LT1040 Fuel Leak
 

I have an 2007 LT1040 it has always worked very well. I replaced gas tank 5 years ago for fuel leak. Then switched to only non ethanol gas.

Today I discovered a small fuel leak under the bowl of the carberator. I cleaned the area and checked to see where it was coming from.

There appears to be a solenoid or something in the bottom of the bowl. And where this attaches to the bowl of the carberator is where it is coming from.

Is this a solenoid? Or fuel pump? It has an electric wire running to it.

Is this a common problem and how is it fixed? Thanks for any advice you guys can give.

What you are describing is the fuel shut off solenoid. They normally do not leak but it could be bad or the gasket between the solenoid and the fuel bowl could be bad. Shouldn't be a big deal to fix.

I did have one leak on a Kohler Command, I had another engine I robbed on off of. The small gasket is the most likely cause. If you have to have one and it has a kohler courage engine don't let them hold you up for it. I think I still have the carb off the blown courage in this post. http://216.157.93.126/forum/showthread.php?t=40705 Post #9 center picture.
Cannon

Thanks guys that is what I believe it is. Solenoid just screws off right?

Yes, unplug the wire and screw it out. The bowl will come off with it.
Cannon

Well you guys are right. My local dealer wanted $53.00 And called Cub Cadet parts and more and they could not even find the gasket or the solenoid. They only had the full carburetor assembly. And they want $168.00 for that.

Do you guys have another solution. I tried a new gasket, and I even tried putting a plug in there. But they all leaked.

Is there a another informed parts source that you guys use? Because the one I talked to was pretty clueless.

Thanks,

Odd that a plug leaked if the solenoid was the problem. I'll get the model number off my ltx later today and figure out what carb I have. Are you sure there is no gas on the bowl above the solenoid? I usually do my own research on part numbers before I go to buy parts, not hard to do with the resources online.
Cannon

According to Partstree my LTX1040 (13RX90AS056) came with a KH-20_853-35-S carb. Its a Walbro LMK. Plug your model number into Partstree and verify that your engine call for the same carb. I know nothing about this carb, the engine was blown when I got the mower. But, if you want it I will ship it without the linkage rods and fuel line to you for $20. Another option on a new carb http://tewarehouse.com/KH-20-853-35-S. Pm me if you want it. I'm not sure another solenoid will fix it if a plug didn't.
Cannon

Thanks Cannon I will check it out. But I made extra sure the carb was not leaking from anywhere else. I cleaned it and checked it a few times during the day. Only dripping from the solenoid.

My model Kohler is the SV540-0020.

I will check out your parts people. Just may buy that carb off of you.

Also on a plug leaking also. I think I just could not find the right size to fit the hole.

Well I had to directly to Cub. Other parts place was clueless. Then the Cub parts guy looked up a starter soleniod even though I told him a Carb shutoff solenoid.

Finally he found it and it was $117!!!!!!!!!!

I freaked out. He said sorry. And i found it on Amazon for $35. The internet is an amazing place. Years ago I would have to deal with them and that would be it. Not anymore.

I will let you know how it goes.

Worked like a charm. Went in very easy and no more leaks.

So moral of the story get part number from Cub and do a search on web for model number verify with a picture and saved myself about $400 considering parts, labor, and tansporting my cub.

Thanks for you help guys.

Glad things worked out for you on the part #. However, I used to work for Sears Parts and they became very wise when peeps would call in for a part #, get the price, then go elsewhere to purchase. Sears STOPPED giving out part numbers and was told to tell customers we didn't give part #'s out. That was the end of that!

Again, glad it worked out well for you.

I remember when my wife got out first computer, I told her it was not worth a damn for anything. Now every project I do (Mowers, home Improvement, cars) I research it on the internet. Glad you got it going, I mowed some with my LTX1040 yesterday.
Cannon

Fuel shut off solenoid
 

Information for inquiring minds that want to know.....
The solenoid of topic is NOT actually a "fuel shutoff" in the sense that it shuts off fuel flow TO the carburetor.

It's main purpose is to be an "anti-backfire device". Whereas many people tend to kill their tractor's ignition without letting the motor "idle down" before turning off the key, the high rate of residual RPM without spark continues to draw raw gas into the motor and is pushed thru where it collects in the hot muffler. The result many times is a shotgun blast backfire which scares the bejesus out of the whole neighborhood.

The "anti-backfire solenoid" is supposed to work like this: as soon as the key is turned off, power is removed from the solenoid, releasing the plunger which then blocks fuel already in the bowl from being drawn up into the venturi and thru the engine, supposedly resulting in no backfire.

I have seen many of these valves that don't do their job very well and still allow backfires. I have seen may that are bad and wont energize and prevent the engine from starting. But I have never see one that actually leaked itself, usually the fiber sealing washer was the culprit.

One other thing, you need a 1/2" wrench to remove and install the solenoid. The gap where the wrench must fit between the bottom of the fuel bowl and the solenoid housing is very narrow, too narrow for a standard 1/2" to fit in there. You will most likely have to grind a wrench down to fit.

They are also an anti dieseling or run-on preventer.
Back in the 60's they started using them as a shut off on many engines
that continued to run on a cyl or more, because of hot combustion chambers, even after the ignition power was shut off.
By shutting off the fuel flow to the carb main jet, it stopped the engine cleanly.