Electric fuel pump K341

[daveoman1966 3,752]

The FUEL PUMP on my C-160 Auto with K341 engine...   went south (I think). 

Tractor starts easily and runs strong for a minute or so, then completely dies. Wait few seconds and it starts up, only to die again.

QUESTION: Should a CLEAR gas line filter be completely full when running, or not? Mine is NOT full---just a little at the bottom end.

QUESTION: Does the fuel pump SUCK gas from the tank thru the filter, or is it gravity fed?

Would an ELECTRIC fuel pump cure the ills???   If yes, best source for one??? 

 

 

 

 

[ebinmaine 67,502]

7 minutes ago, daveoman1966 said:

QUESTION: Should a CLEAR gas line filter be completely full when running, or not? Mine is NOT full---just a little at the bottom end.

 

No it is NOT full when running.  I use those filters. Mine stay half full or even less. 

 

 

7 minutes ago, daveoman1966 said:

QUESTION: Does the fuel pump SUCK gas from the tank thru the filter, or is it gravity fed?

 

The fuel pumps on a Kohler do PULL gas from the tank but they aren't great at it. Keep in mind these pumps were designed back when many tanks (including Kohler's own) were on or above the carburetor. 

 

7 minutes ago, daveoman1966 said:

Would an ELECTRIC fuel pump cure the ills???   If yes, best source for one??? 

 

 

Remove the fuel tank CAP and repeat the test. 

There could be a blockage in the cap vent. 

 

If that produces the same result, remove the fuel line from the carb and verify that there's fuel coming TO the carb. 

You could also try running the engine using a test gas can mounted above the engine like an IV bag/tube. 

This eliminates the tractor's fuel circuit altogether. 

 

 

Here's a thread I've saved in my notes  with some good information: 

 

 

 

 

 

[ebinmaine 67,502]

It occurred to me a bit after that last post that there's a potential for the fuel filter or screen to be an issue. 

 

Verify that the in-tank screen is whole and usable. You can visually see through the cap to do this or even better, disconnect the fuel line from the INLET of the fuel pump and verify that you have a good gravity feed from tank to pump. 

 

@squonk brought to my attention a few months ago that these inline see through filters have been known to vapor lock. 

I personally haven't had it happen but it's a well known issue on the interwebs. 

 

 

[953 nut 55,230]

If your fuel hose hasn't been replaced in the past decade it could be the problem. The bubber can have a small crack that won't leak fluid but will allow air into the line and no fuel pump will pull liquid when it can pull air so much easier. The fuel filter housing could also have a crack.

[Ed Kennell 38,178]

When I suspect a fuel delivery problem, I start at the carb and work back till I find the problem,

The first thing I do is remove the fuel line at the carb and crank the engine.  (safely holding the line in a container of course)

 

If you have a strong spurting supply, then the problem is in the carb. 

   If there is not a good spurting supply,, then remove the line into the fuel pump. If you have a free flowing fuel supply, replace the fuel pump with electric or rebuild the mechanical.

If no free flow to the pump,  the petcock in  the tank is probably blocked.

 

[peter lena 8,628]

@daveoman1966 https://www.amazon.com/CarBole-Universal-2-3-5P-S-I-Operating-Self-Priming/dp/B01IR6BNKY/ref=sr_1_3_pp?di  have a couple of these carbol electric pumps , low pressure , very quiet / reliable , fuel line  is never solid fuel , always a pulsing , steady flow , have 2 fuel filters in all my set ups , large one close to tank, smaller one close to carb , also have a fuel check valve close to carb , another thing thats vital is fuel hose break down , without starting a war, since , replacing my fuel hoses , tank valve , and using STA BIL FUEL STORAGE ADDITIVE , their is absolutely zero HOSE DEBRIS in my filters or carb bowl . also never run my tank low / empty , always top off after use , and add 1 oz  of STABIL to the top off . this has been the elimination  of hose break down and related  fuel crud. would not suggest / refer this if it were not giving me solid results . good idea to entirely replace fuel hose / related . that removes all hose break down , have nothing but fuel in my set up , change the repetitive , failure , pete  

[peter lena 8,628]

@daveoman1966   almost forgot , this should really freak out the purests , also i use   5 /16  I/D  fuel hose , easy to get brass screw in slide , with dark green squeeze clamps . pete  

[daveoman1966 3,752]

Just to be sure...  I had asked if the clear plastic fuel filter should be full when engine is running and, if not, is that an indication that the fuel pump is DOA.  Some answered that it would not be. Today I swapped out the fuel pump for a known good one, and the fuel filter is now FULL...note the little bubble on top.  Before I swapped out the fuel pump, one could only see a little bit of fuel.   All is well that ends well, I guess.   

 NEXT---needing a rebuild kit for the K341 fuel pump... WHERE CAN I GET ONE???  

   

Edited June 1 by daveoman1966

[ebinmaine 67,502]

1 hour ago, daveoman1966 said:

NEXT---needing a rebuild kit for the K341 fuel pump... WHERE CAN I GET ONE???  

 

Cheap ones without the plungers can be had on fleeebay or isavetractors. 

 

To get top quality call Then and Now Automotive in Massachusetts.  

 

 

[Handy Don 12,232]

1 hour ago, daveoman1966 said:

if the clear plastic fuel filter should be full when engine is running

It depends on the angle at which the filter is aligned. If vertical (or nearly) as you have it and inlet slde up (as you have it), then it has to fill to get fuel to the engine.

Lying on its side or with the inlet side down, it need not fill.

 

[Bill D 1,921]

I've changed out my mechanical pumps to vacuum pulse pumps.  I made a mounting plate from stainless steel and installed the pump on that.  Got them on three different machines.  They work great.  I use Briggs or Kawasaki pumps.  If you go this route stay away from cheap Chinese pumps.  The Briggs and Kawasaki pumps are made in Japan by Mikuni.