Timberking with 37HP Kohler carb issue

[homebuilder06]

I have a 2018 Timberking with a CH1000 37HP Kohler. Very low hours. Before I start I'm well aware of the stale gas issue and try my best to eliminate that problem.
This engine came with both mechanical and electric fuel pumps which ran perfect at first. One day out of the blue I try to start the machine and the cylinders are totally flooding with fuel. I removed the plugs to clear the cylinders and they wouldn't clear. Just kept loading with fuel. Just a brain fart but I unhooked the electric fuel pump and the cylinders cleared, put the plugs back in and it started. I've been running it like that (without the electric fuel pump) ever since. The only issue I have now is when I go from full RPM to idle it will die, but start right back up.
I contacted Timberking and got the stale fuel drill. 
Sorry for the long winded post. Any thoughts?

[doc henderson]

so do you mean the engine/cylinder is "flooded"  or literally filled with liquid gasoline.  I would check the carb and especially the float to make sure it is clean and working.  are the plugs wet when you take them out?  I would start with a carb cleaning/rebuild.  did the machine set all winter, and did this on first start up?

[sealark37]

Stale fuel, and ethanol gas, are two different issues.  If the fuel system has ever been subjected to ethanol fuel, the carb needs to be cleaned.  There is no fuel treatment or additive that will make ethanol gas compatible with a carburetor fuel systems.  Search out your local non-ethanol fuel source.  Before you pull the carb for cleaning, you might try Seafoam in the fuel.

[homebuilder06]

I didn't mention it but I strictly run non ethanol fuel in all my small engines. I assume I should still remove and thoroughly clean the carburetor. Also from what I've read I should still use an additive even in none ethanol gas. I'll look into Seafoam. Thanks 

[KenMac]

My new wood splitter has a Kohler 14 hp CH440 engine and the sticker states minimum 87 octane 10% ethanol maximum gas is ok. 

[doc henderson]

one little piece of dirt in the idle circuit, and it will not idle right, and something restricting the needle and seat on the float will not allow it to stop filling the bowl.  without the electric fuel pump it may reduce the flow enough to not overload the system.  did it set for a while before the problem.  you said it started all at one.  if fuel evaporates from a float bowl, the left over gummy stuff can affect it.  try the seafoam, but nothing beats a good cleaning, and replace the degradable parts.   ;)  good luck.  if you are not a carb guy, you can take it to a shop, or replace the carb.  some new carburetors are only 5 bucks more than the rebuild kit.  and that is if you do it yourself.

[homebuilder06]

Thanks for the reply. I'm sure I'll have to take the carburetor off, disassemble it, and clean it good. I was raised with 60's and 70's hot cars and am not afraid to tear into a carburetor, but if I don't have to I won't. I'm getting older and lazier. I know. I have it running now with Seafoam in it. We'll see. 

[barbender]

I have the same engine on my firewood processor. I bought it through an online auction, it only had 35 hours on it but is a 2016 model so I was expecting some gummy carb issues. Well, it was definitely funky- would only idle down to 2500rpm and would run up to 4500rpm on full throttle😬😬 Seemed like a governor issue in my mind, but I figured I better pull the carb and check it over. She was nice and clean, main jets looked good. You can't see down some of the idle passages but they seemed to let carb cleaner spray through. Put carb back on, replace the fuel filter and no change🤷🏽‍♂️ Got the manual and I looked the governor over good, apparently someone that thinks they're a mechanic put a heavier spring on the high idle linkage. I ordered a new one but it is backordered😐 So I stretched the heavy spring out, it doesn't respond quite right but it's at the proper rpms. I hope your's is as simple as a carb clean!!

[homebuilder06]

Thanks for your response. This new ethanol problem is a pain for us all but us old guys really have a problem buying fuel, then having to add something to it to make it work. Maybe just me. Bear with me guys. I'm trying to adjust.

[mike_belben]

Ive had a 2000ish suzuki king quad 300 for maybe 4 years or so and it started giving me a host of hard starts, cough and die, flood the cylinder, fill the crankcase with gas, hard hot starts.. Just everything.  I tore that carb and diaphragm style fuel pump down to zero countless times, verified float controlled fuel, all settings, clear passages as best i could, new petcock on the tank, various pilot settings. you name it..  and all very difficult spots to work on.  I was losing my mind, figured it was intermittent stator ontop of fuel stuff.  



I finally put a brand new cheap aftermarket carb on because im poor and cant spare much on a machine im ready to sell for parts just to have it out of my life.


Runs perfect now.


I only did this after endless poor running on my 80something f250 yard truck with a 351W and edelbrock was cured by a $19 reman kit and a really thorough teardown.  Nothing runs forever without some love.  Yes it takes time but old stuff can do a lot on a small budget if you do have that time.  


If you dont have time you better have a lot of money.