Help with my 123

[cubby123]

My cubby 123 won't start!!! I need help figuring as to why it won't. She pops and smokes and backfires a few times when I turn her over but won't start and continue running. please help!!!

[Matt G.]

Are you getting good, consistent spark? Is the tractor getting gas? If so, is the gas fresh? Is the carb adjusted properly? Is the timing correct?

[cubby123]

The spark is an orangish color, and I have to keep turning off the petcock because the carb keeps overflowing. hmmmm....

[Rhoderman]

Go for the fuel float needle valve first.
You should be able to get it running for a couple minutes if you shut off the gas and start it up. When it starts to sputter as the gas runs dry, shut it down and pull the float bowl. This way there will be minimal gas in the bowl when you pull it.
Slide the hinge pin out of the float and drop it down with the needle valve. If there is crud at the needle valve, clean it and reinstall. Maybe open the gas tank valve to flush any extra grunge out onto the ground and then reinstall the needle valve and float and bowl.
Your needle valve might be dead. I've seen them that just won't seal no matter what. Sometimes, it's just a piece of hair or grass and you're back in the seat quickly.
An orange spark is not good, but it might be because you have a lot of fuel on the plug. If you have a new plug, swap it in and try it.
Good Luck!

[cubby123]

Thanks for that Rhoderman I'll try it out. I can't imagine how that woulda happened to the needle valve because I just replaced it. And the plug is brand new. I replaced many parts on my cub. But it could be that somethiung is stuck on it, so I'll keep you updated. Thanks for the help .

[MBounds]

Cubby 123...Hmmm, did you do a check on the carburetor float while you were in there replacing the needle valve and seat??... if there's any fluid (fuel) inside the float you can get the same "flooding" results... Remove and shake the float, if it sloshes, replace immediately!!

Myron B

[johncub7172]

just this past summer, i got a carb kit [genuine parts kohler pt.#210223-s] for my k161. comes with needle seat, needle, float pin, bowl gasket,bowl ring gasket,and a bowl nut gasket. it was important in my experience that the float leavel was set correctly. my tractor related to similer symptoms you described. some one sugested i try this kit and it worked for me.

[MBounds]

Cubby123, JohnCub: Note that the kit JohnCub described is the normal Kohler Carb Repair kit. In most instances that is all you need. HOWEVER it does not have a replacement float in it. That is a separate kit. I still think that you should check the float. If it's leaky, then it sinks to the borrom of the bowl and allows fuel from the tank to continue to pour in unabated.

Myron B

[cubby123]

Hmmm I'll check the float first and see what happens. What I've also noticed is that my cub literally runs while its being turned over, but as soon as I stop turning over the engine it stops running. I've never experienced this before.