Leaking Carb...kind of stumped on this one

[OutdoorEnvy 1,522]

So I cleaned and rebuilt the carb on my k241s with a genuine Kohler kit 25 757 02.  I have done numerous carb rebuilds on small engines over the years and feel like I'm missing something.  Gas floods bad from it.  Which usually means bad needle and seat, bad float, or bad bowl gaskets.  It passes the blow test with the float pressed up into full position.  The float floats in water without sinking or filling with water.  It moves up and down as freely as you could ask.  I used the bowl gasket in the kit.  It is as tight as I'm comfortable turning it.  It is all the way in without just breaking something.  I took the carb apart again just to redo and recheck needle and seat, float, gaskets all looked fine.  What am I missing that would still have a mass flooding?  

 

something that seemed odd to me is the kit didn't come with a needle that had the rubber tip.  It was just brass on brass.  But it passed the blow test fine.  Do the newer kits not have a rubber tipped needle anymore?  

 

Thanks for you help!   

[tunahead72 2,424]

This is kind of an educated guess...  I wonder if you might have used the wrong kit.  My C-105 with a K241S uses kit number 25 757 01.  According to OPE Engines and Repair Clinic, the seat included with the "01" kit has a taper on the bottom, while the "02" seat is flat on the bottom.  I don't know why that would make a difference, but everything else in those two kits seems to be the same, including rubber-tipped needles in both.  And OPE Engines says the "02" kit is for the K582 engine, but doesn't mention the K241.

 

Do you see a part number on the mounting flange of your carb?  Or do you have a spec number for your engine?  Either of those might help.

 

Also, you mentioned your float floats in water, but did you try submerging it in gasoline to see if it leaks?  And did you install the baffle gasket that was included in the kit?

 

[Bill D 1,926]

The kit had the wrong needle in it.  Metal on metal will never seal in this type of application due to engine vibration.   Also, did you install the small gasket under the seat body?  If your old needle looks decent try installing it with the new seat and see what happens.

[squonk 41,150]

Also make sure the surface where the bowl nut is flat so the bowl seals evenly top and bottom.

[rmaynard 15,510]

I've had issues with the anti-splash baffles in some of the kits.

 

The baffle will sometimes cause the float to hang up and not let it come all the way up to stop the flow.

 

As a test, I would remove the anti-splash and see what happens.

[Achto 27,601]

10 hours ago, OutdoorEnvy said:

What am I missing that would still have a mass flooding?

 

One other thing to check. There is a vent hole in the carb for the float bowl. See if that is plugged. Air needs to escape when gas enters the bowl. If it can't escape through the vent then it will escape through the main jet. When this happens gas is forced through the main jet and pours out of the throat of the carb.

 

[OutdoorEnvy 1,522]

Thanks for the suggestions folks!  The carb is C-236315.

 

I feel kind of silly now...so turns out the bowl has a few little holes the bottom.  When I cleaned it out I noticed a little pitting but have seen that lots of times.  Didn't notice any holes but didn't hold it up to the light either...  Will do that from now on just to be sure.

 

So how do you get just a bowl?  I'm wondering if I'll have to order an aftermarket carb and hope the bowl is a direct fit to the original carb.  Any suggestions?

[Achto 27,601]

7 minutes ago, OutdoorEnvy said:

So how do you get just a bowl?

 

https://www.amazon.com/235448-S-Kohler-Carburetor-Bowl-K161/dp/B01NBOBZ50

[Bill D 1,926]

I use Briggs part number 221995.  It's an anodized steel bowl.  Much cheaper than the OEM part.  Other than being steel it's identical in every other way.  It costs about $7.00.

Edited April 15, 2022 by Bill D

[OutdoorEnvy 1,522]

5 hours ago, Bill D said:

I use Briggs part number 221995.  It's an anodized steel bowl.  Much cheaper than the OEM part.  Other than being steel it's identical in every other way.  It costs about $7.00.

 

Thank you Bill for that tip on the Briggs number.  No joke the parts store had a Stens one for the Kohler part number.  It was $24.95.  Had the B&S one you mentioned for $7.77.  Much more palatable!  Thanks again!  This place is full of good advice and tips!    

[Bill D 1,926]

4 hours ago, OutdoorEnvy said:

 

Thank you Bill for that tip on the Briggs number.  No joke the parts store had a Stens one for the Kohler part number.  It was $24.95.  Had the B&S one you mentioned for $7.77.  Much more palatable!  Thanks again!  This place is full of good advice and tips!    

Glad I could help!

[Wheelhorse#1 1,667]

I had something similar happen.I used a gravity feed needle and seat instead of one use for a pump application.