Export thread

CV15 fuel stops flowing - engine dies

#1

JES2

JES2

Hi everybody,

New here and hoping someone can point me in the right direction. Kohler CV15 on Craftsman lawn tractor. The engine quits while running. I have a clear plastic fuel filter on it, and I can see there is no gas flowing. If I take the fuel line loose, let the gas start flowing, reconnect it, it will go again. It seems that the more I run the mower the more frequently it happens. I've replaced the solenoid on the carburetor, and confirmed the new one is working. I've replaced the fuel line, filter (x2), and the vacuum hose that goes from the engine head to the breather. I've removed the float and needle valve and cleaned the carburetor with spray carb cleaner. I've taken the gas tank off and thoroughly cleaned it. Air filter is in good shape. Yesterday the first time it happened I took the gas cap off to see it wasn't venting correctly, and gas started flowing. I cranked it back up, and seemed like it was good to go. Thinking the vent on the cap wasn't letting enough air in, I kept the cap loose and ran it. 5 minutes later same problem. I had to take the fuel line loose, let gas start to flow, reconnect, and it's good to go. Then repeat in 5-10 minutes.

The last thing I replaced was the vacuum line, which I did day before yesterday. I ran it for over 30 minutes with no problem, then yesterday it starts acting up within about 15 minutes. The only thing I can think of that was different from yesterday was I had the engine cover off replacing the vacuum line and didn't put it back on before ran it those 30 or so minutes. When I put it back in the shop for the night, I put the engine cover back on, and it was on yesterday when it started acting up again. Could something that's warming up be causing the problem? It's about got me stumped!

Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.


#2

tom3

tom3

Does this motor have a fuel pump on it? Those pumps can get some crud built up on the little rubber type internal valves and lose capacity.


#3

JES2

JES2

tom3 said:
Does this motor have a fuel pump on it? Those pumps can get some crud built up on the little rubber type internal valves and lose capacity.
Click to expand...
No, it doesn't have one.


#4

Scrubcadet10

Scrubcadet10

Try loosening the gas cap when it starts running rough...
Could also be trash floating around in the gas tank and it gets pulled down into the flow blocking it.


#5

JES2

JES2

Scrubcadet10 said:
Try loosening the gas cap when it starts running rough...
Could also be trash floating around in the gas tank and it gets pulled down into the flow blocking it.
Click to expand...
I did loosen the gas cap, and I've taken the tank off and cleaned it. Also replaced the fuel line and filter, cleaned the carb.


#6

Hammermechanicman

Hammermechanicman

Since this is a gravity fuel system what fuel filter are you bbn using? Paper element? Install a screen type filter and see what happens or just eun line from tank to carb and see what happens.
This is the type filter you need on a gravity system


#7

JES2

JES2

Hammermechanicman said:
Since this is a gravity fuel system what fuel filter are you bbn using? Paper element? Install a screen type filter and see what happens or just eun line from tank to carb and see what happens.
This is the type filter you need on a gravity system
Click to expand...
Thanks, I will try that. I got the clear plastic kind that's a couple of inches long. Kind of like this (not exact one): https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/...er/33002/4443644?q=in+line+fuel+filter&pos=11


#8

Mower King

Mower King

You might try a remote tank, hang it above the carb / mower so it gravity feeds fuel to the carb, and connect it directly to the carb with new fuel line and no filter.....that way you're eliminating all the fuel lines, tank, filter that you are using now.....then you'll know more of where the problem is!


#9

Hammermechanicman

Hammermechanicman

Most likely it is just the wrong fuel filter.


#10

Scrubcadet10

Scrubcadet10

I've never had a problem using those clear filters on gravity fed engines.


#11

Mower King

Mower King

All fuel filters are not created equal. There are the screen filters, which I think flow the best for gravity feed fuel systems, then the Micron family of filters - 10, 15, 30, 51, 7-11, 70-80, 75, 8-10, 80 microns......take your pick!


#12

Hammermechanicman

Hammermechanicman

It all depends on the porosity of the paper. If the paper is fine enough then surface tension can cause fuel to stop flowing. I have had people bring in mowers doing the same thing the OP is having and they put in a paper filter in a gravity system.


#13

JES2

JES2

Thanks guys. I'm gonna try the right fuel filter Hammermechanic suggested, if that's not it I can use it on something else. It's worth a shot, and I came her for advice!


#14

Hammermechanicman

Hammermechanicman

JES2 as a username. Hmmmmm you an IBM mainframe guy?


#15

C

cruzenmike

While the various types of fuel filters offer differing flow rates and protect against different sizes particles (micron), i wouldn't think this to be the issue unless the problem started immediately after you installed it. If this is not the case you have only a few possible causes: clog in lines/pickup, fuel pump and carburetor. Ethanol and contamination can wreak havoc on fuel systems, especially over time. Filter are cheap so go ahead and buy the original filter but if and then that doesn't work, check the fuel pump. It's not exactly safe, you would need safety glasses and a face shield, but you could remove the fuel line that connects the fuel crossover tube to the carb and replace with a spare piece of hose put into a gas can or jug and crank the engine and verify that the pump is actually moving fuel.


#16

tom3

tom3

Ignition coil going bad?


#17

JES2

JES2

Hammermechanicman said:
JES2 as a username. Hmmmmm you an IBM mainframe guy?
Click to expand...
LOL no just my initials, and I'm a Junior so I abbreviate it to 2.


#18

JES2

JES2

Thanks for the input everyone! So, yesterday I changed to the filter Hammermechanic suggested, and that seemed to do the trick! I cut grass for over an hour and didn't have any problems! Hammermechanic thank you sir!


#19

Hammermechanicman

Hammermechanicman

??


#20

tom3

tom3

Good thing. I'm guessing the next step was a bigger hammer........


#21

S

slomo

Scrubcadet10 said:
I've never had a problem using those clear filters on gravity fed engines.
Click to expand...
Me either. Those red plastic Briggs type filters are nothing but a large window screen inside.

slomo


#22

Fish

Fish

Don't let a clear filter trick you into believing that your running problems are from there.
Post your engine's spec numbers, please.


#23

S

slomo

JES2 said:
Hi everybody,

New here and hoping someone can point me in the right direction. Kohler CV15 on Craftsman lawn tractor. The engine quits while running. I have a clear plastic fuel filter on it, and I can see there is no gas flowing. If I take the fuel line loose, let the gas start flowing, reconnect it, it will go again. It seems that the more I run the mower the more frequently it happens. I've replaced the solenoid on the carburetor, and confirmed the new one is working. I've replaced the fuel line, filter (x2), and the vacuum hose that goes from the engine head to the breather. I've removed the float and needle valve and cleaned the carburetor with spray carb cleaner. I've taken the gas tank off and thoroughly cleaned it. Air filter is in good shape. Yesterday the first time it happened I took the gas cap off to see it wasn't venting correctly, and gas started flowing. I cranked it back up, and seemed like it was good to go. Thinking the vent on the cap wasn't letting enough air in, I kept the cap loose and ran it. 5 minutes later same problem. I had to take the fuel line loose, let gas start to flow, reconnect, and it's good to go. Then repeat in 5-10 minutes.

The last thing I replaced was the vacuum line, which I did day before yesterday. I ran it for over 30 minutes with no problem, then yesterday it starts acting up within about 15 minutes. The only thing I can think of that was different from yesterday was I had the engine cover off replacing the vacuum line and didn't put it back on before ran it those 30 or so minutes. When I put it back in the shop for the night, I put the engine cover back on, and it was on yesterday when it started acting up again. Could something that's warming up be causing the problem? It's about got me stumped!

Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Engine cover off is not well advised. These engines are air cooled. They heat up fully in 1-2 minutes, darn near instantly. You can have big internal engine issues doing this. That engine cover directs cooling air to the engine block and head/s.

Also remove the engine cover again and clean off the block cooling fins all around the cylinder/s. This must be done yearly or more often if you have a lot of grass flying around the engine.

slomo


Footer Links 1

Top