Who knows about JD L-110 (lawn mower) and its Kohler Command 17.5 engine (carb ques)

[Richard]

I've got this Kohler Command 17.5 engine for my mower.

Seems it dried out from last year so been cleaning out some dried gunk....

Got mower running, but it's VERY erratic.

Seems it's flooding. There is a solenoid on the UNDER side of the carb with wire. Seems this shuts off flow to bowl. This part is pretty warm. I'm just shy of calling it "hot" so I'm wondering if it's sticking.

Pulled it out and charged/discharged it....it seems to be working just fine so I'm guessing it's getting warm from being in an energized position while mower is running (??)

Gas is really flooding carb.

I'm preparing to order new carb (solenoid included) but can't help think it's something else. (than the carb itself)

Also... the lever that attaches to the governor lever has a 90 degree bend (hook) on the end that goes through a hole on the lever. Seems there is something missing there that actually HOLDS the rod to the lever.

I've been searching for a blow up diagram to find what holds it.... finally, wrapped a piece of duct tape around to hold it in place, seems to work.

Anyone know how the lever attaches and why solenoid might be getting warm?

I'm about 3 more frustrations from just buying an entire replacement ensemble and forgetting about it.


(adding insult to my insult... went to start the IH-444 for first time and no hydraulics.... filled resivoir and now, fluid just cascades from the steering wheel. Did this before then stopped. I'm guessing it will stop when resivoir gets lower level. So far, we can't get steering wheel off threaded rod (nut removed) after decades of rust...

if it's not one thing it's another!! Maybe I'll get some goats)

 

[jaxs]

The rod is usually held by a plastic clip that go's through hole in gov arm,rod go's in plastic clip hole then swing's up to snap onto rod. The flooding is from needle and seat. If you cleaned needle and seat while"cleaning out some dried gunk",you have 3 choices. #1. spend $50 for new carb #2. spend $12 for needle-seat-bowl gasket kit. #3. be more aggressive in cleaning needle & seat. Smear car paint finishing compound or cleaner wax on tip of needle. While applying downward pressure,rotate needle back and forth on seat to "lap" them.

 

[Richard]

Interestingly (for me anyway!) I put things together to try to start unit....then move it. It was sitting in middle of driveway and when wife gets home, it will create an issue.

None the less...started right up...ran fine... I kept waiting for it to die (need to jump start since battery is old/dead and didn't want it to die in yard)

Kept purring so cut our island....ran fine... thought I'd try part of the yard and next thing I know, entire yard is finished.

I don't know what happened but I won't complain!!

 

[tomplum]

When the carb is overflowing, I would suggest getting an OEM carb if it reoccurs. And you'll pay more than the 50$ Others have gone with the cheapo carbs and it ended up poorly. Fuel pumps on these can also leak fuel into the block. You will want to get a good battery into it too. Did the solenoid still get hot?