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Craftsman LT2000 17 HP Kohler has fuel in the oil !

6 years ago

This morning the mower started as usual with a large puff of smoke and a dump of gas from the muffler. It soon started to sputter and then died. It still turns over but does not fire. I examined the muffler and noticed it was wet and smelled of gasoline. I checked the oil and as usual it was super clean even though I haven't changed it since last year. I realize now that I have fuel leaking into my oil. What should I do to find out where the leak is from , and should I try to fix this myself ??? I'm quite handy, and have plenty of tools. All responses will be much appreciated. Thanks!!

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Comments (6)

bluemower
6 years ago
this has the gravity feed fuel tank. Fuel is seeping by the needle valve located in the carburetor. Sometimes the carburetor can be cleaned and rebuilt with new parts. If corrosion is found inside the carburetor, the best repair is to replace the carburetor. The fuel tanks should also be cleaned internally. Replace the fuel line and fuel filter. Using a fuel shut off valve will help prevent the seeping fuel.

On engines equipped with a fuel pump, sometimes a diaphragm failure will result in fuel entering the crankcase
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Keith Esmail
Original Author
6 years ago
Thanks for the reply.. Ill have a look at it tomorrow and and see what I can find
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Bill, thanks for the one and only reply. Just to let you know, I didn't check the ignition switch as you offered, but I was confident that was the problem so I went ahead and ordered a new one for $12 + shipping. It fired right up and runs like new after all the other work I did on it! I also had to replace the mower clutch cable so I sharpened the blades while the deck was off. Also, anyone who is having trouble with the carb. solenoid: you don't need it. Just cut off the plunger and disconnect the electrical connection. Install a fuel-shut-off valve in the fuel line and just remember to turn it off after each use. The engine will shut down just fine without the solenoid and there won't be any "dieseling". Happy mowing!
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keithesmail37
6 years ago
So I ordered a carb rebuild kit from Amazon. Today I dismantled the carb , gave it a good clean, installed new needle, gaskets, O-rings and re installed onto tractor. The gas does not leak into the crankcase any more YAY !! However, the tractor will not fire up ! It tries but then there's puffs of smoke and crazy backfires, and nothing. I know its getting fuel. I changed the sparkplug.(Champion 71ECO) Still nothing.

Should I try starting fluid through the air intake ?

Grass is growing wild.!! Oh dear !!
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bluemower
6 years ago
did you connect the anti after fire solenoid wires?
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keithesmail37
6 years ago
?? What are those ? I connected the wire to the fuel shut off solenoid which is situated under the carb. Also I took Bluemower's advice and installed a manual fuel shutoff in the fuel line Could it be that the valves need adjusting. I think it's not firing right. That's why it's sputtering and backfiring and carrying on ??
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keithesmail37
6 years ago
So I took the valve cover off. And this kohler engine has hydraulic lifters. I guess hydraulic lifters are not able to be adjusted. So much for that avenue.

So to to recap. : clean rebuilt carburettor

oil and oil filter change

new air filter

Hydraulic lifters

still will not fire. is there a fuse I should check ?

How do I know if my spark plug is working?

Thanks for all replies !!
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