2135 stalling
 

I have a 2135 and it starts fine but then after it heats up for maybe 15 to 30 minutes it stalls. Starts choking and when I look at the fuel filter there is no fuel in it. I let it cool off and it will run for a while and then stall again. Should the fuel filter always have gas visible? The filter is a generic one bought at Home Depot.

I saw another post for a similar problem and suggestions included fuel line from tank, gas cap filter, and fuel pump. There was never an answer to the solution. How do you check these items?

Thanks!

I'd pull the fuel line off at the fuel pump and see if you have a decent flow. Like has been said before we are seeing a lot of fuel lines deteriorating on the inside. I have one in my shop right now that will be getting all new hose from the tank to the carb. Also make sure the heat insulation on the hose is good, if the fuel gets to hot it can boil and cause vapor lock. Check the vent on the gas cap. Check the fuel pump. Check to make sure you don’t have something in the tank blocking the outlet. :beerchug:

2135 stalling
 

Sam Mac,

Thanks for your insight. I think it is the fuel pump. I got a new pump and hoses and am trying to reassemble. All done except putting the linkage from the choke to the air filter plate back on. It is like a jig saw puzzle figuring how to get the linkage together. I am sure it is easy, but I am perplexed! any insight?

This is a link to the Kohler service manual

http://www.kohlerengines.com/onlinec.../tp_2402_a.pdf

Thank you. I always wanted to get one.

I changed the fuel pump and the hoses, except the one from the tank to the filter. I checked the tank air filter and it was clear. It still won't start, but when I spray starter into the carb it starts indicating the spark is good, but then dies. It sounds like it is not getting fuel.

I had replaced the fuel filter previously with a generic one from Home Depot. Should it always be full? It has some gas in it now and before when the engine stalled, it looked like the filter was empty.

Any ideas how to change the line from the tank? Would it be the carb?

I always change the fuel line on tractors of your tractors age, every hose from the tank all the way to the carb. Doubt that the filter is the problem. I also flush out the tank. Pull the seat and fender pan to get at it, also a good time to clean the crud that builds up on the transmission. This is a pic of a 2185 but it's pretty much the same deal on all the 2000 series tractors. Are you sure you put the new pump in correctly? Not sure but I think I recall mention of it being possible to get it wrong on some Kohlers. You may want to post a question in the engine section, we have some very sharp Kohler guys that keep an eye on that area of the forum.

what i have noticed around here is the ethanol is eating the rubber fuel line and the rubber in the fuel pumps......soumds like you got air coming in somewhere.

Thanks to all. More things to check. Could there be a carb problem?

Yep could be but we don't have enough info to know. Try running it with a clean hose to the fuel pump and filter stuck into a jug of gas.

I removed the hose at the carb and turned it over and gas started to pump out so it seems gas is getting to the carb. If it is the carb. is it better to replace it or rebuild. If I rebuild it are there any tricks or words of caution?

Sounds like you need to pull the carb and take a look inside. It depends on how bad it is.

Just wondering how you are making out on this one?:bigthink:

2166 Stalling
 

I have a 2166 with 16hp Kohler Command that is acting much like other engines in the forum. I found that the fuel was getting too hot and boiling. This was throwing too much gasoline and vapor into the carb and flooding it out. I totally by-passed the 'hard' fuel line with rubber fuel hose away from the engine block. Now the engine will run for 35 minutes under load before it cuts off. Could the next thing be a coil problem. Thanks

Having the same issue
 

I was just wondering if anyone else was able to determine what this problem is/was. I have a 2135 and have been having the same issue. I replaced all the gas line, took the metal line out and re-routed it, new fuel pump, filter, cleaned the gas tank, and rebuilt/cleaned the carb several times. I have still not found a solution to the problem. Any help would be greatly appreciated......before I take the mower to the target range, lol. Thanks in advance.

Did you check/clean the screen on the fuel tank fitting?

Did you clean the carb?

Have you determined it is a fuel issue? Or are you just guessing it's a fuel issue?

The problem I am having is that after running for about 15-20 min. it stalls out and there is no fuel in the filter. To get it running again, I take off the air filter and spray carb cleaner or fuel into the carb and try to start it. It takes a little bit but eventually starts. It will run again for a while and then do the same thing again. I cleaned the screen on the fuel tank, cleaned and put a rebuild kit in the carb, took out the metal gas line from the fuel pump to the carb and re-routed a rubber line around the motor (thinking it was getting too hot), cleaned the gas cap valve, new fuel pump, and new fuel lines.

If it is starting when I spray fuel or carb cleaner into the carb, then it should be a fuel issue correct? I saw on this thread to try using a screen fuel filter instead of the regular ones. I was going to try that next.

I am not a mechanic by far so I don't know if I'm on the right track or not. Just learning to work on small engines on my own from videos and threads. I'm just getting frustrated because this is the third year now of this issue and I can't seem to figure it out. I took it to a shop last year and it did not act up for them, go figure.

I was also thinking of a possible carb adjustment issue, but not sure.

You say there is no fuel in the filter. I am assuming that you are using a clear plastic filter with a paper element. Remove it. Install either a small disc fuel screen filter, or a steel housing fuel filter. Those cheap plastic ones for some reason tend to inhibit the fuel pumps ability to suck. I don't know why. Even if it is the same style that was original, remove it. I suggest using a disc/screen style to see if the problem goes away. If so, then move up to the steel housing filter and see if the issue returns or not. Pretty sure the issue is the filter style. I've seen this before.

On a second note, I don't see where you replaced the fuel pump. Your pump may also be weak. I suggest going to an electric pump mounted near the tank.

I did replace the pump, not electronic one, just the same that was on it. The filter that I am using is a plastic paper style. I am going to try the one you suggested to see if it fixes the problem. I will let you know what the result is. Thank you for the help.

2135 is pretty much like all of the 2000 series Cubs. Fuel tank feeds a hose to the filter then to the pump. Fuel line from the tank to the filter at this age should be replaced. It tends to collapse and restrict flow. Tank should be removed and cleaned to remove debris, doesn't take much to block the flow. OEM type filter should work just fine. Fuel pump may need to be replaced if the output is weak. Next thing in line is the carb. It may need a good cleaning and a rebuild. Reality is it's not a new tractor anymore. People try to avoid having to remove the fender pan and tank because it's a PITA but from what I've seen on the 2000's a new fuel line and a clean tank solve most of the problems. Just my 2 cents but I've seen too many fuel lines with problems and in my opinion ethanol gas is a big part of the problem, many of the older machines where built before ethanol and the hose's are not designed for it. I know I will get differing views on the ethanol issue, mostly from guys that are involved in the corn industry. Just for the record I'm all for ethanol in Booze and food.

J-Mech,
I got a metal screen type filter and put it in and mowed yesterday. About half way through my yard it started to stall out again. I was able to keep it running by using the choke and removed the side panels to the engine, (suggested by another person). The mower started running fine again and I finished mowing with the side panels off. I believe the fuel is getting too hot and causing issues. Is there anything I can do to insulate the fuel lines to prevent this. This issue seems to occur after the mower gets hot from cutting.

Sam Mac,

I replaced all the fuel lines last year and cleaned the tank. I replaced the fuel pump this year and replaced the metal fuel line with a rubber line and re-routed it away from the engine. I believe my issue is the fuel is getting too hot in the line somewhere. As I just found yesterday that if I remove the side panels on the engine, my mower will run. I do work this little beast pretty good and the engine compartment gets very hot. I need to figure out a way to insulate the fuel lines and see if I am able to run it with the side back on.

These problems occur after the engine has been running, and is hot. One thing I would check first is to see if any mice have been nesting under the cylinder head heat shroud. I have found this to be a problem in several small engines because of the nesting material causing the engine to overheat. It should be easy enough to remove the heat shrouds to check.
That was the simple one, the next is the coil as Rocketman suggested.