Kohler Courage running out of fuel

[Ron]

Tractor model troybilt xp 13wx79kt011 sn 1e191b70043

[Luffydog]

does this model have the plastic fuel pump on the side? it might the hose from the valve cover cracked or leaking not allowing for proper fuel flow. take a can of carb cleaner crank it up and spray around hoses to check for air leaks. last year we had one in shop that was gravity flow and would not go up a hill or any slope with dying out. it was puzzling to find out that it wasnt getting enough fuel when needed. so we added a eletric fuel pump and the prob was solved. check for air leaks and hoses.

[Ron]

No fuel pump, gravity flow.

[KE4AVB]

Troy Bilt13WX79KT011 Horse XP (2011) with EPA fuel system setup.

Simple problems like this can drive you crazy sometimes.

Still sounds like fuel flow problem with the filter running dry. If you haven't already done so pull the tank and verify that nothing stuck in the tank outlet. Clear plastic (from the tank itself) or something else beyond just view through the tank fill port can restrict fuel flow. I had few where the gas cap had fail and where replaced but tiny piece of the old rubber gasket had lodge in the tank outlet.

Other than that try running an alternate tank and line setup temporary to see that eliminates the problem.

[Ron]

Yes, driving me nuts. Got way too much time invested. Tank is definitely pristine clean. When filter runs dry and you remove fuel line gas comes out full stream. I'll see what happens tonight with new fuel line and filter eliminated.

[90+ret-d]

From all you have checked the only thing I could suggest is trying some type of temporary metal baffle between the carb and the muffler to se if any thing changes , seems like the only thing you haven't tried or checked.

[Ron]

Funny you should mention that. Last night while letting it run, I noticed the muffler was getting red at point of exhaust. Checked flywheel key--ok. Then I grabbed a piece of scrap tin and put it between muffler and carb. They are about 2" apart. I don't think it made any difference, but I may fabricate something again and try while mowing.

[kyfarmer]

Make sure you have the correct fuel filter. Some are made for fuel pumps and some for gravity flow. "Pump" filter on a "gravity" system could cause what you are seeing.
Try another filter that you know is made for a gravity system. The red Briggs filter (298090, 75 micron) is pretty cheap and readily available.

I had a push mower with a similar problem a couple years ago, viton inlet seat was swolen and mower would run out of fuel in 10 to 15 minutes. I now run "rec" fuel in my mowers and hand helds to keep the ethanol from causing me more problems.

[wristpin]

Had the same problem with a Courage in a Yardman . Didn't do it with a full fuel tank and on the level. This customer had a lawn with quite a gradient at one end and as soon as the tank level dropped the problem that you have described occurred. One of my guys had seen the issue before and to my surprise cured it with the rather crude fix of tying the filter at an angle with a cable tie holding one end higher than the other - I can't remember which, but I guess the outlet end higher. I have to say that I was sceptical about this cure but it worked! Can only assume it was an air lock causing it.

[Ron]

New fuel line & another fuel filter seems to have cured the problem. I mowed for 50 minutes. Go figure.