flooding prblem with new 700 avengers

[plott hound]

so a friend of mine buys 2 -700 argo avengers with carbs.one is a 2013 and the other is a 2014.the 2013 started getting fuel in the crankcase so the dealer through a new carb on it plus a new diaphram in the fuel pump.i was thinking it had to be a needle and seat problem so the new carb should have fixed it.2 days later its back to fuel in the crankcase plus the 2014 is now doing the same thing.theres got to be a common fault here that he needs to find.dealer thought maybe it was an ethanol fuel problem but he is using ethanol free gas,plus the newer machine has only been in his possession for 2-3 months.do you guys have any ideas before I take a look at this mystery??????

thanks=

[msafi65]

What temps are you running in. We get carb ice and it makes these things flood and fill crankcase with gas. Try pulling warm air into air cleaner housing.

[plott hound]

its been snapping cold here for the past6 weeks so that could be a problem.thanks.would methel hydrate stop this from happening?

[msafi65]

Only thing I run is ISO heet which is pure isopropyl alcohol. if the machines have the flex tube from air cieaner to the air intake remove it. Cover the hood vents and rotate the air cleaner housing to draw from exahust side. Carbs will ice from 40 degrees F on down. Try to get the under hood temp up for the air supply. People that plow here with garden tractors have a nightmare with ice and condensation in the engine

[plott hound]

I will talk to him tomorrow and see what the dealer came up with.i know for a fact that one crank seal blew out and spewed oil everywhere.wonder if this is a common problem?

thanks

[msafi65]

I don't think the seals are a problem but I've seen fuel contamination in as little as 45 minutes of run time. As soon as the fuel gets into oil the vapors pass through breather to intake and its a vicious cycle then. If you can smell any gas on dipstick it's going to go rich and dump more. Hope they get them fixed.

[plott hound]

thanks for your insight and advice msafi65.were gonna let the dealer and ODG mess with the first machine while we modify the 2nd to see if what you suggest fixes the problem.both machines are still under warranty so we gotta tread a little light.

[Avenger Bob]

Great suggestion to rotate the air cleaner! Thanks AKbuftrk.
You would think Argo or Kohler could have put this instruction into their manual for cold weather operation. The air cleaner is clearly made to rotate in its clamp and in winter, if you turn it to the exhaust side, it pulls warm air from under the heat shield.
I also put a piece of cardboard in front of the radiator to cover the top 3/4 to 2/3rds of the core to reduce the amount of cold air blowing through the engine compartment. It has been so cold recently that this has not raised the running temperature of the engine.
I also installed a water separating fuel filter. The situation is better, but I still do get some gasoline in the crankcase.

[plott hound]

you nailed it AKbuftrk,argo is now looking at a solution.i wonder if you can get a royalty for the fix??????????? lol

I remember now years ago doing something similar to our bombardier bombi.