122 carb problem

[BigB87]

ok guys ive tried everything in the book to fix the old girl but have the same problem. i can set the carb just like the book says and by ear now but after i run the mower one time getting warmed up good and shut it down it likes to flood out alot. all new gaskets, seat, bowl, float and so on. i have a carter on my 12hp kohler and just need help to figure it out. i even buy regular gas with out ethenol in it

[TommyK]

Originally Posted by BigB87

ok guys ive tried everything in the book to fix the old girl but have the same problem. i can set the carb just like the book says and by ear now but after i run the mower one time getting warmed up good and shut it down it likes to flood out alot. all new gaskets, seat, bowl, float and so on. i have a carter on my 12hp kohler and just need help to figure it out. i even buy regular gas with out ethenol in it

Brandon, when you say it likes to flood out a lot do you mean gas leaks out of the carb? Does it leak out all the time, or only after you run it? I'd start with checking the float. See if it's cracked or damaged. Check the float level, make sure it's not set too high. Not sure if you've checked the tech section, but there's a kohler service manual on page 3 of the tech section that has a troubleshooting section that may help. On page 6.12. Hope that helps.

[BigB87]

it floods like right after u shut it off and try to restart it will blow black smoke out for a few seconds then finally run but i cant idle or be at half throttle or it floods again. the float is new and set about the same as the old one

[Matt G.]

How do you know the old float was set right? It needs to be level or free end hanging down ever so slightly with the needle closed.

[BigB87]

i set the old float just like my cub man told me to set it and it was the way u just said to set it Matt, but i keep having issues with it not idling and reving up. u can push the throttle all the way up and it surges then smooths out, when it surges the whole mower shakes and when u shut it down and try to restart it, it puffs out big clouds of black smoke. maybe i have the jets set wrong?? it has a carter carb

[TommyK]

Originally Posted by BigB87

i set the old float just like my cub man told me to set it and it was the way u just said to set it Matt, but i keep having issues with it not idling and reving up. u can push the throttle all the way up and it surges then smooths out, when it surges the whole mower shakes and when u shut it down and try to restart it, it puffs out big clouds of black smoke. maybe i have the jets set wrong?? it has a carter carb

Black smoke is a sign it's running rich. I'd try resetting the needles. When you replaced the gaskets and bowl and float, did you clean the carb before you rebuilt it? Did you check to see if the holes in the main fuel needle were clear and not blocked? You want to be sure everything is clean and clear. The initial carb settings can be found in the kohler service manual, as well as the procedure to find the right settings for your carb.

[BigB87]

ill take it back off and re-clean it and see how it goes...mowed with it today and it done alright but kept having problems with the belt from the pto to the deck coming off and the generator bolts breaking

[Matt G.]

You've got it far too rich...try 2 1/8 turns on the main jet and 1 3/4 on the idle and go from there.

[BigB87]

ill try it tomorrow afternoon matt. i have to fix the generator bracket again