Backroads 0 #1 Posted June 2, 2011 Just picked up a wheel horse 856 with the 8hp kohler engine, has a carter N carb on it. It runs GREAT, I can drive it around, mow a bit then it just sputters and dies out on me. It fires right back up and sometimes I can get another lap out of it and it dies again, or it just sputters and idles low and loopy like. Now the thing that gets me is I also have a suburban with a 4hp kohler, carter N carb as well and it does the exact same thing!!!! (minus the mowing, just riding it) SO What the heck am I doing or do I just have that kind of luck that there is something wrong with both engines!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
puddlejumper 67 #2 Posted June 2, 2011 Immediatly When it starts acting up check for fire. Coils and condensors will both quit working when hot. Also I have had weak fuel pumps do the same thing so if you have fire then check fuel. But you have to do it almost right then because as soon as they cool they will appear to be fine. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kelly 1,033 #3 Posted June 2, 2011 What Mitch said and try opening the gas cap, the vent maybe plugged. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Backroads 0 #4 Posted June 2, 2011 What Mitch said and try opening the gas cap, the vent maybe plugged. I did actually try opening the lid on the gas tank, didnt change anything. If I was to check spark I just pull the wire off the plug or what? I dont see how else its going to continue to run and be able to visibly see spark. It actually will idle and run sitting still for quite a while. I havent been able to get the carb all adjusted. It idles great but when throttled up it surges constantly. I read the sticky and adjust the governor like it shows and still the same thing. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
puddlejumper 67 #5 Posted June 2, 2011 Since it continues to run I am going to say its a fuel problem. Cheapest first Check for fuel output from pump when hot and acting up. It doesnt cost anything to look. If that appears fine then remove clean and reinstall carb with new gasket. Last resort is a new fuel pump. 80-100$ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Backroads 0 #6 Posted June 3, 2011 I need a little help in how this all works. I popped the little metal fuel pump off, for one it wasnt on very tight and the gasket looks hard. Behind it is basically a hole and a drop of oil ran down. So does that work from crankcase vacuum? If so safe to say that possibly it wasnt sealing good and causing issues? Going to also redo the hardline because that seems to have some play in it too. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Coadster32 793 #7 Posted June 3, 2011 You could also unhook the pump from the carb, and gravity feed it. If it revs up fine, holds, and you can adjust the carb, then it's prob. the pump. Doesn't cost anything to try this either. :hide: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Backroads 0 #8 Posted June 4, 2011 So i found a couple issues... The tank is rusted like crazy inside for starters. Found out the hard way that the shutoff doesnt work! So i started to siphon what was left in the tank and was sucking up tons of chunks of rust. SOOO im taking the tank off and going to replace and or clean the whole fuel system and carb. I havent looked around yet but Im hoping i can find a replacement tank or try to salvage this one? I had the tractor number wrong its an 876. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wingrider 21 #9 Posted June 4, 2011 I had the same problem with a gas tank on a 750 Honda, it was ful of rust. I took it to a radiator shop and they rotted out the inside and then sprayed it with a sealer that stopped the rust completly. That was over 40 years ago and it looks the same now as it did when it was just sealed. You might check with a good radiator shop and ask if they are firmilar with the process and have your tank fixed for good. Good Luck wingrider Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Backroads 0 #10 Posted June 4, 2011 Thanks for the advice I am going to look into that. In the meantime, no wonder why this thing wouldnt run right This is what came out of JUST the fuel lines from the tank to the carb.... inside of the bowl had a nice hardened pile of crap in there... and just for a piece of advice, is the float right? does it need adjusted? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kelly 1,033 #11 Posted June 5, 2011 Looks like a good cleaning is needed, the float is set about were I set mine. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Backroads 0 #12 Posted June 7, 2011 Got a lot done on this beast this weekend. Got a carb rebuild and cleaned and redid just about everything. Even found another fuel tank, same style and all less the rust! Even managed to get the rusted out crusty old muffler off and replaced it with a new kohler muffler. Fired right up pretty much and got it all dialed in. It still surges a tad and does a little governor searching. I still gotta try and fine tune it a little more. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
