Carb issues - ZG227 zero turn mower

pattycake

New member

Equipment
kubota zero turn zg227
Oct 9, 2023
1
0
1
burkeville texas
Having carb issues - gas dripping down on top of piston, then into the crankcase. Can start for a few seconds, then sputtering and stopping. Blue smoke.

What I've done:
Checked fuel pump - key on, pumps for about 10-15 seconds then stops - I think this is normal,
Check valve at the bottom of the carb activates when the key is toggled doesn't seem to stop any type of flow but it does work.

Tore carb down, twice, thought I cleaned it, put it back together, same issue.
When I tore the carb down the first time, I did not check the needle valve for the float. Checked it the second tear-down... the spring seemed a little "iffy".

I have a new fuel filter but have not installed it.
Using the drain on the petcock shows clean gas.... no water or debris.
Float seems to work... blowing thru the fuel line with the carb upside down (to activate float) seems to stop the flow.
Gaskets seem to be fine but....

Anyway, after I put everything back together, it acted the same - hard to start and then the sputtering and die'ing so I tore it down again, Sprayed it with carb cleaner big time and now ready to put it all back together but wondering if I should try and find a carb kit before putting it all back together?

Of course, Kubota says "you need a new carb"... only $800 - How many do you want?

I don't mind buying a new carb if that will fix the issue but I hate to spend the $800 only to find the same problem.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Buy carb kit, Buy the new carb, drive it into the pond.

-pat-
 

GreensvilleJay

Well-known member

Equipment
BX23-S,57 A-C D-14,58 A-C D-14, 57 A-C D-14,tiller,cults,Millcreek 25G spreader,
Apr 2, 2019
11,660
5,044
113
Greensville,Ontario,Canada
re: Check valve at the bottom of the carb activates when the key is toggled doesn't seem to stop any type of flow but it does work.

hmm, if this is the 'anti-dieselling' valve it is supposed to STOP gas flow when off. You say it doesn't, so there is your problem. Often they get 'gummed up' and don't fully close,so you either spend 10 minutes cleaning them or replace with a $$$ new one.