Kohler Aegis 700 (674) carb... fuel starvation?

[Rusty-Gunn]

,Hello. My 2005 Avenger is experiencing what is believed to be a fuel starvation issue.
It will not hold an idle, but will hold a fast idle via twist throttle. It dies when I begin to shift.
My brother, who rode the machine for an hour today, says it starves while he is cruising, but doesn't die.
The other day it ran worse when the fuel level was about an inch or less of fuel. I ran it back to town with the engine popping, like as if it had water in the tank. Once at the gas station I put a bottle of Heat in the tank, then added about five gallons of gas. It ran fine the next two trips, but now it acts like it wants to starve.
I figure I'll change out the fuel filter, possibly clean the Carb if I can manage it (I'm new to Carb work, only have done it once with my Rancher). I toyed with the idea of removing the tank to clean it out, but will wait to se if it meds to be done.
Any suggestions? Recommendations? Advice?
Thank you.

[thebuggyman1]

I'm guessing that your fuel system needs a good cleaning along with replacement of the rubber fuel line.

Your Avenger has a pulse fuel pump operated off the rocker arms and attached to the valve cover. Many Argo owners have experienced problems with the pulse type pumps having a problem with being able to "suck" fuel from the tank. An electric pump located close to the tank "pushing" the fuel seems to solve the problem. I doesn't sound like that is what you are experiencing though. I'd try the cleaning first.

[Rusty-Gunn]

Thanks. I will do what I can to clean the whole thing. I seriously doubt anything has been cleaned before I bought it. Just to be fair, the guy whom I bought it from is not mechanically inclined, so I really can't fault him. I can get it done.
I do have a new fuel filter, air filters, and oil filter in my parts collection, so I'll change those as well. But I'll wait on the oil filter until the Drainzit hose gets in though.

[Rusty-Gunn]

I didn't get to the Argo yet, I had to change out the left front bearings on our Rancher first. To buy the bearings we used the Argo to the local NAPA store, using the Argo. It still won't hold an idle, and wants to die while the throttle is low but seems to run well once the rpms are high enough to cruise. Then when we slow down the engine wants to die out each time.
Now that the Rancher is done we'll get to the Argo.

[ARGOJIM]

If your carb has an accelerator pump on it could be sticking linkage, could be lazy fuel solenoid. Have you tried adjusting the idle and made sure there's not a critter crib in the airbox?

[Rusty-Gunn]

If your carb has an accelerator pump on it could be sticking linkage, could be lazy fuel soleno,,,id. Have you tried adjusting the idle and made sure there's not a critter crib in the airbox?

We changed out the fuel filter and air filter... no critters found. Fuel does get to the new fuel filter, but it still will not hold an idle.
I checked the choke, and the linkage to it, and it works fine.

I'll study up on removing the fuel tank, and clean it out next.

[thebuggyman1]

I would clean the carb first. Any crud in the tank would theoretically be caught by the filter....that is it's job.
The rubber fuel lines can deteriorate over time (people blame the ethanol in the fuel), so it's important to change the line between the filter and the carb.
Polyurethane fuel line is a good choice, and it is not expensive. Here is some on Ebay Watercraft PWC Blue Polyurethane Fuel Line 1 4" ID 25' | eBay

[kingtroller]

Rusty,

The earlier Avengers like yours has the #58 carb installed. You can verify the part number by looking at the base of your carb. My 2004 was cutting out and giving fits but after replacing the carb with a #59, those issues went away. Here's the part number... 24-853-59. Also... those rocker cover fuel pumps are cheap. Think about adding one of those to the list if you swap out the carb or at least put one in your spare parts kit. Always replace your fuel line when you swap fuel pumps. Hope this helps.

Mike

[Rusty-Gunn]

Thank you for the responce.

[Rusty-Gunn]

We used Sea Foam fuel additive and went through about eleven gallons of fuel and I'm pleased to report that the engine now idles well. Thanks for all the help. I love this Argo more and more.

[Dozerlarry]

Can't beat Sea Foam! Don't know what's in it but I've always had good luck using it. Marvel Mystery Oil is another product I like to put in my fuel occasionally.

[Rusty-Gunn]

I'm going to add SeaFoam to the fuel again. It works.

[tattooman]

Sea foam is great stuff. I have used it for years.