb - clean thoroughly - rebuild using rebuild kit. During cleaning, use a combo of magnifying glass, thin copper wire (like braided stranded wire), and compressed air. With magnifier, closely inspect each cleaned carb component to locate any smallpassages or orifices. Run copper wire thru to verify passages open. blow out with compressed air. Above all, work "clean" during this process. Just the smallest piece of trash in that carb can cause yer engine probs.
Also, replace all fuel lines, fuel filter from tank to carb. Old fuel lines can sluff off shards from inside walls and re-trash carb.
Good luck and also CLEAN GAS CAN before getting fresh fuel to re-fill tractor.

Donsyl · Jun 3, 2011

thankyou, i did clean the carb the other day and did get the lawn mowed. I am gonna pour my fuel thru some cloth every time i pour into gas tank. Hopefully that will keep the trash out............Don

Donsyl · Jun 3, 2011

GTSrider, rcbe has some really good advise there.......

GTSRider · Jun 3, 2011

Is all you know posted ?
I am loosing my mind on this on...carb is squeaky clean.... but still won't run.
I am now thinking , fuel tank has lots of junk in it ?
Pete

GTSRider · Jun 4, 2011

Has anyone found it necessary to drill out passages on side of carb body...
or does soaking usually clean these out ?
Cleaned carb again last night , and removed jests, and they are clean and clear... but still won't run without nearly full choke.... funny thing is it will run very smooth like that till I slowly open choke plate, then she dies.
Man these carbs can be a major PIA !
Any tips appreciated.
Pete

harleyizy · Jun 4, 2011

just to add my two cents guys. this new unleaded gas that we are stuck with now is running havoc with our small engines. my brother's mower had the the diaphram totally eaten away and he had to rebuild it. after that no problem. may have to bite the bullet and buy a rebuilding kit.

Donsyl · Jun 4, 2011

i have been told that some people have had problems cuz of the gas.....is there any additives that u can put in with the gas to help this issue?

harleyizy · Jun 4, 2011

check your local auto parts store such as auto zone or advanced auto. i think there is an additive that you can add to your gas.

rcbe · Jun 4, 2011

GTSRider said:
Has anyone found it necessary to drill out passages on side of carb body...
or does soaking usually clean these out ?
Cleaned carb again last night , and removed jests, and they are clean and clear... but still won't run without nearly full choke.... funny thing is it will run very smooth like that till I slowly open choke plate, then she dies.
Man these carbs can be a major PIA !
Any tips appreciated.
Pete

a copy of my reply to another similar post on this forum:
"If engine start to pull/run better as you begin to apply choke, yer prolly due for a carb cleaning session. Take carb off, apart, soak(immerse) in carb cleaner overnite, use magnifying glass and run thin copper wire thru all SMALL holes/orifices, blow out all holes and parts surfaces with compressed air, re-asm using fresh carb rebuild kit. Do not re-use any gaskets. Name of the game is to work clean."
You may have missed on of those small holes and just soaking them won't do, IMHO....gotta knock the blocking crud loose with the thin wire and then blow it out with compressed air.

GTSRider · Jun 4, 2011

Good News.... and thanks for all you guys help.
Cleaned carb again this morning .... but this time I was very thorough.
Put it back together , and turn the key... BINGO !
Engine runs clean and strong again.
Because of this problem.... I replaced the following...
All New Fuel lines from tank to carb.
New Fuel Kohler Pump
New Fuel Kohler Filter
New Kohler Air Filter
New Champion Spark Plugs

Donsyl · Jun 4, 2011

GTSRider congrats to you.....it feels good to get it running good again. i have changed the fuel lines and cleaned carb again and it runs good for now.....

poneykeg · Jun 4, 2011

I have a 3225 that is doing the same exept it would run on one cyl until easing out the choke and about a third up on lever it would then run fine that way, the carb was cleaned by a full time mechanic but did nothing to change for the better. This has gone on for maybe 25 or 30 hrs of mowing. Plugs have been R&R with autolite I like them better, This is also on 100% gas. I`m thinking it might be in the fuel pump but it has no problem getting the gas from the tank thru the new filter. The 3225 has 1350 hrs. on it and this just another page in the book of trouble that I have had. I have an 1863 with 2500hrs that is still going ston with a 54 deck getting ready for an overhaul but it has rescued the 3225 many times. but the 60in and power steering do make a difference. At first I thought it was ignition but I think it is the pump.

GTSRider · Jun 4, 2011

Easy enough to check the pump... I just had it pump into a clear plastic bottle so I could see flow , and volume.
My original pump was pumping... but a low volume.
New pump ( Kolher ) pumps very well.

GTSRider · Jun 5, 2011

Oh Man....really losing my patients now....
gave me about 1. 5 hrs of mowing and then quit the same way again...
took carb apart for I think 5th time... every thing looks fine...
I am thinking there is water in tank and gets picked up once in a while.
Any way to easily drain tank ?
I'll try lazy way first and add dry gas to tank and see what that does.
Any one ever run into a problem like this ?
A carb can not be bad... and run for an hour , then quit ..can it ?