Need advice on carb issues GT 14

[Sailman 1,299]

Making good progress on making the GT 14 operable. Repaired the transmission leak... check.

Sandblasted and welded rear wheel...check

Got some original front wheels to replace aftermarket junk...check

Was running great but now when I give it the throttle it dies unless I pull the choke out.

Replaced the fuel filter, fuel pump is pumping tons of gas, drained the carb bowl and still having the issue.

Runs fine at idle but when I put the throttle to it it dies.

Any thoughts on what needs fixing or repair?

Rebuild or replace the carburetor?

1971 GT 14 with Kohler K321S engine.

Thanks!

 

[8ntruck 7,833]

Sounds like you might have some crud in the main jet.  A carb cleaning might get you going.

 

Good luck.

[ebinmaine 72,672]

7 hours ago, Sailman said:

Rebuild  ***** the carburetor

Kohler carbs are easy to clean up and refresh.

If the throttle bore is worn you can put repair bushings in.

 

I'm Not a fan of new replacement carbs.

[953 nut 59,995]

7 hours ago, Sailman said:

running great but now when I give it the throttle it dies unless I pull the choke out

The carburetor on a GT-14 is a bit difficult to remove and replace. On mine the solution that worked was to add Seafoam fuel treatment to the gas at a rate of 4 Oz. per gallon and run the engine RPMs up and down several times. With the engine running at high RPMs and the air filter removed I put a few drops at a time of Seafoam into the air inlet a few times (you will get a lot of smoke doing this) and let the engine recover between applications. I did this a dozen years ago and it has run fine since then. Be sure to only use ethanol free gas  https://www.pure-gas.org/.

[squonk 43,819]

51 minutes ago, 953 nut said:

The carburetor on a GT-14 is a bit difficult to remove and replace. On mine the solution that worked was to add Seafoam fuel treatment to the gas at a rate of 4 Oz. per gallon and run the engine RPMs up and down several times. With the engine running at high RPMs and the air filter removed I put a few drops at a time of Seafoam into the air inlet a few times (you will get a lot of smoke doing this) and let the engine recover between applications. I did this a dozen years ago and it has run fine since then. Be sure to only use ethanol free gas  https://www.pure-gas.org/.

Seafoam also makes a spray if your uncomfortable dribbling some in . Seafoam works the nuts! 

https://seafoamsales.com/product/sea-foam-spray-intake-valve-top-engine-cleaner/

 

[SylvanLakeWH 28,400]

1 hour ago, ebinmaine said:

Kohler carbs are easy to clean up and refresh.

 

 

 

I just did this a couple weeks ago on mine per advice I received on this forum - worked great.

[Ed Kennell 41,974]

Requiring choke at open throttle.  Could be too much air being sucked in around a worn throttle shaft bore or bad carb gasket.  With the engine running , spray WD40  around the throttle and gasket.    If the RPM increases, air is being sucked in.

[Sailman 1,299]

Appreciate the input! I had put sea foam in the gas prior to running it but more like 1 oz. per gal. Will try heavier dose and some directly into the carb. Seafoam is good stuff. I had sprayed regular carb cleaner into the intake but it did not seem to help.

Will try the suggestions here and see what works.

It had been running great. However, when it started acting up I pulled the gas line from the filter and it barely dripped out so replaced the filter and put a shut off valve in at the same time. Gas out of the tank dripped nastly black for a second and filter was blackened too. Gas running very clean now. Sounds like a bit of the nasty got into the main jet so will try the cleaners and check for air leak.

Happy Memorial Day especially to our Vets!!

Edited May 25, 2020 by Sailman
missed a word

[squonk 43,819]

You might want to replace that fuel line all the way to the tank. Sounds like it's coming apart inside.

Edited May 25, 2020 by squonk

[Sailman 1,299]

Good point. Was replaced along with filter.

[Sailman 1,299]

Still having carburetor issue. Sprayed sea foam directly into intake while running, sea foam in the gas, always use only ethanol free gas, sprayed WD 40 around gasket and throttle linkage with no RPM change. Runs good at lower rpm's but when I push throttle to high rpm's it dies unless I pull the choke. Does not seem consistent. Ran it once with no problem. Next time dies when I increase to high rpm/s. Any other advice or suggestions? Looks like a carburetor rebuild? Recommend where to get the kit? Its a Kohler K-321s engine so I think it would be a Kohler/Carter model 30 carb.  Sound right?

[ebinmaine 72,672]

1 minute ago, Sailman said:

carburetor rebuild?

Seems like you're doing the other stuff right and the troubleshooting as well. Carb clean out would be your next step, yes.

 

Understand those are kind of a bear to get to.

 

Not sure what your carb number would be.

Lincoln at A to Z tractor in PA would be able to get all the parts for you. Also would be available on eBay if you knew what number.

[Sailman 1,299]

Think I will pull the carb and see what it looks like. Guess it makes sense to pull panel between the fuel tank and engine to get at the carb. Will also let me move the fuel tank as i need to replace the sockets in the front head lights.

[ebinmaine 72,672]

I'm not sure what is entailed in getting at the carburetor on a gt14 but hopefully some others will chime in and let you know the thing that should be done, while you're in there.

 

@953 nut

@19richie66

 

 

[953 nut 59,995]

Pulling the gas tank and fire wall will work especially if it is a '69 with the open grill. Another method is to unbolt the engine and rotate it to the left side. either way it is an all-day sucker.

[gt14rider 947]

Remove governor linkage, fuel line, choke cable,  unbolt carb, bolts have screw driver slot, use small screw driver to loosen bolts, may have to loosen heat shield.  I've done it, not fun , but beats pulling front end apart

[Sailman 1,299]

Its a 1971 so no open front. Sounds like a PIA but will take the advice given here. any thoughts on just replacing the carburetor with one from I Save Small Tractors? I think they are about $60.

[ebinmaine 72,672]

4 hours ago, Sailman said:

replacing the carburetor

There are those who have bought cheap import carbs and been ok.

 

I am NOT one of them.

 

I will NOT advise anyone to buy one.

 

The Kohler original carb is a great design and easy to clean.

 

IMHO that's the only way to go.

If you find a loose throttle shaft that too is repairable.

[Skipper 1,789]

Rebuild for sure. Heck, it is probably just a cleanout that is required. It ran, then you got some gunk in the fuel, and now it doesn't run. Don't chase problems that perhaps ain't there. Clean out the carb good, and chances are good that you are up and running again. I would clean out the gas tank too, now that you are at it. New fuel line and filter is also the way to go. 

Edited June 9, 2020 by Skipper