Choke/Carburetor Problem

[KGauger]

My Satoh S650G Bison has been giving me problems for a while. At times you can choke it, start it, push the choke off and it will run fine for a while. But then the engine will bog down and you will have to play with the choke to keep it running. Today I was bush hogging and it started as usual. Ran it for around 30 minutes and everything was fine. Started fine 10 minutes later but bogged down and quit about 30 minutes later. Thinking it may be a problem related to heat, I let the tractor sit for 40 minutes. Started the tractor but I had to leave the choke out to keep it running. Didn't change the throttle setting and the RPMs was the same with the choke completely out. Ran fine for 45 minutes with the choke completely out. Stopped for 10 minutes to get some objects out of the field. Started OK but this time I didn't have to use the choke to keep the tractor running. Ran for over an hour with no problems. If I have to use the choke to keep the tractor running, that is fine with me. But I want to resolve the problem. I saw that the high speed jet may be the problem. Has anyone else had this problem?

Thanks,
Ken Gauger

 

[horses2]

almost sounds like there may be a fuel flow issue. perhaps ensure the fuel filter is good, and double check the tank to ensure there isn't a piece of something partially clogging the fuel pickup tube. you may want to remove the carb fuel bowl to ensure there isn't a piece of debris floating around.

 

[Roadworthy]

I agree with all of the above (fuel flow) but will add check the carburetor to make sure the float can move up and down freely. If the float gets stuck in the up position it will turn off the gas flow.

 

[KGauger]

Thanks for the suggestions. I did some more bush hogging today and experienced the same problems. It could be a fuel flow issue. I have checked the fuel filter. Could be something in the tank or the float on the carburetor hanging up. I had been running with the choke out and it started running rough. So I pushed in the choke and that helped. At least I can keep the tractor running by playing with the choke so far.

 

[Peter 315]

Clean the carb sounds like plugged or dirty main jet , closing the choke makes it draw more fuel through the jet because your closing off the air.....

 

[Roadworthy]

You could try some stuff called Sea Foam in your fuel system. I used a mix of about 50/50 Sea Foam and gasoline through my pressure washer. It will run without the choke pulled now. It even gets up to speed. It's great stuff.

 

[Sonny580]

My 650 does the exact same thing,--gotta drive with one hand on the choke all the time. ---Carbs on these are too expensive to mess with for me, so I parked the tractor.

 

[lens12]

Sonny580 . Do you want to sell the 650?

 

[RalphVa]

I second the vote for Sea Foam. I've avoided many carb tear aparts with some Sea Foam into the fuel tank, not even a 50/50 mix: just a dollop into the tank. Read the label.

Ralph

 

[kthompson]

Not throwing off at Sea Foam but it will not solve some issues. Do you use ethanol gas in the tractor? If so that is probably the cause of the problem. You need to get the problem fixed and hope Sea Foam solves it and stay away from gas with ethanol. Here it can be found in regular and higher octane ratings.