Kohler Command 23 fueling issues?

[SwampSurvivor]

I have a Cub Cadet z turn with a Command23 engine.

This year when I pulled it out to mow it didn't want to start. Gave it a toot of starting fluid and it started and ran okay. But seemed to pop and after fire once it got warm. Definitely down on power. Noticed that the fuel filter was consistently empty.

Second time mowing, I got it stuck and it just died. No fuel in the filter at all. Got it running by continually squirting starting fluid in it.

Pulled the line off at the tank and there was no suction. Disconnected the line at the pump and it siphoned out no problem when I dropped the line down low. Lines aren't plugged.

Went online, bought the correct Kohler fuel pump (not amazon cheapie). Swapped it in 3 minutes. It started fine and ran good for a minute, then started smoking then died. Fuel was coming out of the carb.

Seems now that it is getting too much fuel ?

I've had suggestions that I may have knocked crud free when I changed the pump and now the needle isn't able to seat? Or the float is jammed and causing overfueling? I'll pull the carb apart and clean it out.

Anyone else have ideas?

 

[fantastic]

Yeah sounds like it's the needle and seat acting up? Try a china carb or clean and keep stabil in your fuel if you don't.

 

[Brian123]

Do you blow this machine off after each use? Check the Fuel Cap and make sure it is Venting properly.
Start it up and run it, when it dies, take the fuel cap off and see if it starts.

 

[mk378]

The only reason fuel will overflow the carb and run out the intake is because the float/needle is stuck. Remove the carb and clean it.

 

[SwampSurvivor]

Do you blow this machine off after each use? Check the Fuel Cap and make sure it is Venting properly.
Start it up and run it, when it dies, take the fuel cap off and see if it starts.

Fuel cap doesn't seal at all

The only reason fuel will overflow the carb and run out the intake is because the float/needle is stuck. Remove the carb and clean it.

I do think some junk got into it from when I changed the pump out. I'll remove the shroud and try it.

Yeah sounds like it's the needle and seat acting up? Try a china carb or clean and keep stabil in your fuel if you don't.

I won't feel bad about switching to a China carb if I can't get it figured out - it's already got one of those. They are only $30 on amazon and I'll have it in 2 days!

 

[Brian123]

Do you blow this machine off after each use? Check the Fuel Cap and make sure it is Venting properly.
Start it up and run it, when it dies, take the fuel cap off and see if it starts.

Fuel cap doesn't seal at all

The Penguin and Seal Joke. LOL
I am so careful every time I have an Ice Cream Cone.

 

[SwampSurvivor]

I think there has to be something wrong with the fuel pump. It's the right one for this engine family.
Took the carburetor off and it looks fine. Nothing inside at all. Put it back together and it's still doing the same thing.

I hate carburetors.

 

[Brian123]

I think there has to be something wrong with the fuel pump. It's the right one for this engine family.
Took the carburetor off and it looks fine. Nothing inside at all. Put it back together and it's still doing the same thing.

I hate carburetors.

There is a product called mechanic In A Bottle, you can pick it up at Home Depot or order it online. This is a long shot, I did this with a carburetor on my little lawn mower that was plugged up.

 

[ripcord]

Take the fuel bowl off the carb and disconnect the fuel line at the fuel filter. (You may need something to pinch the fuel line with to prevent gas from leaking all over.) Then, blow through the hose while pushing up on the float. This should stop the air from going through the hose no matter how hard you blow. Releasing the float should allow air to pass freely. If this test fails, you have either some dirt in the needle and seat or you need a new one.

 

[grasscutter]

I hate carburetors.

You hate them because you don't understand them and you don't want to take the time to learn how they work.

That attitude is going to be a major hinderance to your ability to repair small engines.

 

[SwampSurvivor]

I put a $30 Amazon carburetor on it and it's running great again. Apart from the hydrolock from the other one filling the engine up with gas.

I took the old one apart again and I still can't find anything wrong with it.

Float seems to work just fine, needle/seat are clean as far as my eyes can tell.