Adjusting Main Mixture on Kohler KT17

[Planter Bob]

I have an '83 Argo 8x8 with the Kohler KT17 Series II and stock Carter carb. The engine service manual says the initial setting for the main mixture is to lightly seat the needle and back it out three turns. Start the engine and warm it up for 5-10 minutes, then adjust the needle in until it runs rough, then back it out until it surges, then center the needle between these two settings.

What it seems to suggest is that the main mixture is set at idle. To me, this is whacked, because the main mixture isn't really working at idle. The idle needle is what controls the mixture at idle. Ideally, I'd want to set the main mixture with the engine under load.

Now, in an Argo, this is tough to do. My thinking is to follow Kohler's setting instructions with the thing running at full throttle in neutral, not at idle as the manual seems to suggest.

Whatcha think guys? What are some of the ways you guys set the main mixture on this thing? As it stands now, I'm hesitating on accelleration with no smoke, so I need to enrichen it a tad. This Kohler seems to WANT to run rich.

Planter Bob

[Planter Bob]

Answered my own question...

Hey guy, no one answered my question, so I just did this myself and this is what I came up with. Hope this helps someone...

Here's what I did to adjust the main mixture on the Kohler KT-17/M18:

NOTE: This should be done after any carb work. Also, I don't recommend this unless you KNOW your carb is clean internally AND the float height is dead-nuts-on and the float needle valve and seat aren't sticking. Throw in your fuel filter must not be restricted, too.

1. Remove the air cleaner assembly and start the engine up with the initial main mixture setting of 3 turns off the seat. (This setting on my engine gave me a rough accelleration and just generally a cruddy power feel.)

2. Let it warm up in neutral for at least 15 minutes, then advance the throttle slowly to wide open.

3. Hold it there for about 20 seconds, keeping the throttle wide open, slowly turn the main mixture needle in while listening to the engine closely and watching the governor. You'll see a spot where the governer arm starts to work a bit, than about an eighth to a quarter turn past that, the engine will bog a tad. Remember that spot.

4. Now slowly back out the needle until you hear the engine smooth out again, and the governor arm quits moving. Note that spot, too.

5. Keep backing out the needle and listen REAL close, and you'll near the rpms go up JUST a tad. Remember that spot.

6. Now if you go to the middle of those two spots you just remembered, you'll should find that it's JUST on the counterclockwise side of that setting where the governor arm started to behave. THAT is the sweet spot.

7. You're done, so leave it alone now.

8. Back off the throttle and return to idle. Twist the throttle grip quickly a few times, and you should see no hesitation, and a nice, smooth, responsive throttle. Take it for a spin, and enjoy the power. All is good....

Planter Bob

[Mike]

Bob, thanks for the update. I'm sure that will help someone in the future!

[dollyferret]

hi bob,its new member dollyferret in england,5 years after your post i finally get the answer i am looking for.i recently got a 198? argo 8,been neglected a bit,runs really bad,had too many knowall mechanics look at her(haaa if it aint got an on board computer they aint got a clue).just on the governor set up there is 5 springs all pulling in different directions,couple of biro springs and a mouse trap spring by the look.
the last hot shot mechanic left her with just a tickover,when you open the throttle,it takes about 3 minutes to pick up slightly then you can watch everything just creep back to tick over even with the throttle wide open.most times i have to head back in reverse (even tho i only got a 100yds)just on a bit of a tick over.over here ,theres no help whatever for these old gals,they just want you to buy a new one,no instruction manuals with anything usefull in ,just part numbers and the usual what the levers do.glad i found your old posts,gonna look for the governor spring settings now you put on.before i go ,she can turn over and start 10 times in a row(new battery fitted) then you can turn the key and you get nothing,attach a booster kit ,and she fires again,any ideas my friend.

[rodp]

Hi Dollyferret, wouldn't be from up north would you?

When it doesn't start have you got a feed to the solenoid from the ign switch when you turn the key ? If you have, can you hear / feel the solenoid clicking when you turn the key? If yes, have you got a feed to the starter when you turn the key/ If yes, at what voltage?
If no to any of these then it's something before the item that doesn't work, if you get what I mean.

Also from England, only I'm in the best bit

[dollyferret]

hello rodp,it was a no to those i think,cant hear no clicking,think i gotta get a sparky in,not too smart on the mechanical bits,haaaaaaa i have had more mobile mechanics look at it than looked at the staffordshire hoard,two of them never noticed there was only one plug lead,just said it was a gonna,the last one left it with just a tick over and nowt else.just managed to locate a governor spring at the 19th phonecall(got 3 norsemen sitting in the back waiting for a lift back up the fiords).
i am in the big bit attached to your bit,2 minutes from spaghetti,the argos just down in shakespeares county(for all the good its doing).
all the mechanics seem to get fed up after 5 minutes,(probably aint got a clue because they cant plug a fault finder in it)just charge a £100 and say buy something better,i did have her running quiet good till one of them shoved a load of springs every where,then it just stopped picking up,full throttle you could just watch everything slowly going back to tickover,and she would die a death.
feel like doing a basil faulty on her with a big branch most of the time.

[rodp]

Hi DF, ship it up here buddy, we'll take a look. Works is only in Blackheath, 20 mins from Spaghetti, off at J2 M5 and two minutes up the road. The electrics aren't a problem either mate.

Let me know if you need it looking at and if yes can you deliver or does it need collecting?

It was the ferret bit that made me think you from whippet land, you know, flat cap, ferrets under your arm and whippet on a lead shouting "aye up lad, as't seen owt in't field"

[plott hound]

basil fawlty,lol.i love that guy.

[rodp]

basil fawlty,lol.i love that guy.

Did you see the one DF's referring to, where he gets out and beats the Austin 1100 to death with half a tree (well, some branches actually)

[dollyferret]

hi folks ,dolly ferret here.thank god rodp is picking cruella up on tuesday,its great hes only up the road.i managed to sort out a new governor spring(£15),i could have had a second hand remmy for that),put that on.followed planter bobs instructions on mixture settings,and guess what,i have just enough revs to climb onto rodps trailer.plott hound,i did you proud and basil ,whilst it was ticking over and still no revs,i got a huge branch and flogged it (the sort of floggings you only ever pay for),i flogged her to an inch of death and kicked her a couple of times,called her every s.o.a.b.and even pulled funny faces at her ,but still it just ticked over.let you know folks what happens when rods got her.gotta go now ,find a bigger branch