sticking kohler valves

[2manyrocks]

This Gravely is a manual start with no 12v system....

I happen to have one of those electric 12v pumps you're talking about. Do you suppose I could hook it up to a battery and try it to see if the Gravely will run that way?

I see that aftermarket mechanical pumps for the Kohler are about $40 on up depending on which one and where you buy it.

Thanks J_J

 

[woodsman2011]

Yep. That ethanol is some bad stuff. I have a small engine shop local to me (mostly chainsaws and such) and they tell me that something has been eating up the primer bulbs on a good part of the saws and other equipment that comes in. They think its the ethanol in the gas. I wonder if there is something that we can use in the gas to neutralize that crap? Marvel mystery oil couldn't hurt anyhow.

And I don't see a problem with hookin' up a electric pump like your talkin' about. I don't know how you use the machine but If it is starving for fuel, it might show something. Worth a try anyhow.

Kelly

 

[2manyrocks]

I ordered the mechanical pump. Figured I'd get one before the prices go up any more.

From what I read, ethanol is terrible for rubber fuel lines, primer bulbs, and any thing else rubber related. In past years, they didn't stock so many primer bulbs in the box stores, and now you see them.

It's a real inconvenience to find 100% gas where I am, but I don't want to go through this again.

 

[jdboy4410]

stabil makes a product designed to counteract the ethanol,it is green in color,available most everywhere right now i think.funny,i am running into a similar issue with a B&S 8 hp right now.it runs great,and then sputters and shuts off,i noticed though it was sucking the fuel filter dry,so i installed a new filter,it was better,but still does it,i am thinking that there is a problem with the fuel shut off valve or maybe some dirt lurking in the tank and clogging the fuel valve.seemed funny,i am on a hill,the engine is on a troy bilt tiller by the way,if i run one direction,it does fine,but when i turn to go the other direction,it will sputter and shut off.hmmmmmmmm,gonna take the tank off,dump it,clean it out and clean the fuel valve out to see if that remedies the problem.spark is not an issue,new coil and plug and she is firing like she means it ! may be the same thing happening to you on that kohler.i would definitely check fuel supply .

 

[RichardTX]

It sounds like there may be a float problem or water lying the the fuel bowl. If the filter is getting sucked dry, then you may have a leak that is allowing air to get sucked in. I would check the fuel lines for cracks and replace as needed.