Steph 5 #1 Posted August 22, 2019 I am looking for a Fuel Pump for a Kohler K181S engine. Not having any luck finding one. My husband was wondering if an Electric or Pulse fuel pump would work. Please let me know if there is any other information needed for this inquiry. Thank you!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 69,146 #2 Posted August 22, 2019 I'm curious to know what's wrong with the one that you have or if you literally do not have one at all. Normally the cast metal pumps are rebuildable and you'll get another 20 or 30 years of service out of that or whatever... 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
clueless 3,027 #3 Posted August 22, 2019 Ebay enter kohler K181 there's a bunch. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevasaurus 22,955 #4 Posted August 22, 2019 There are 2 ball bearings in the fuel pump. One lets fuel into the pump and not out, and the other lets fuel out to the carb and does not let it come back in. Sometimes these balls will get stuck...spraying some carb clean in both ends usually free them up and the pump is OK. @buckrancher sells the gasket...I think. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Steph 5 #5 Posted August 22, 2019 There is a rod in the fuel pump that is bent. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bottjernat1 2,190 #6 Posted August 22, 2019 there cheaper on ebay. but if you have an amazon account. here is is on amazon https://www.amazon.com/POEMQ-Lawnmower-Generator-41-559-01-S-C-230361-S/dp/B07RVBLXVS/ref=sr_1_7?keywords=kohler+k181+fuel+pump&qid=1566489762&s=gateway&sr=8-7 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pfrederi 18,053 #7 Posted August 22, 2019 (edited) 2 hours ago, Steph said: There is a rod in the fuel pump that is bent. It is supposed to be bent. it rides on a lobe on the camshaft creates movement that pushes a diaphragm up and down that creates the suction and pressure needed to move the gas. There are also two little check valves inside to keep things going the right direction. The rebuild kits are easy to install. New pumps get pricey. Rebuild kits http://www.then-now-auto.com/fuel-pumps/ Edited August 22, 2019 by pfrederi 4 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
clueless 3,027 #8 Posted August 22, 2019 We need pictures of the fuel pump and the bent rod, as of right now we are only guessing. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Steph 5 #9 Posted August 22, 2019 I was mistaken on previous post. The rod is missing. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 69,146 #10 Posted August 22, 2019 @pfrederi @953 nut @clueless In another post Richard mentioned that that might be a 1966 engine. I've never taken one off of a pulse fuel pump engine. Is there still supposed to be a rod in there? No cam drive, correct? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rjg854 11,617 #11 Posted August 22, 2019 A pulse fuel pump has no lever. That looks just like the one on my 68 Commando 8. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
roadapples 6,983 #12 Posted August 22, 2019 OK...not to hijack this thread, but with no lever how does a pulse pump work... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 69,146 #13 Posted August 22, 2019 Just now, roadapples said: OK...not to hijack this thread, but with no lever how does a pulse pump work... I don't think that's really a hijack. it works by taking pulses of vacuum and pressure off of the Piston as it goes up and down. So @Steph.... Maybe that one is rebuildable after all with a piece from Brian @buckrancher. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
roadapples 6,983 #14 Posted August 22, 2019 OK thanks..I think... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Steph 5 #15 Posted August 22, 2019 Ok upon further info from my husband there is a piece broken off in the current fuel pump. Is there a rebuild kit for the current pump? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 69,146 #16 Posted August 22, 2019 17 minutes ago, roadapples said: OK thanks..I think... I'm not positive with a Kohler pump but pulse pumps are used on many small engines all the way up into the 80s and 90s. As the piston in the engine goes up and down it creates pulses of flowing air which are transferred into a fuel pump. There is a diaphragm between the air half, and the fuel half. As a vacuum is created it pulls on the diaphragm which in turn pulls fuel into the pump. There are check valves in place to prevent fuel and air from flowing the wrong directions. 2 minutes ago, Steph said: Ok upon further info from my husband there is a piece broken off in the current fuel pump. Is there a rebuild kit for the current pump? Can you post a picture of the piece that is broken off? Brian, listed above, sells a replacement diaphragm but I'm not sure if anyone has any other parts for those pumps. 1 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
moe1965 749 #17 Posted August 23, 2019 I my 64 181 has no arm sticking out of the pump I freaked out when I took it off it is a pulse pump 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rjg854 11,617 #18 Posted August 23, 2019 The pictures posted earlier are of the actual fuel pump you're talking about? I don't see anything structurally wrong with it, if it is from those pics., unless I'm missing something. It should be rebuildable. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
