K341 Carb Rebuild

[EB-80/8inPA 1,655]

I have to admit, I have a hard time using this site’s search function.  I usually come up with thousnds of matches to wade through or nothing at all.  So, if any of you fine folks here could share a link to a good tutorial (start to finish) covering cleaning, replacements, adjusting, etc., I would be most grateful.  TIA.

[ebinmaine 67,761]

I can find one for you tomorrow morning. 

[tunahead72 2,424]

This is my go-to reference for rebuilding Kohler carbs:

Microsoft Word - carb rebuild

 

[Handy Don 12,278]

I don’t recall seeing any comprehensive “whole tractor” guides. It’d be book length for sure. There tend to be major component manuals and then postings by users of their experience with a smaller section.

 

Not very helpful, So maybe how about some searching hints?! 

 

Three important controls for searching that help a lot:

 

“Search In...” -- the site's documents are stored the “Files” section. Click on “More options” to see that listed and then click on the radio button. Topics are the usual posted threads.

“Find results that contain...” -- the search can match ALL of the separate words you type into the search bar or ANY of the words. If you type three words and choose “Any” your results will have either one, two, or all three of the words you typed anywhere title or title/thread (see next control). Using several search words and the ANY option is the fastest way to get 000’s of results! Use double quotes to look for an exact match, e.g. “Blade Dozer”.

“Find results in...” -- you can confine the search to only the titles of a topic or file or you can search within the title and contents. For example, this topic’s title is “K141 Carb Rebuild” so searches for “Carb” or “Rebuild” will find this topic but searching for “carburetor” will not. Files tend to have very succinct titles; topic titles  vary; but topic contents is a LOT.!

 

If you are looking for files/documents, it helps to know that our erstwhile document guru ( @gwest_ca) has been using a naming scheme. 

Some examples of key words and acronyms in document titles include: Tractor, Tiller, Trailer, Mower, Blade_Grader, “Blade Dozer”, Blade_Dozer, Transmission, OM (Owner Manual), IPL (Illustrated Parts List), SM (Service Manual), Eaton, Onan, Kohler, Tecumseh, and Wiring

Titles for tractor models have their names/numbers “520-H” or “Charger” or “500” or “854” and years like 1988 or 1975-1977

The naming isn’t 100% consistent (what in life ever is?) so sometimes ya gotta be creative and do multiple searches!

 

One distinct advantage of being a supporter member is that you can search, refine your search terms, and search again with no delay. Regular members are limited to slower turnarounds. 

 

Edited November 17 by Handy Don

[EB-80/8inPA 1,655]

47 minutes ago, tunahead72 said:

This is my go-to reference for rebuilding Kohler carbs:

Microsoft Word - carb rebuild

 

Just started reading that, it looks like just the ticket with all the helpful hints (tuna can!) and pics. Thank you!

[ebinmaine 67,761]

13 hours ago, ebinmaine said:

I can find one for you tomorrow morning. 

 

I couldn't locate the file I used. 

It's been a couple years and two phones since I've shared my own written out info.  

 

I'll say this...

TIME is your friend. 

 

I've been using lacquer thinner as my cleaning solution. 

 

DO:

Use a Kohler carburetor rebuild kit. Not an aftermarket kit. The price difference is only a few dollars and the quality is absolutely noticeable. 

They're available for about $15 with free shipping from a vendor I've been using. 

 

DO NOT: 

1. Remove the main jet. It's HIGHLY likely it would be damaged or destroyed. 

On a Kohler carburetor for a K341 it doesn't need to come out. 

 

2. Simply UNSCREW the fasteners holding either of the two plates in. Those screws are "staked" meaning the bottom end is split by the factory so they won't back out. 

They MUST be ground or filed so the back is even with the shaft before attempting removal. 

 

[EB-80/8inPA 1,655]

20 minutes ago, ebinmaine said:

 

I've been using lacquer thinner as my cleaning solution.

I left it sit overnight in a solution of kitchen vinegar and a teaspoon or so of Simply Green degreaser.  I’ll be taking a look shortly how well that worked.

The link @tunahead72 posted describes the matter of such screws.  If the butterfly valves can clean up in place, I won’t mess with them.  Something about not letting the perfect become the enemy of the “good enough for me.”  I have a tendency  sometimes to take things apart in such a fashion that they no longer go back together any good - especially persnickety things like carburetors on a first ever attempt.

If you do find that file, it might be worth posting to the instructional board.

 

Thanks, @ebinmaine!.

[ebinmaine 67,761]

2 minutes ago, EB-80/8inPA said:

persnickety things like carburetors

Luckily this one's very forgiving. 

 

 

 

3 minutes ago, EB-80/8inPA said:

overnight in a solution of kitchen vinegar and a teaspoon or so of Simply Green degreaser.  I’ll be taking a look shortly how well that worked

 

A. Overnight sometimes needs to be more. 

B. My experience shows me that the open market degreasers  worked OK but I would DEFINITELY spray a MINIMUM of 2 full cans of brake clean through that carb at all possible directions.  

 

 

5 minutes ago, EB-80/8inPA said:

The link @tunahead72 posted describes the matter of such screws.  If the butterfly valves can clean up in place, I won’t mess with them

 

 

What you need to check is the clearance / looseness at the top and bottom of the bore for the throttle shaft to the body.  

 

This is a Walbro but the principle is the same:

 

[Lagersolut 663]

47 minutes ago, ebinmaine said:

 

I couldn't locate the file I used. 

It's been a couple years and two phones since I've shared my own written out info.  

 

I'll say this...

TIME is your friend. 

 

I've been using lacquer thinner as my cleaning solution. 

 

DO:

Use a Kohler carburetor rebuild kit. Not an aftermarket kit. The price difference is only a few dollars and the quality is absolutely noticeable. 

They're available for about $15 with free shipping from a vendor I've been using. 

 

DO NOT: 

1. Remove the main jet. It's HIGHLY likely it would be damaged or destroyed. 

On a Kohler carburetor for a K341 it doesn't need to come out. 

 

2. Simply UNSCREW the fasteners holding either of the two plates in. Those screws are "staked" meaning the bottom end is split by the factory so they won't back out. 

They MUST be ground or filed so the back is even with the shaft before attempting removal. 

 

 

What are you using for the throttle shaft bushing ?

[ebinmaine 67,761]

1 minute ago, Lagersolut said:

 

What are you using for the throttle shaft bushing ?

 

 

Carb copper washers:
McMaster Carr #  5906K561

Or 
Hillman 58087

[EB-80/8inPA 1,655]

dupe

Edited November 17 by EB-80/8inPA

[EB-80/8inPA 1,655]

Success!

I broke down and went up to HF for one of their heated ultrasonic cleaners and gave the thing a bath in that.  After a good hosing down with some brake cleaner and some new bits and pieces from isavetractors, the blasted thing fired right up!

No more gasoline in the crankcase or rebuilding that mechanical pump and it runs like a charm.  Didn’t even have to adjust anything but the float a bit.

Stoked.  Ready to mount the blower to ward off any snow that might otherwise fall should I fail to do that.

 

Thanks again to all for their help!

Edited November 17 by EB-80/8inPA

[oliver2-44 9,786]

On 11/16/2024 at 5:39 PM, tunahead72 said:

This is my go-to reference for rebuilding Kohler carbs:

Microsoft Word - carb rebuild

 

@Alrashid2 If you haven't seen this, it is an excellent Carb  document

[Alrashid2 171]

11 hours ago, oliver2-44 said:

@Alrashid2 If you haven't seen this, it is an excellent Carb  document

Thanks for thinking of me! Will give this a read