new 185 owner having carb problems

[bdouglas83]

Last summer i traded for a cub lo boy 185. Tractor ran great, cut good, and was in great shape when i got it. I was able to use it one time last year, and then it died on me one day and hasnt ran since. I am a full time student and also work full time so i was unable to get to it until now. I took the carburetor off and had it rebuilt. I took the fuel bulb and gas tank off and clean those as well. Yesterday I picked up my carb from the shop and went home and put it on. I put some gas in it and opened the fuel line and tried to start her. She started up for about 5 seconds and she died. I tried her again, but didnt get anything. I waited a few minutes ans tried starting her again and she cranked over for about 5 seconds again and promptly died again. I did this several more times with the same result. I took the fuel line off and i have good flow going into the carb. I took off the air intake and placed my hand there and cranked the motor and i had good suction with just a lil bit of gas getting on my hand. I then sprayed starter fluid into the air intake and cranked her and she fired up and i was able to keep her running with the aid of starter fluid. I know i have a fuel system problem just not sure shat exactly though. Can anybody tell me how high the float should be set and any other settings for this zenith carburetor. I purchased a manual online about 20 minutes ago, and even with rush delivery it will not be here until sat at the earliest. i am on spring break from class and cant afford to wait. Time is money if you know what i mean. I have about ten acres i need to get cut this week and she is already to go with new blades and belts i just need her to run.

[Bob McCarty]

I'm not sure if this is correct for your carb or not, but may be a place to start:

Bob

[Gary Dotson]

You say you have good fuel flow to the carb. now remove the plug from the bottom of the carb. and make sure you have good flow through the carb. I'm betting you don't and there are couple things to check. First, remove the inlet fitting from the carb. and check the filter screen on the end of it. The person who rebuilt the carb. may not have known it is there and may not have removed the fitting. If he used a kit, with the viton tipped needle, it may be sticking in the seat. Of course, check the float level, as you mentioned.