Well I got my 1872 running and mowed for the 1st time this season today. For those that have followed my bumps in the road for the last few months. It's nice to have it working again. Well sorta. In a thread last fall I mentioned that the troubles started when I stopped on the hill to get this pic.
I was told that It wasn't sitting on the hill that caused the problem. Yes it was and I now know why.
Long story short after that pic next time I used the tractor the engine was full of fuel and I've been chasing probs ever since. Fuel filled case blew the mainseal. I replaced with wrong seal and blew that too. So as of this week I installed a new fuel pump and a new fuel tank (critter chewed into it). I had already rebuilt the carb with a new kit and float.
It was running like a top and having no trouble at all with the knee deep grass. Then I turned and headed down hill and heard a pop and lot's of white smoke and the engine died instantly. I was facing down hill. Couldn't even get the starter to engage. I pulled it back up the hill with the truck and swore I was ready to go by a new green tractor with a diesel ( yes quite serious). I let it sit for a bit on level ground. Pulled the plugs and turned it over. OK every thing looked fine. Got it started and after a couple of seconds the smoke cleared and all seemed fine. So I ran it for a bit then resumed mowing.
About 3 times it acted up again. Every time I was pointed downhill with the right front wheel down. Seems that the float wants to stick open when the tractor is in that position. Not every time but randomly. Each time I turned the PTO off quick and throttled down. The engine then was able to clear itself and I could resume mowing. I got the yard finished. Pulled into the garage and shut it down. I started hearing a hissing/sizzling sound. I looked with a flashlight and OMG! The carb was leaking fuel on the hot block and sizzling it away. I quickly restarted the tractor and pulled it OUTSIDE away from the house. Turned it off and opened the side covers and turned off the fuel. Then I clamped the fuel line prior to the carb with needle nose Vice Grips. And there she sits.
1st of the week I will locate not 1 but 2 KOHLER carbs with the adjustable main jet. Then I will put kits in both and install 1 having the other as a ready to go backup on the shelf.
Then I will take that total piece of junk Walbro carb and set it on a stump in the woods. Next I will take great pleasure in blowing it into the stratosphere with a 300 grain jacketed silhouette round from my 44 magnum Ruger Super Blackhawk!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Does any one know the Kohler part # for the K17 Kohler carb?