I don't know if a carb rebuild with new needle and spring will fix it but often times if a needle is getting stuck, as you said, a new one will help and it's the cheapest thing to try, which is where I try to start. It sounds like the whole thing is low quality which doesn't surprise me with a Kohler, especially the Chinese made XT line. Obviously if you can get a whole knew carb for $30 shipped, that's the best thing. That said, I hope the new carb doesn't have the same problems. I am not a mechanic, nor do I play one on tv :biggrin: I was just saying what I would try if bringing it in for warranty work is a huge hastle.
Anyway, good luck to everyone, I feel bad you are having such trouble with new engines. It's a shame Kohler has gone cheap like this because they used to make some of the best engines out there.
ktgfk1, where did you get the carb? Should be a warranty issue but the work has to be done over 100 miles away! Can't get warranty parts/work over the phone or on-line. This may be the best solution.
Kohler has had problems with the diaphragm that is suppose to open the choke partway until the engines warms up and the other choke finishs opening it. Kohler is well aware of the needle valve issue with the carb built from serial number 37XXXXXXX something to 39XXXXXXXX something and if your engine falls within the specified by the kohler bulletin the dealers are replacing the carb or needle valve under warranty per Kohler instructions.
I don't know if a carb rebuild with new needle and spring will fix it but often times if a needle is getting stuck, as you said, a new one will help and it's the cheapest thing to try, which is where I try to start. It sounds like the whole thing is low quality which doesn't surprise me with a Kohler, especially the Chinese made XT line. Obviously if you can get a whole knew carb for $30 shipped, that's the best thing. That said, I hope the new carb doesn't have the same problems. I am not a mechanic, nor do I play one on tv :biggrin: I was just saying what I would try if bringing it in for warranty work is a huge hastle.
Anyway, good luck to everyone, I feel bad you are having such trouble with new engines. It's a shame Kohler has gone cheap like this because they used to make some of the best engines out there.
I copied this post from one I posted in the new member area. I figured it would get a little more view-ability here! Thanks in advance for any feedback:
Hi everyone, first post on this forum. Looks like a very helpful site! Anyway, I could not resist posting because I also have A lawnmower with this kohler xt7 engine. It's the last year toro super recycler (bought in april). I have always purchased lower line $200 dollar yard machines and decided to spend some more $$ and get a higher quality one. This mower was awesome all year long - started on the first pull every time. Followed the service schedule to the tee since I paid over $500 for this thing (replaced plug, drained oil, run it dry prior to storage and changed air filter). Went to fire it up this spring and it ran for about 2 minutes and choked out. Would not restart! I thought maybe a put old gas in it since the gas I used was about 3 months old - 87 oct. Replaced with new and still would not start. I talked to my local Toro dealership and they said to unscrew the nut on the carb bowl and make sure fuel is flowing through there. Flushed it with new fuel and the fuel went through successfully, but since i have no experiene with this i dont know if there was a partial blockage. Still did not start so i took it in to them and after about 1 week they said it was burning oil and some gasket had a leak? I am still learning about how these engines work, but for a 1 year old motor this is unacceptable. They are still checking with kohler about a kit to fix this and if it is covered under warranty. I will be furious if they come back and say it was "bad gas". I am wondering if what js is speaking of related. This mower may have about 15 hours of use!