Kohler Command CV23S on JD L-130 Flooding and Gas comes out of Carb

[JD John]

Hello all!
My 14y.o. son recently blew up our Troy Bilt Rider (with metal and oil on the ground) and so I had to buy a replacement.
I found a (hopefully) good deal on a JD L-130 w/ 23hp Kohler Command. But, I bought it with problems- the Battery was shot, Deck Belt broke and was AWOL, it started but ran EXTREMELY Rich, had Gas in Oil, and Fuel-Fouled Plugs (I replaced- Battery, Deck-belt, Carb, Oil, and Plugs).
I DID buy a cheap Amazon Carb, but doubt it is the current problem(?), as it runs the same as before- it starts and runs rough, the carb floods and when it dies, gas comes out of the carb.
Compression was 150psi+ for each cylinder. Fuel pump Vacuum line has no fuel smell and is obviously pulsing, and the Pump squirts gas in pulses. The solenoid wire energizes with the key on. the Plugs are almost fouled again, just from trouble-shooting. I opened the new Carb and everything appears good, no dirt or grit, nothing loose, the Solenoid moves freely and looks good, Float is level, when upside down, the Needle and Seat look new, and with slight fingertip pressure on the Float, I cannot blow into inlet line. The PCV Line to Intake Plate was cracked, so I electric taped it, for now. I don't have a Cyl. Bleed-down Gauge, but thinking that is probably not a cause(?). I'm probably forgetting something, but that's the jist of it.

Full Disclosure, I am NOT a mower mechanic, but a Machinist and Toolmaker for an automotive production plant, with some automotive mechanic(ing) experience, so there is MUCH that I DON'T know about Mower Engines! I also did a few searches online, and there appears to be a LOT of people experiencing the same issues, but nobody has posted a "cure" for it, that I have seen, yet. I am hoping someone here has dealt with this before, and successfully fixed the problem?

I DO have a couple of questions/thoughts. 1) Does the intake HAVE to be on it, for it to run right, because I've been trying/troubleshooting it without complete reassembly? 2) Is there a way to know if the intake is pressurized and maybe forcing the gas out when it dies? 3) Someone said that a bad Fuel Pump can do this, but the Tank is below the Pump and Carb, so I wouldn't THINK that it would OVER-pump with a bad Pump? 4) Am I even looking in the right direction?

That said, can anyone here assist me with what I have going on?

Thanks in advance for any help!
John

 

[ILENGINE]

Hello all!
I opened the new Carb and everything appears good, no dirt or grit, nothing loose, the Solenoid moves freely and looks good, Float is level, when upside down, the Needle and Seat look new, and with slight fingertip pressure on the Float, I cannot blow into inlet line.
John

From your description the float valve is not sealing allowing overfilling of the carb. The float valve sealing is done by using low pressure air with a gauge to check for leakage. it is down with the carb upside down with the only thing sealing the float valve is the weight of the float. If you put your finger on the float to apply pressure it will seal, which is were the issue is.

The tool that is used looks like this

Amazon.com: Carburetor Pressure Tester Gauge for Small Engine Diagnostic Tool - for Carb Leak Detector for Compatible with Lawn Mower Repair and Chainsaw Carburetor Gauge, Garden Equipment : Automotive

Buy Carburetor Pressure Tester Gauge for Small Engine Diagnostic Tool - for Carb Leak Detector for Compatible with Lawn Mower Repair and Chainsaw Carburetor Gauge, Garden Equipment: Pressure & Vacuum Testers - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

 

[Mark H_NO]

Did you have the carb upside down when you were blowing into the fuel line? If you did, and had to add pressure to stop the flow, that's a problem. The float valve needs to be wet to test however. As Ilengine said, the pressure tester is the best test for this. Where is the carb from? There are many cheap ones out there that aren't very good. Fuel in the oil is a definite sign of a leaky float valve. By the way, put in a fuel cutoff between the pump and carb, and try to shut if off between uses.

 

[JD John]

From your description the float valve is not sealing allowing overfilling of the carb. The float valve sealing is done by using low pressure air with a gauge to check for leakage. it is down with the carb upside down with the only thing sealing the float valve is the weight of the float. If you put your finger on the float to apply pressure it will seal, which is were the issue is.

The tool that is used looks like this View attachment 74035

Amazon.com: Carburetor Pressure Tester Gauge for Small Engine Diagnostic Tool - for Carb Leak Detector for Compatible with Lawn Mower Repair and Chainsaw Carburetor Gauge, Garden Equipment : Automotive

Buy Carburetor Pressure Tester Gauge for Small Engine Diagnostic Tool - for Carb Leak Detector for Compatible with Lawn Mower Repair and Chainsaw Carburetor Gauge, Garden Equipment: Pressure & Vacuum Testers - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

Thanks! I DID have my finger on the float, but it was because I had to hold the carb upright to blow into it, so I really can't say whether it would have sealed of its own weight. I'm learning tho!

 

[JD John]

Did you have the carb upside down when you were blowing into the fuel line? If you did, and had to add pressure to stop the flow, that's a problem. The float valve needs to be wet to test however. As Ilengine said, the pressure tester is the best test for this. Where is the carb from? There are many cheap ones out there that aren't very good. Fuel in the oil is a definite sign of a leaky float valve. By the way, put in a fuel cutoff between the pump and carb, and try to shut if off between uses.

Thank you! I had the Carb upright, so I could reach to hose barb, and it was dry. It is an Amazon cheapie, so no guarantees that it is a good one...

 

[Mark H_NO]

I have had decent luck with Amazon carbs, but I never buy the cheapest. I look for reviews, and sales numbers, and keep my fingers crossed. You can remove the float and valve, and wet the valve and seat, then reassemble and test. It just needs to not be dry. My pressure tester's instructions say to do it inverted. One other thing to check is with carb upright, lift the float till you can feel the valve seat. Look at the orientation of the float. The top edge should be horizontal, parallel to the surface where the bowl seats. Does that make sense?

 

[JD John]

I have had decent luck with Amazon carbs, but I never buy the cheapest. I look for reviews, and sales numbers, and keep my fingers crossed. You can remove the float and valve, and wet the valve and seat, then reassemble and test. It just needs to not be dry. My pressure tester's instructions say to do it inverted. One other thing to check is with carb upright, lift the float till you can feel the valve seat. Look at the orientation of the float. The top edge should be horizontal, parallel to the surface where the bowl seats. Does that make sense?

Yessir it does. And it seems like that was where it was (parallel to the deck). I THINK I sent you a PM- did you get it?

 

[Mark H_NO]

Got it, replied.