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Kohler 7000 24 HP surging when lightly loaded
- Thread starter N_Jay
- Start date
Firebrick43
Well-known member
Dirty Carb? Air leak at a sealing surface(bad gasket)? Plugged air filter? Spark Plug or ignition coil going bad? Back fires also are a common cause of sheared fly wheel keys, which in turn causes timing to be off even more.
Stuart in MN
Well-known member
Surging at light or no load would point me towards plugged jets in the carburetor.
LopezBart
Well-known member
I usually just clean the jets w/ copper wire. Of course, check your air filter and other easy stuff before tearing into things....Are these carbs worth cleaning, or is it better to replace?
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
As other have said, surging is almost ALWYAS caused by a lean condition. Typically the low speed/pilot/idle jet (not the main jets).Surging at light or no load would point me towards plugged jets in the carburetor.
The dirt got in there from the fuel tank. Time to replace/add a fuel filter !
Yes, it is worth cleaning, unless you are willing to buy a genuine OEM replacement. Aftermarket carbs are typically less than 50/50 !Are these carbs worth cleaning, or is it better to replace?
sounds lean. as mentioned... carb most probable cause . yes, it is worth cleaning thoroughly . not many OEM carbs can't be brought back to normal if properly cleaned
BillK
Well-known member
Yours might be different but ....... I had the same problem with my snow blower about a year ago. I tried cleaning what I thought was the correct jet in the bottom but it turned out to be another jet that I never knew existed. It is called the "pilot" jet. Take a look at this video and see if your carburetor is the same:
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
It is almost ALWAYS the pilot jet !... it turned out to be another jet that I never knew existed. It is called the "pilot" jet.
On some carbs is is difficult to located the pilot jet. On smaller engines you might need a micro-drill set (#60-#80) to clear any blockages. Worse, on some Vee engines (Generac), you have to remove the intake manifold and the carb as an assemble.
Check YouTube. There are several videos and cleaning the carb for that engine.
BillK
Well-known member
I ended up buying a new jet. It was cheap and the old one was so clogged with hard **** that I was too lazy to mess with it. Even my big ultrasonic cleaner wouldnt touch it.It is almost ALWAYS the pilot jet !
On some carbs is is difficult to located the pilot jet. On smaller engines you might need a micro-drill set (#60-#80) to clear any blockages. Worse, on some Vee engines (Generac), you have to remove the intake manifold and the carb as an assemble.
Check YouTube. There are several videos and cleaning the carb for that engine.
Stuart in MN
Well-known member
You need to make sure to not use a wire or drill that's too large, since the jets are made of soft brass they can be wallowed out so the hole is too large. There are specific jet cleaning tools, or a micro drill as mentioned. An individual strand cut off a soft fine wire brush may also work. The jet may be clogged with dirt, or it could just be old gas that's gummed up.
Gas is fairly fresh.
Filer was fresh and few cuts ago (maybe 6 to 9 hours) but the field id really dusty due to our drought. Pre-filer was a mess, so going to clean/change.
Fuel filter looks good. Runs fine at high load.
If it still does it after cleaning the air filter, I might mix up a small amount of gas with a heavy dose of carb/fuelinjector cleaner and run that throught.
Filer was fresh and few cuts ago (maybe 6 to 9 hours) but the field id really dusty due to our drought. Pre-filer was a mess, so going to clean/change.
Fuel filter looks good. Runs fine at high load.
If it still does it after cleaning the air filter, I might mix up a small amount of gas with a heavy dose of carb/fuelinjector cleaner and run that throught.
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
Which is why I saidI ended up buying a new jet. It was cheap and the old one was so clogged with hard **** that I was too lazy to mess with it. Even my big ultrasonic cleaner wouldnt touch it.
On smaller engines you might need a micro-drill set (#60-#80) to clear any blockages.
But, if you can find the proper jet they are cheap !
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
A dirty air filter will make it run RICH (and not surge).If it still does it after cleaning the air filter, I might mix up a small amount of gas with a heavy dose of carb/fuelinjector cleaner and run that throught.
I have found that carb/fuel injector cleaner is a waste of money.