Dies out unless carb cleaned per 7 days. 1811 Hydro

[Nicadeamas]

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So, If I let the tractor sit for a week and I do not use it, then it will start up nice and happy then after about 45 seconds it will die out. If I throw the choke on I can get it to last a few seconds longer.

For the past 5 months I've just been taking the carb apart, cleaning what looks like nothing, then putting it back together and it works until I let it sit for a week.

Now, because it shuts off after about 45 seconds I would assume that it is the float valve in the carb and the pin is getting stuck. (My pin is aluminum with a rubber tip)
However, if I let the tractor sit for 10 minutes or so, I can start it up again for another 45 seconds. Making me thing that the pin is not getting stuck in the carb.

But at this point my mind wanders around several directions and I am confused.
Any idea's?
It would be really nice if I didn't have to take the carb apart whenever I need to mow the grass.

 

[Soundguy]

it's starving for fuel.. I have seen B&S carbs do this.

the flaot valve needle is getting seized in it's bore.. when you take it apart to clean.. it moves free. ploish that needle, and the seat, and the bore it rides in with carb cleaner..

add some stabil to your fuel.

I'm systematically getting rid of all my small gas engines.. when that's done, I'll be getting rid of my gasser truck too.

only gassers I'll have left, if I get my way.. are some ford tractors...

soundguy

 

[art]

That is a Kohler motor and I'd agree with Soundguy on the needle and seat for the float, they normally will start and run for a minute if it is the float sticking.

We have been having a lot of trouble with the ethanol gas and carb's on small engine on both two and four stroke. I hate to say that the government and ethanol is a boost for repair shops but it is!

You might want to try an additive for your fuel although I know those are thirsty but I feel the shelf life of ethanol gas is now below 30 days.

 

[RandyT]

Was working on a MTD pushmower with a honda gcv160 engine that was doing that the other day. Would run for about 3 minutes then would die. Let set 30 seconds and would start back up and run for 30 seconds and then would die. Checked carb and found nothing wrong. it turned out to be a spark plug that was quiting.

 

[Fixemall]

Romove the fuel bowl and turn the gas on, if it flows out the bottom you are good. I would ritchen the mixture one half turn and see if it helps. I would also suspect you have a fuel line problem somewhere and possibly a vent issue that is choking off the flow of gas. I have started replacing all fuel lines and adding inline filters on all the carbs I rebuild without exception, to date I have had only one comeback and that was due to a guys brother in law that was going to show him how to re-tune that carburetor, think he used a crowbar and a mallet...

 

[Soundguy]

might not be ok if fuel flows out.

float can stick up or down.

either starve or flood her out.

as for the spark plug dieing.. easy to test with start fluid.. if it stays running with start fluid into intake.. then spark is good. if not, and you pull line to plug and it sparks, but does not spark on plug.. then you canlook at plug.. etc.

soundguy

 

[Fixemall]

As the OP stated, he can delay the stall by pulling the choke, clearly the machine is starving for fuel. Might be as simple as a plugged tank vent.

 

[Donsyl]

I have a 1811 and had the same problem. I was cleaning the carb and it didnt help much. I finally took the needle valve with the spring on it near the top of the carb off and shot some carb cleaner down it. Ever since then it has ran fine....hope it helps..Don

 

[2manyrocks]

When I really want the needle seat clean, I take a cotton swab soaked in carb cleaner and spin it in the seat for a bit.

 

[Soundguy]

yep.. BTDT

soundguy