Bermuda Triangle in my Backyard

[jellyghost 378]

During my last 3-4 mows, the tractor dies after about an hour.  It always leaves me stranded in the same location in my backyard at a slight incline.  It doesn't seem to be out of gas, but it may be fuel related.  After letting it sit for a while, it will restart with difficult and limp to the shed.  It's starts with difficulty at the beginning of the mow too, but it runs like a champ for the first hour.  

I have recently replaced the air filter and battery.  I don't think my air filter was working properly because the housing was loose.  The housing is now snug around the filter.  Does anyone have an idea about what is going on?  I am a mechanical novice, but I was wondering if it has a dirty carburetor.

[bds1984 1,500]

I would check the carb.  You clearly have fuel getting to the carb and spark at the spark plug.  Over the years I have had similar issues on lots of engines, most of which resulted from dirt in the carb and ethanol fuel gumming up and leaving behind what looks like gummy pearls.  After you clean out the carb, I'd tackle the fuel lines and put a new fuel filter on it.  Good luck.

[AndyK149 62]

sounds like a weak fuel pump.  I think I have the same problem on my 312.  If I point the tractor downhill it will run better again once the bowl fills up.  Same with starting.  Check the carb, lines and filter first, as noted above.  

[dells68 7,499]

Could the coil be getting weak and quit putting out strong spark when it gets hot?

[Lee1977 7,232]

My thoughts are the coil. When my fuel pump on my C-120 quit it would only run about 20 minuets. Then it had to set 30 minuets before it would start back and it has the gas tank behind the dash.

Nine times out of ten when they quit running it is down hill from the garage and the fartherest point in the yard.

Edited July 9, 2019 by Lee1977

[Goldnboy 1,035]

I agree with coil you can do simple test with multiple meter. I had same issue with my tractor last summer. These were posted by members years ago by redsquare members. 

 

If you still have issues PM and I could stop by since your on the KC Metro also

[diesel cowboy 263]

2 hours ago, jellyghost said:

It always leaves me stranded in the same location in my backyard at a slight incline.

Just throwing this out there as something to check since you said it's on a slight incline.  Check the float and make sure it doesn't have a tiny hole letting gas fill it up.  I had a customer bring a Jacobsen in once that would run perfect all day long until he'd try to go downhill to the right then it would sputter and die and not start again for at least a couple hours.  Once I got it to do it I pulled the carb. apart and the float was partially filled with gas, so when the right front side of the tractor started going down it made the gas run to the opposite side of the float from the hinge causing it to flood itself out

[edgro 680]

I had one do something similar to that, and it was the screen on the fuel tank valve was clogged

[jellyghost 378]

43 minutes ago, edgro said:

I had one do something similar to that, and it was the screen on the fuel tank valve was clogged

Where is this screen?

[oliver2-44 10,783]

The shutoff valve on the bottom of your tank has a screen attached to it inside the tank.  

[SylvanLakeWH 28,633]

I would also check that your gas cap is venting properly...

[953 nut 60,390]

I agree wit Jim on the vent being the likely problem. As fuel is used the level goes down and without a good vent in the cap there will be enough of a vacuum developed that the fuel pump can't overcome it. Might try this, next time you mow, stop and remove the cap for a moment when you are about half done, see if it helps.

[bds1984 1,500]

1 hour ago, 953 nut said:

I agree wit Jim on the vent being the likely problem. As fuel is used the level goes down and without a good vent in the cap there will be enough of a vacuum developed that the fuel pump can't overcome it. Might try this, next time you mow, stop and remove the cap for a moment when you are about half done, see if it helps.

 

I second this.  I had this happen with my grandma's 1930 Model A five-window coupe a few summers ago.  We drove it for an hour before stopping at a Dairy Queen and it would not restart.  After getting it towed back home, I thought about checking the gas and as soon as I cracked open the lid I heard a rush of air go into the tank and the metal expanded outward.  It started up no problem.  Sometimes the simple things are often overlooked....

[jeff lary 173]

Does the engine have a low oil sentry ? if it does the slight tilt may be enough to set it off and shut the engine down.

[richmondred01 2,307]

Is it an onan?

[jellyghost 378]

My tractor is a C-101 with the original 10hp K series kohler.  

It's not starting at all now, and I think it is a fuel issue.  If it spray some carb cleaner into the air intake, it starts right up for a few seconds.

Should I start by working on the carburetor?

If so, should I rebuild or buy a new one.  A rebuild kit is about $10 and a new one is about $20.  I would gladly pay the extra $10 if it was easier to install and less of a chance of messing it up.  What is your opinion?  Is there a downside to installing a new one?

 

[Stormin 9,985]

  See what's in the float bowl first. If there's a sediment, Shine a torch in the tank and see if there's any dirt in there. If so remove the fuel tap and check the filter. If damaged fit a replacement and flush the tank. Disconnect the fuel line from the pump inlet and run fuel through into a glass jar. If it comes through clean, then see to the carb.

 

[richmondred01 2,307]

First do as Stormin explained.

There will be debate over my next response. I’ve been Rebuilding the Kohlers for 40 plus years. What I’ve seen over the last ten years is a great deal of carbon buildup. Is it the gas? Maybe however, on every engine with a Chinese knock off carb the carbon is far worse.

Why? They run rich. You lean them out they run like garbage.

rebuild you Kohler carb. Clean it well use a Kohler or stens kit. If the carb is leaking air through the throttle shaft press a bushing in or sent it to Brian Miller.

 

 

[953 nut 60,390]

2 hours ago, Stormin said:

Shine a torch in the tank and see if there's any dirt in there.

Norman, on this side of the pond it is a flashlight.      this is a torch!         

[Stormin 9,985]

7 hours ago, 953 nut said:

Norman, on this side of the pond it is a flashlight.      this is a torch!         

 

Aye! But tha divan't talk proper like wot I do.

 

Actually, we refer to both electric and gas as torches. Why use two words when one will do.

[lynnmor 7,859]

Yes, but a torch will clean it up better than new. 

[jellyghost 378]

On 7/11/2019 at 4:29 PM, Stormin said:

  See what's in the float bowl first. If there's a sediment, Shine a torch in the tank and see if there's any dirt in there. If so remove the fuel tap and check the filter. If damaged fit a replacement and flush the tank. Disconnect the fuel line from the pump inlet and run fuel through into a glass jar. If it comes through clean, then see to the carb.

 

I took the bowl off.  It did not have any fuel in it, and it looked pretty clean.  There was a fine bronze dust in it.

After trying to start it again, I took the bowl off, and there was no fuel.

I think My tractor has two fuel pumps. One is switched and is located before the fuel filter.  It is marked napa.

I took the fuel filter off and put it below the tank.  It immediately filled with gas. 

EDIT: I deleted something about a cracked float.  I just took it back apart, and I can't find it. Maybe I saw a piece of grass laying on the float.

 

Edited July 13, 2019 by jellyghost

[jellyghost 378]

I assume that I keep disconnecting  junctions on the fuel line until it doesn't spit fuel when I try to start?

[Tuneup 1,452]

Interesting. So, someone installed an electric pump, perhaps because the pump on the engine is weak? If you disconnect the fuel line at the carb and crank it, is there fuel flowing? If not, well, look back towards the tank. If so, carb. Since the carb bowl is dry, seems like it's a pump, line, filter, tank screen issue. You're getting there!

[dells68 7,499]

When you take the bowl off, have you checked to see if the needle valve is coming down with the float?  I’ve seen them occasionally stick causing an engine to run erratic or even die.