New issue with the 1864

[BassBlaster]

Today I finished putting the 2165 together and while I was in the garage, I decided I'd go ahead and change the oil and filter on the 1864 since I had the engine apart. I fired it up and was letting it run to warm the oil and out of nowhere it shut off. It fired right back up and was running rough like the choke was stuck. I pulled the air cleaner to see what was going on and it started running perfectly. The air filter was pretty oily because it was blowing some oil prior to the head gasket change so I ran and got a new NAPA Gold air filter and put on it and the same thing. It runs perfect with no air filter but runs bad with it. What might cause this? Choke is operating like it should. I've mowed twice since putting this back together last weekend and it has ran fine. Again this happened while it was running in the garage.

[Mike McKown]

I would try adjusting the main carb jet. It's in the rear, bottom of the carb. You'll have to take the top engine shield off and shove the battery back to get to it.

If the plastic lock is gone, somebody has already been in there and no telling how it will be adjusted.

I just found one on a CH 18 that the main was about six turns open.

[mickb72]

Hi, these ch's need just a touch of choke to run right, or better. Don V has said this before. Watch where your choke flap is at while running. I have one just like this, thinking of opening up the jet the next time i am into it. Mike

[Mike McKown]

Take the nut off the air cleaner stud and try to lift up the metal filter element cover with the engine running. If engine vacuum is trying to suck that cover down on the element, your filter is restricted.

Your engine should run the same, filter or no filter unless it's some way restricted.

Quite honestly, what you're reporting is a little confusing. Something like S... happens.

[Sam Mac]

Originally Posted by Mike McKown

I would try adjusting the main carb jet. It's in the rear, bottom of the carb. You'll have to take the top engine shield off and shove the battery back to get to it.

If the plastic lock is gone, somebody has already been in there and no telling how it will be adjusted.

I just found one on a CH 18 that the main was about six turns open.

Mike

Just a FYI the jet your referring to is the idle air screw. The main jet is not adjustable and it's inside the carb behind the fuel shut off solenoid.

If memory serves me Bass posted a vid showing his air cleaner lid flopping around a while ago. My guess and it's only a guess is he has a plugged air cleaner.

[Mike McKown]

Originally Posted by Sam Mac

Mike

Just a FYI the jet your referring to is the idle air screw. The main jet is not adjustable and it's inside the carb behind the fuel shut off solenoid.

If memory serves me Bass posted a vid showing his air cleaner lid flopping around a while ago. My guess and it's only a guess is he has a plugged air cleaner.

Yes, I know what that jet is for but some of his testimony is a little confusing. He indicated his problem started in the garage. Prior to that it ran fine and then he changed the air filter and still no change. Just covering bases.

That's why I suggested he had a restricted air cleaner in spite of the fact he said he bought a new one.

The main jet in the carb is not going to go suddenly too rich. On the other hand, he MIGHT have a needle/seat in the carb leaking by but removing a brand new filter element is going to change anything there.

[Sam Mac]

Originally Posted by BassBlaster

Today I finished putting the 2165 together and while I was in the garage, I decided I'd go ahead and change the oil and filter on the 1864 since I had the engine apart. I fired it up and was letting it run to warm the oil and out of nowhere it shut off. It fired right back up and was running rough like the choke was stuck. I pulled the air cleaner to see what was going on and it started running perfectly. The air filter was pretty oily because it was blowing some oil prior to the head gasket change so I ran and got a new NAPA Gold air filter and put on it and the same thing. It runs perfect with no air filter but runs bad with it. What might cause this? Choke is operating like it should. I've mowed twice since putting this back together last weekend and it has ran fine. Again this happened while it was running in the garage.

What I'm reading is that it runs OK with no air cleaner but acts like the choke is on with an air cleaner. Just tossing out a couple ideas.
1: The old air cleaner is plugged with oil causing restriction.
2: Just maybe the new air cleaner is defective(Think someone mention a while ago they had a problem with a new air cleaner)
3:Maybe he has some junk in the needle and seat and it's flooding. (I just rebuilt a carb on a Vanguard that had crap in it because the fuel line after the filter started to rot and some of the hose got inside the carb)

[Mike McKown]

I agree with all three of your suppositions.

[BassBlaster]

Thanks for the suggestions guys. As I stated, I mowed twice after putting the engine back together and I had the old air cleaner on it. The old air cleaner was brand new a couple of months ago. It has absolutely no dirt on it, just a bit of oil. I decided to replace it because of the oil although I don't see how the oil is even a problem since the pre cleaners are suppose to be oiled anyhow. It ran perfectly fine and the jumped to this condition all of the sudden. I don't understand how a filter could just go plugged all at once so Im leaning toward this not being a filter issue.

Every inch of the fuel system has been replaced from the tank to the carb but there is a chance that a piece of something got in there while I had it all apart. Ill pull the carb and clean it all up again for the 100th time!!! Lol. Ill report back with my results.

[Sam Mac]

I wish I had an answer for you, sounds like you have the Kohler from H--L.