Engine CRANKS TOO LONG When Cold - INEXPENSIVE FIX - Wheel Horse Kohler Magnum

Once started, this Kohler engine runs fine with the mechanically-driven fuel pump. But starting the engine cold requires a ridiculously long extended crank time. In this video I experiment with an inexpensive electric fuel pump that I hook up to only run when cranking the engine. It's an attempt to get fuel to the carburetor faster at start-up. Once started, we let the mechanical fuel pump take over. Let's see how it works out!
Get your 12V Electric Fuel Pump here (paid link): amzn.to/3OMw4We
Thanks for watching Buck's Small Engine DIY, Putting the "Do" into "Do-It-Yourself"

[@skylineauraearthline8204]

There is nothing "crazy" about innovative experiments.
That term has been used to intimidate & devalue people for centuries . Your curious theories, implementing and testing is valuable ,any outcome, thos is how progress has always been achieved. Great work! Thanks for another Wheel Horse example.

[@Buckwsr]

Thanks for watching!

[@ryanwilson4584]

I added a primer bulb just below the tank. Solved the problem form. Manually squeeze it 2 or 3 times and good to go.

[@philliphall5198]

That is a the best thing to do

[@Forestlim-db9br]

Love the way explaining ho things work. Just got myself a wheel horse 312-8 will have visit this channel often.

[@woodchuck1946]

I have a Briggs 26 hp on a zero turn mower that cranked too long to start. Fuel pump was good. Battery was good. So I checked the air gap on the coils and they were away too wide. Set them to spec and now it starts instantly.
Your issue was different. Nice it worked for you.

[@golfmike304]

Another great video on a frustrating issue. Thanks for making the video for us to see that there is usually a solution to a troublesome start.

[@Buckwsr]

Thanks. I'm thinking of going back and instead of tying the electric pump into the starting circuit, I'll put a push-button switch on the dash (with an in-line fuse), so that I can operate the electric pump for a few seconds before even attempting to crank the engine. Maybe one of these days I'll get around to that. Ha ha!

[@rodgersayre1871]

Thanks for this Buck! A new switch and a snow blower attachment, and you’ll be set for the winter!

[@Buckwsr]

Thank you for keeping me off the streets and out of trouble!

[@armyvet4081]

i did not think it would work-- never know till you try

[@Buckwsr]

Just a little experiment. I thought it was worth a try. Thanks!

[@pjmazar4533]

I am the second owner of my Wheel Horse 312-H with a Kohler Magnum. The original owner said it was always hard starting and I just went to using a quick shot of starting fluid on startup. Years ago I eliminated the mechanical and switched to an electric pump after I found the mechanical pump has allowed fuel into my crankcase! Now I have a different issue. The engine quit while mowing. It will start and run at idle but only for a few seconds. It has good spark and I have tried using another carb and fuel source.

[@gharr1405]

My 414-8 does the something, im going to try a primer bulb

[@artwoggon8907]

great idea! maybe a small gravity tank would keep the fuel line energized also.. My old wheel horse kohler would take a long time to start also.

[@davidcrawford5381]

My 310-8 does the same thing I replaced the fuel pump and it fixed the problem for about a year and then it came back. Dave

[@ronniehardin339]

Love to see video on adjusting highdro stat transmission and getting rid of the excess play specifically on a nineties model 520 H wheel horse PLEASE 🙏! Thank you 😊 and God
bless! And keep up the great work 👍.
BTY AND WHERE TO FIND OEM PARTS!

[@Joe-qm5rz]

I had the same tracker I am the same problem I wanna try what you did But I gotta make sure I got The wires Right now too I got to get Rear end leaking Fixed I gotta See if I can replace a seal cause just as it Set it Leak Thank you for the video 👍

[@Buckwsr]

Thanks, Joe, and good luck with your tractor!

[@Rein_Ciarfella]

Great remedy for a problem, although I’d term it a workaround more than an actual solution.
I would have preferred to see an actual diagnosis.🔧👍
Might it be possible to rebuild the mechanical pump if the cam is worn?

[@barryemslie3470]

You mentioned engine was stone cold yet prior to change over engine hadn't been started in 8 weeks. Does it still start right up after sitting a similar time?

[@martinmagee2194]

I used this method on my WH 520h .Electric & OE pump in line together. Use electric to start / run Onan 20 hp.Will flood engine if left on. Pulse operated pump takes over from there and pumps gas right through shut off electric pump. I can shut gas off at tank,run engine out of gas to park tractor. Next time run electric pump 10 seconds before starting engine,starts right up and runs on OE pump.

[@Buckwsr]

Thanks for the note. Truth be told, I too switched to a push-button switch on the dash so I can prime the system before even turning the start key. Works great.

[@terrymiler2164]

I thought it started pretty fast when you first started it.All those engines i ever dealt with would crank till the battery was about dead before they would fire. I never cared for kohler engines still dont.Give me briggs,onan,even a kawasaki first.

[@philliphall5198]

Need a tad of paint but looks great

[@alanseager]

I did the same thing my toro starts much better but not perfect we'll see what happens

[@rubberman2006]

added this electric pump to my wheelhorse and the engine backfires, pops and chokes out. until i throttle down and choke it a bit. cant figure it out

[@dennisduryea3283]

Did you try replacing the old fuel pump with a new one before putting on an electric?

[@charleschapman2428]

Stop replacement pump not available, I've got the same problem and have to give it a few shots of gas after sitting a few weeks.

[@willf5768]

My 310-8 suffers the same problem when it sets for a while you crank that thing until the cows come home and leave for work I was thinking it was the fuel pump But once it starts its fine and while cranking you can see through the fuel filter it sucking away but no fuel in the filter where does the fuel go that was in the filter after its run? I check and there is fuel in it when I shut it off and I turn off the fuel at the tank where does it go ? I had replaced the fuel lines and the filter checked the nvh gas cap to see if the vent was plugged or something and nothing that dammed thing cranks and cranks does anyone know the fuel pump pressure vacuum? The only way I can get this to start without cranking all day is pull the spark plug and prime it sometimes 2or 3 times and you can't keep doing that forever for obvious reasons so where does the fuel go in the filter that was there when you shut it off and gone in a week or so?

[@Buckwsr]

In retrospect, I think I should have wired up the electric pump to a push-button on the dashboard. Then I could push it a few times to prime it before turning the key to start the engine. Anyway, good luck!

[@abigailbautista6710]

42
312-8 replacement parts

[@philliphall5198]

Let it idle when starting up and let it warm up
At our age what’s the hurry???😊

[@jonlambshead5115]

You Need To Get a Push Button Starter Switch & Put One Wire To The Solenoid Positive & The Other Connector Onto A Earth Somewhere. That Would Piss Me Off , Jumping The Solenoid Like That All The Time

[@Buckwsr]

That's a good idea, though I don't think your wiring configuration would be quite right. What I really need to do is correctly fix that connector at the key switch. Just haven't gotten around to it yet.

[@jonlambshead5115]

@@Buckwsr Yes Your Right , I Was Thinking About It Later & Thought That Won't Work LOL

[@alanarmstrong2323]

Change fuel lines,the new gas that we have shortens the life to three years.

[@philliphall5198]

Fuel hose is junk now days unless you get Gates brand hose
Don’t buy the cheap online crap
Check the psi of electric pumps before putting on, not over 5 psi on floats and needles
Use eather electric or manual pump

[@philliphall5198]

Try cheap electric pump