14hp Kohler questions

[Ia]

In a JD214, one morning refused to stay running, jammed the starter trying. Replaced starter, fuel pump, sparkplug, checked choke operation (ok), fuel filter (looked plugged) but wouldn't start until I placed my hand over carb air filter inlet. Started. Then ran under load for 6-7 hours of last mowing. Starting as normal for it (easily flooded) still using oil (see blue cloud when opening throttle).
Now again slow start, runs a few seconds with full choke only. This time I will pull off gas tank, rinse, check filter and spark.Question: what would suddenly need full choke even to get it to run a few seconds?
1. intake valve sticking?
2. compression test in order, does comp. release screw up readings?
Any suggestions?
Leo
 

[t.r.k.]

You probably on the right track the problem being fuel related. I would at least take the fuel bowl off the carb, catch what gas is in there and look for trash.

Suddenly needing full choke, either water in the fuel or else some trash in the carb/fuel filter causing a suddenly restricted fuel flow into the engine.

There was the time I recall once with a tractor when it would do that, had a floating piece of trash that would occasionally plug the fuel tank outlet.
 

[wisbaker]

The ACR will mess up a compression test IIRC if you turn the engine backwards you can by-pass the ACR
 

[IA Roy]

I agree about pulling the bowl off the carb. Then I would see if you have a constant flow of fuel out of it. If it flows a little and then stops to a dribble or completely, something upstream must be plugging it. With the gas tank above the carburetor level, I don't think a fuel pump is needed. Gravity seems to work most of the time! If I remember correctly, I had a pump leaking, so I bypassed it and routed a hose from the inlet of the pump to the outlet. Good luck.
 

[joe csuti]

Check in area of exh valve where head/block meet for oil on head/block,a somewhat common problem on old K series eng is a leaking head gasket in this area.Another common problem on K series when they get tired is sticking valves due to carbon buildup on stems.

If eng burning oil it probably needs a rebuild,a more accurate way to check internal condition of eng for wear/leakage is a leakdown test,a compression gauge test isn't that accurate due to function of acr & only indicates peak compression when cranking & can't pinpoint internal leakage.

I have a tired/long overdue for a rebuild K301 on a wh tractor,this past summer it got to the point when cold I would have to almost flood it by pumping gas/starting fluid into carb to get eng to start,after eng hot same would run reasonably well after that.Had some spare time last month & did some quick checking on eng,found head gasket leaking in area of exh valve,replaced head gasket,eng will now start somewhat hard without priming now when cold,however I still have to crank for a period to get started to load cyl with gas to raise compression due to worn cyl/rings.
 

[IaLeo]

Found spark good. Siphoning gas tank for removal, found a couple of small bee-like crittters in the funnel screen. Now suspicious about the tank. Will take it completely off, rinse, dry and also replace the old, stiff fuel line and maybe the new fuel filter I put in this summer. Will keep you posted.
Thanks for your suggestions. Leo