Muledaze

Hi all, Driving uphill - at the steepest section I lose power. The engine hesitates, stutters, I have to stop. The engine never dies, After waiting less than 30 seconds I am able to continue again. Replaced carb, fuel pump, fuel filter. Problem seemed to be fixed but returned 4 hills later. 2011 KAF400A

Here's what happened: so much fuel had gotten into the oil that the oil reservoir was at least a quart too full so that stuff was leaking out everywhere - into the air intake, out the fuel pump, etc. I dumped all that and filled with new oil, starts and runs ok now but have smoke out the tail pipe. I'm thinking there was some ring damage and oil is burning in there. I did let it run for awhile to see if it would burn off but no, still got smoke.

So finally the Mule stops idling; you have to rev it up to keep it running . I look under the hood and there's light brown/grey fuel-oil leaking from the fuel pump breather spot, Then I look at the air inlet on the carb and there's the same stuff sloshing around the fitting where the air enters. I think that's pretty weird. It's hard enough picturing how the fuel enters the oil (through "breather" hoses?) but now we've got oil in the fuel supply. I replaced the pump a couple weeks ago. I have a new carb on order. Does this sound like the float bowl thing? I just cannot understand how the oil gets in the fuel pump and carb.

Wow, thanks for all the great references. I will let you know what I find in a couple weeks. Cheers

Travis, any advice on how to check for these conditions? I'm not much of a mechanic but a fast learner.

thanks for the help, haven't checked it out yet

Dipstick shows pale color, dont think its water, smells like fuel, oil changed one week ago, level is very high. First I thought it was water condensed into the oil...but someone pointed out the smell, and it doesn't look white-milky. And a half qt or so in one week? So is it possible to get fuel leaking into the oil?