Oil & Fuel Kioti 3054 Engine choking down and sputtering

mohican · Jun 5, 2011

My Kioti 3054's engine has bouts of choking during operation. The engine will be running fine and it would act like the fuel was being cut out. Even pressing the acclerator would not change the speed. Occassionally, it would even choke down and stop. I was always able to restart.
At first I thought it was bad fuel so I added a fuel system cleaner in case there was water in the fuel and also added more fresh fuel. Ran the tractor about 30 minutes with no issues.
Yesterday while 30 minutes into mowing, it started the same symptoms again. I did notice something though - the choking would occur more often if the tractor was on a slight slope (tractor facing west with downslope of north to south), but this was not an all the time thing.
Any ideas on the cause, what do I do to correct it and is it something I can repair on my own.
Thanks in advance for any an all advice and help.

PoorMansCat · Jun 5, 2011

have you replaced the fuel filter recently?

mohican · Jun 5, 2011

I took it out to clean when this initially happened thinking the filter was an issue or the fuel had water. I treated the fuel but it still continued.

As info I replaced the filter today and only doubled my problems. Can't get a good seal and the fuel leaks out. I suspect that the filter that was placed into the tractor when I purchased it may have not been the correct filter. I am going to order a new O ring, filter and spring tomorrow. The old filter was literally jammed into the bowl. I had to use needle nose pliers to remove the base.

Thanks for any help you can offer.

PoorMansCat · Jun 6, 2011

Sounds like you are onto the issue, you might even get the local dealer to print off an exploded view of the filter base assembly to ensure that it has all the correct parts in the correct orientation.... and of course, with the correct filter...
I'm never surprised what people will do to sell something used...

mohican · Jun 7, 2011

Thansk much. I have contacted the dealer requesting a new fuel filter assembly.

mohican · Jun 26, 2011

New update - replaced the fuel filter and assembly. Previous owner had used wrong filter in old bowl. I replaced the whole unit and so far so good. Mowed abou 3 acres with no sputtering.
I do have a "gas pump" light indicator light that stays red but I have yet to determine what its function is and if I have another fuel issue.
Also noticed the tractor seemed a little sluggish going uphill while cutting - dropped about 100 rpms and just sounded like it was a unders some stress.

Thanks much for your help and support. I appreciate it very much.

Coyote machine · Jun 27, 2011

You may have a weak or intermittent fuel pump that acts up due to age/wear when it chooses to. Talk to your dealer about what is in your fuel system as far as components. Sounds like last person used a new (incorrect part) fuel filter to mask or partially solve the underlying problem - fuel pump's possible imminent failure.

mohican · Jun 27, 2011

Thanks for the reply. I started doing a little homework on that last night. So far I see that many recommend using Diesel 9-1-1 to clear out any water in the fuel. That's worth trying. I also started pricing fuel pumps and fouund a site selling them at $49.99 for LK models. If I start having more issues, my plan is to replace that next. What do you think?

PoorMansCat · Jun 29, 2011

mohican said:
New update - replaced the fuel filter and assembly. Previous owner had used wrong filter in old bowl. I replaced the whole unit and so far so good. Mowed abou 3 acres with no sputtering.
I do have a "gas pump" light indicator light that stays red but I have yet to determine what its function is and if I have another fuel issue.
Also noticed the tractor seemed a little sluggish going uphill while cutting - dropped about 100 rpms and just sounded like it was a unders some stress.

Thanks much for your help and support. I appreciate it very much.

Do we have a manual or other way to determine exactly what this lights' function is??
Is this a WIF light? Is it a low fuel level light? Is it a low fuel pressure light?
Do not use HEET fuel fixer upper... or any product that has alcohol and/or acetone....
Try some Power Service, Standyne, etc.. if you just need a lubricity additive, add some 2 stroke engine oil..
You might call the dealer you got the filter from and inquire as to what the mystery light indicates...