2001 3010 Mule

[Dennis Knepp]

Got spark! 

Took the air box off, full of gas, almost up to the drain hole. Gas in both intakes when I open the butterflys ( with a flashlight ) I can see gas lying in there bubbling. That with the key off, It's  flooded. Is the gas pushing past the needle valve when heat builds up?

It's got one of the split carbs, like two carbs in one body.

[Dennis Knepp]

@Dennis Knepp 

[kenfain]

Sounds like a carburetor rebuild might be a good idea. That might not fix it. But if there's an over abundance of fuel. That's not good. And could be caused by several things. It could also cause the problem, but at this point, you never know.

Fuel is supposed to come out of the jets, and go immediately into the engine, and immediately burned. Fuel that's just loitering around, is looking for trouble. So I'd address this first. 

Don't know about Chinese replacement carbs for the mule. But for my Honda small engines, they're cheap enough to not bother with a rebuild.

Carburetor rebuilds are best done by the pros for best results. But the kits are cheap enough to give it a try. 

That plug looks pretty much normal, not perfect, but about what I'd expect. Although it's probably past time for replacement. If the others look the same then there's no internal engine problems. But that doesn't mean that you have fire, when the problem is present. 

If the carb issue is repaired, and the problem is still there. You'll still need to check for proper spark. 

[Dennis Knepp]

Got the carb off, cleaning the dirt off now. I let it idle for 10 min or so then shut it off and watched with airbox off, 15 min gas started appearing on the bottom of the throats trickling down the front. Probably time for a rebuild.

[Dennis Knepp]

Those plugs came out about a month ago, been laying on the bench. I didn't think they looked to bad. I used to run an LT250 r so I do know a little about plugs. I've worked on a lot of motors but this one got me stumped. Till ya get it apart it's ready to go, nothing wrong. 

[kenfain]

I'd hose it down inside, and out with carb cleaner. Pull the bowl off, and hit the needle and seat. Along with all the holes I could get to, including the jets. Then put it back on, and see if it helped. 

Might cure the problem, might not. But since I'm sure that you haven't got a carb kit yet. That's the way I'd go. In fact, I'm not only cheap... I'm stubborn too. So that's exactly what I always do first. Carb kits are mostly gaskets anyhow. Those are easily made, should you happen to rip one.

[Travis]

I replaced the Carb on my Mule with a Chinese one, $75 was a lot better than $250....  One thing I like about the aftermarket carbs, they don't have that POS Limiter cap on the idle mixture... So far it's been good on mine...

When you pull the carb apart, look at the needle tip, be sure there are no small grooves or it isn't shaped funny (other than the perfect cone shape)  could be its wearing and letting extra gas slip by.. I believe they use a a Viton (rubbery) tip and brass seat..

[Dennis Knepp]

I checked everything in the carb, needle tip looks good, a little residue in the bowl, blew that out with carb cleaner. I think the temp get above 185⁰ F and the fuel pushes out the main jets. Someone has been in it before, bout had the screw heads stripped out on the bowl.

[kenfain]

If you feel that it's as clean as it's going to be. Then put it back together and try it out. Let us know if there's any improvement. 

[Dennis Knepp]

Could a plugged vent tube cause this kind of a problem? I tryed to blow through it and it was plugged, I ran a wire up it hit a blockage pushed through it blew it out sprayed carb cleaner through it. Seems to be working. I feel like an idiot😂😂😂

[kenfain]

Never heard of it, but certainly seems possible. So, is it starting like it should?

[Travis]

Was it the vent from a valve cover to the airbox? Or from the carb to the open air?

Older carbs are also vented to the atmosphere... now days due to the EPA they vent back into the airbox.

[Dennis Knepp]

From top of carb to open air, maybe a little bug had a nest in there.

 Thanks for the help guys, the encouragement kept me picking at it.

[Travis]

This may very well help someone in the future too!

 

[kenfain]

6 hours ago, Travis said:

This may very well help someone in the future too!

 

That's true, and it's exactly why I ask people to please post what ended up being the ultimate solution to their problem. 

[kenfain]

10 hours ago, Dennis Knepp said:

Thanks for the help guys, the encouragement kept me picking at it.

Glad you got it worked out! 

[Dennis Knepp]

I drove it around yesterday intentionally allowing the time it took to over heat. 5-6 times it started, yippee🙂😁👍