L130 revving high

[Bfavro]

My L130 with the Kohler engine started revving high out of nowhere a couple of weeks ago. Sounded like the engine was not getting sufficient gas or maybe good fuel. I have tried changing the gas since it started this just after I put a different kind then what I normally use in it, putting stabilizer in the fuel, and adjusting the throttle. It seemed to run better at higher RPMs. It "was" running OK with the PTO engaged. Now after 30+ mins of cutting it does the same thing with the PTO engaged. It revs high then low. If I put the throttle all the way down it stalls. It wont even start with the throttle all the way down anymore. If I turn the choke on when its revving high then low it stabilizes. The air filter is clean. I just changed the oil + oil filter and fuel filter this May.

Any ideas on what I can check? I just put a new PTO clutch and deck belt on this last year and it was ruuning great!

 

[JD 420]

Sounds like the carburetor needs cleaned. Usually when you are having a running issue and you apply the choke and it goes away that means that the carburetor has gotten a piece of dirt stuck in a jet.

 

[Bfavro]

I drove it again tonight and noticed it is worse on downhill slopes and ok uphill or straightaway with PTO engaged. Is it possily the fuel pump? If still pointing to the carb is there a cleaner that I can add to fuel or spray in. I hate to take it off again. Last time I did that it was the air hole on the gas cap that was plugged and I broke some plastic part on the carb. I have already checked the cap and blown it free of debris with the compressor.

 

[Eric Barney]

JD 420 is probably correct. The idle jet is plugged with debris. This will cause the engine to surge up and down at full throttle, and stall at a lower throttle setting.

The carburetor needs to be cleaned. And make sure that no new debris can get in to the freshly cleaned carb. Replace the fuel filter, and make sure that your fuel tank does not have any dirty fuel in it.

 

[JD 420]

I haven't had any luck with any of the fuel system cleaner once the carb is clogged up. It is a good idea to check the rubber fuel hoses for any deterioration also. That could be the source of the dirt in the fuel and replace the fuel filter.

 

[Eric Barney]

I haven't had any luck with any of the fuel system cleaner once the carb is clogged up. It is a good idea to check the rubber fuel hoses for any deterioration also. That could be the source of the dirt in the fuel and replace the fuel filter.

Once a jet gets plugged wih a particle, there is only one way to fix it. Off with the carb, disassemble and clean with carb cleaner, and a compressed air gun with a rubber tipped nozzle. (Usually blowing 'backwards' through the passages) Pour-in cleaners are good for dissolving the grunge left from evaporating fuel, or old fuel. They are no help with solid particles. (From rubber, metal, sand, corrosion.) Failing mechanical fuel pumps can pump tiny pieces of their rubber diaphrams into your carburetor. There is usually no filter between the pump and carb. to prevent this.