pfrederi 17,739 #26 Posted June 30 Off idle port and Bowl vent. Look a the Kohler K series manual it covers Walbros 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Racinbob 11,081 #27 Posted June 30 I see the K-Series manual covers Walbros better than the Magnum manual. I'm at a complete loss at what else to do so I just ordered the correct (I hope) kit with new plugs. I go ahead and do another cleaning with those removed and see what happens. I know I said I'd try a Kohler K-341 carb on it but I keep telling myself that this Walbro CAN be fixed. I would rather do that than a carb swap. Subject to change................................ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Handy Don 12,227 #28 Posted June 30 Cavities and channels covered by Welch plugs can, and often do, harbor crud. My Onan P218 underwent three cleanings (two with ultrasonic) without success before I relented and removed the Welch plug. Yep, crud. Fourth time and it purrs. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Racinbob 11,081 #29 Posted June 30 1 hour ago, Handy Don said: Cavities and channels covered by Welch plugs can, and often do, harbor crud. My Onan P218 underwent three cleanings (two with ultrasonic) without success before I relented and removed the Welch plug. Yep, crud. Fourth time and it purrs. I'm hoping that's the case for me. I'm not going to remove them until I get the new kit in my hands. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Handy Don 12,227 #30 Posted June 30 49 minutes ago, Racinbob said: I'm hoping that's the case for me. I'm not going to remove them until I get the new kit in my hands. Excellent plan! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 67,498 #31 Posted June 30 1 hour ago, Racinbob said: I'm hoping that's the case for me. I'm not going to remove them until I get the new kit in my hands. Bob if the kit doesn't have the right size plug(s) your local hardware store might. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Racinbob 11,081 #32 Posted June 30 5 minutes ago, ebinmaine said: Bob if the kit doesn't have the right size plug(s) your local hardware store might. I never would have thought they would be hardware store items. That's good to know. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Handy Don 12,227 #33 Posted June 30 26 minutes ago, ebinmaine said: Bob if the kit doesn't have the right size plug(s) your local hardware store might. Well a coupla years ago when I went to the best hardware store in the area I got an “are you crazy?” look! And this from the woman who knew what they were, though she called them “freeze plugs" Luckily, I got the aluminum one in the rebuild kit and would love to have a couple of spares if I could find a way to get fewer than a bag of 10 for $20! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 67,498 #34 Posted June 30 26 minutes ago, Handy Don said: Well a coupla years ago when I went to the best hardware store in the area I got an “are you crazy?” look! And this from the woman who knew what they were, though she called them “freeze plugs" Luckily, I got the aluminum one in the rebuild kit and would love to have a couple of spares if I could find a way to get fewer than a bag of 10 for $20! If you bought that I'd be happy to split it with you. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Handy Don 12,227 #35 Posted June 30 9 minutes ago, ebinmaine said: If you bought that I'd be happy to split it with you. What size do you use? The Onan uses ⅜" Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 67,498 #36 Posted June 30 2 minutes ago, Handy Don said: What size do you use? The Onan uses ⅜" I'd have to check... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Racinbob 11,081 #37 Posted July 5 Well guys, the carb kit came today. What's wrong with this picture? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 67,498 #38 Posted July 5 42 minutes ago, Racinbob said: Well guys, the carb kit came today. What's wrong with this picture? Did you want a needle n seat? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Racinbob 11,081 #39 Posted July 5 8 minutes ago, ebinmaine said: Did you want a needle n seat? Thanks Eric but I should be fine. I sent the guy a message and within 10 minutes he got back to me with an apology and assurance a FULL kit will be on its way. Since I have the tractor apart I'm doing everything including a Mr Gasket fuel pump like I use on my 2005 Classic. In the meantime I get to play with the B80 to B160 to B80 tractor. I won't complain about the seat time tomorrow either. I need to mow and this time with only with one tractor. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Racinbob 11,081 #40 Posted July 12 The seller was quick to send me another (and complete) kit. I had another semi emergency to take care of so I couldn't get right back on the Walbro. I finally did this morning. Removed the two welsh plugs and did another complete cleaning. Put it all back together and I picked up another Mr. Gasket 42s electric pump like the one on my 2005. I really like where I located it on the 8 speed but obviously that's a no go on the hydro. It looks like just behind the engine is the hot ticket on this one. I found a bracket at Menards yesterday that looks like it was made for it. 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 67,498 #41 Posted July 12 7 hours ago, Racinbob said: Mr. Gasket 42s electric pump Are those the more quiet type? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Racinbob 11,081 #42 Posted July 13 1 hour ago, ebinmaine said: Are those the more quiet type? I would say yes. I hear a little whir when I turn the key on. The cheapy on the 854 is more like a piston pump but still not bad. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Racinbob 11,081 #43 Posted July 31 Ok guys, I've had it. I got it back together and took a test drive. Everything seemed fine. That is until we were mowing the yard. I came back to the house after mowing the paths and the tractor was parked in front of the garage with the area my wife does only about half done. I asked her what it did and, in typical wife form, I get a long winded explanation with sound effects and all. A simple 'it was starving for fuel' would have been enough. I'm DONE with this carburetor. Please don't tell me it's still not clean. I think I can safely say it's as clean as it can possibly get. Even though the fuel flow seems fine I'm going to get the electric pump on it and try again. I was planning that no matter what. I've decided I don't want to put a carb on it from the K-341 and, assuming the electric doesn't fix it, just get a new one. I really don't want to try one of those cheapy China things on Ebay. Isavetractors.com has a direct replacement, right down to the correct choke lever for about three times the cost of the cheapys and that's fine. Am I correct in thinking you folks have had good luck with those? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 67,498 #44 Posted July 31 1 minute ago, Racinbob said: Isavetractors.com has a direct replacement, right down to the correct choke lever for about three times the cost of the cheapys and that's fine. Am I correct in thinking you folks have had good luck with those? I.... can't recommend them... I've had two of his carburetors here on machines that we've purchased that were not super old and didn't have a lot of hours. One was on the backhoe we bought from @wallfish John. Another one on a parts engine. On both examples, the upper throttle shaft bore of the body of the carburetor was very badly worn. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Racinbob 11,081 #45 Posted July 31 52 minutes ago, ebinmaine said: I.... can't recommend them... I've had two of his carburetors here on machines that we've purchased that were not super old and didn't have a lot of hours. One was on the backhoe we bought from @wallfish John. Another one on a parts engine. On both examples, the upper throttle shaft bore of the body of the carburetor was very badly worn. Any idea why Eric? Inferior materials? Can it be bushed? What would you recommend? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 67,498 #46 Posted July 31 1 minute ago, Racinbob said: Any idea why Eric? Inferior materials? Can it be bushed? What would you recommend? I can't really put a metric to how long a Kohler carburetor lasts from original. It seems logical to me that the aluminum alloy being used for the newer ones is softer or less resistant to wear somehow. I am no metallurgist. I may have kept one of those two and I can take a look at it to see if it can be bushed. I don't remember off the top of my head. It occurs to me as I write this that the two or three ORIGINAL carbs I've seen with lower bores worn out were Walbro carbs off Magnum engines. Perhaps a Magnum and/or a Walbro may have a slightly different pulling mechanism than the older Kohler carbs did. Maybe it's a difference in the way a Magnum is connected or governed versus an older K series. So what would I do if I was in your shoes? I do believe that a brand new piece from Isave is a good running carb. I do believe it would last you 3 to 5 years or maybe even a little longer before you head to fiddle with it. The reason I personally would not mess with one of those is that for the $75 to $90 you spend, I would rather get a known good usable older original and spend 25 bucks rebuilding it. Dollars for donuts you'd be right around the same range and I think the dependability long-term would be better on the older original. In your particular case I'm really beginning to wonder if it isn't the carburetor at all but some different starvation issue........ 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Handy Don 12,227 #47 Posted July 31 2 minutes ago, ebinmaine said: it isn't the carburetor at all but some different starvation issue. High humidity causing a carb freeze? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Racinbob 11,081 #48 Posted July 31 1 hour ago, ebinmaine said: In your particular case I'm really beginning to wonder if it isn't the carburetor at all but some different starvation issue........ I'm kinda wondering that myself. I think about the fact that this tractor has only been used to push snow all it's life until I got it. It never even had a belt on the PTO until now. Pushing snow only requires a fraction of the horsepower that mowing does. So for 29 years it had a cushy job and now it's being asked to do more. Any connection? I don't know. I believe the electric pump will resolve any fuel starvation issues if that's the case. 1 hour ago, Handy Don said: High humidity causing a carb freeze? I haven't heard of that but I almost feel like I'm in uncharted waters here so ?? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tunahead72 2,412 #49 Posted July 31 2 hours ago, Racinbob said: ... got it back together and took a test drive. Everything seemed fine. That is until we were mowing the yard. I came back to the house after mowing the paths and the tractor was parked in front of the garage with the area my wife does only about half done... 'it was starving for fuel'... 1 hour ago, ebinmaine said: ... I'm really beginning to wonder if it isn't the carburetor at all but some different starvation issue........ Fuel tank cap not venting properly? 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Racinbob 11,081 #50 Posted July 31 (edited) 3 minutes ago, tunahead72 said: Fuel tank cap not venting properly? One of the first things I checked. I had just put new fuel gauge caps on both rear tankers. I did open it up with no improvement. Edited July 31 by Racinbob 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites