[weinrich15]

Hi. I have a an older 316 with a K321 in it. I believe I have a carb problem but cant figure it out. It wont start/run except at very very low idle with choke wide open and throttle fully closed. Otherwise it floods with fuel out the throat. It will respond nicely to starter fluid so Im pretty sure its fuel.

Its a Kohler #30 carb. I rebuilt the carbs fully 3 times. soaked them well/carb cleaner/compressed air. I've gone through 2 kohler rebuild kits. I notice that even the new kit float valve sticks in its new holder. When I blow into the carb fuel line input I cant produce enough pressure with my mouth to make the pin unseat and float down. If I used compressed air it will drop down. Not sure what pressure the fuel pump delivers but I took it off and it seems able to have suck/blow.

Maybe Im barking up the wrong tree. At this point im stumped. I'd love some advice.
Thanks,
Adam

 

[knottyrope]

sounds like float sticking and getting too much gas

 

[E Behm]

I don't know how it can flood if the needle is stuck in the seat? or is the float hanging up and the needle is not stuck in the seat causing it to flood?

 

[weinrich15]

Eric makes a good point that the fuel intake would shut off if the float was stuck up. Im still confused as to why it appears to stick, especially for new needle/seat, but Im probably letting that distract me from another problem that is the cause of the flooding.

It does sound like its flooding right? Why else would fuel drip out. Is the engine running only at completely open choke and closed throttle symptomatic of something else?

 

[ryan214]

I have heard about cheap rebuild kits that use an unknown rubber substance on the tip of the needle. This rubber reacts badly with gas and swells and sticks very easily, even when new. Some better quality use some rubber like a neoprene or something that is known, but it can still stick. They make solid brass needles so if the $10 or so to get one isn't going to bother you, give it a shot and see what happens.

http://gardentractorpullingtips.com/a1miller.htm#a1carb

There is a solid brass needle on this page, just after the section with gaskets.
Ryan