1541 carb

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154111
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Location: vinton texas

1541 carb

Post by 154111 »

I have a 1541 that needs primed if it sits for longer than 2 weeks. Comments?

dale campbell
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Re: 1541 carb

Post by dale campbell »

small leak that lets the fuel bowl leak dry ?

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Tom Scott
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Re: 1541 carb

Post by Tom Scott »

I had an 1861 that is essentially the same machine, and it would need lots of cranking after sitting awhile due to the vacuum fuel pump taking some time to get the fuel there. I am not sure how strong those fuel pumps would be new or if mine was getting weak.

So the vacuum driven fuel pump on the firewall could be getting weak or their is a weak vacuum signal from the crankcase. You can use a vacuum gauge to check the signal from the crankcase, but I am not sure what it should be.

The alternatives are the old school mechanical pump installed on the engine, but that is not a good route in my opinion. They have a terrible failure mode, they fill the crankcase with fuel. The better alternative, in my opinion, is a small electric fuel pump.

A common mistake with electric fuel pumps is mounting them too high; due to the type of pump design, they must be gravity fed. Sometimes people will get away with placing them slightly higher than the fuel tank, but you are really looking for more trouble if not mounted properly. The 2182's use electric fuel pumps and they are located in the tunnel right in front of the center of the fuel tank and work well.

Look for one of those small self-regulated pumps that are down around 3 psi, no greater than 5 psi or the carb will flood. Pick up 12V from the hot side of the hour gauge, it is a convenient circuit that is always hot with the ignition on.

And welcome to the forum! Let us know how you do!
:beer:
1872, 46", 50C decks, Haban dozer blade, 450 snow blower
2182-1, Kwik-Way Loader, 3-pt & rear pto, 442 tiller
2182-2, 54" deck, 551 snow blower
Past tractors:  1541, 2135
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JMotuzick
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Re: 1541 carb

Post by JMotuzick »

Tom the 1541 was earlier then the 1861 and had the old type pump.

I have a 1882 with the same M18 and mechanical fuel pump. Mine does not leak back but if it sits for more then 48 hours it will need extra cranking to get it to run. I’m guessing it will need a pump too. There is a thread here detailing the change to the vacuum type pump tom thinks you have....

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Tom Scott
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Re: 1541 carb

Post by Tom Scott »

JMotuzick wrote:Tom the 1541 was earlier then the 1861 and some of them had the old type pump.
Joe, I fixed it for you! :lol:

Per partstree, for the 1541 model run, SN 811,500 and below had the old style mechanical pump. Above 811,500 had the vacuum pump. So, it could have either. And as Joes say's either could be bad. Might be easier to do the vacuum pump than the electric. They all work, and they all have a failure mode. No wrong answer here, just choose what you like.
1872, 46", 50C decks, Haban dozer blade, 450 snow blower
2182-1, Kwik-Way Loader, 3-pt & rear pto, 442 tiller
2182-2, 54" deck, 551 snow blower
Past tractors:  1541, 2135
<><

JMotuzick
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Re: 1541 carb

Post by JMotuzick »

ahhh i always thought the 1541 was changed to the 1641 before that change was made... thanks for proving me wrong!

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Tom Scott
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Re: 1541 carb

Post by Tom Scott »

Hey, it's all good! I was so quick on partstree this morning that all I noticed was the vacuum pump, because that's what I was looking for.

Actually, the 1541 really is an 1861 with a restricted engine, but both really the same Mag 18 and both with hydro lift. Just a marketing scheme by making the 1541 an xx41 machine they could justify more money from the 1861, as the xx61 model number indicated a higher tier, for no real reason other than no hp restriction. The 1641 really was a step down with the Briggs engine and did deserve the "lower tier" xx41 model number. Just my opinion...
1872, 46", 50C decks, Haban dozer blade, 450 snow blower
2182-1, Kwik-Way Loader, 3-pt & rear pto, 442 tiller
2182-2, 54" deck, 551 snow blower
Past tractors:  1541, 2135
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154111
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Joined: Wed Oct 11, 2017 9:34 pm
First and Last Name: David Duran
Location: vinton texas

Re: 1541 carb

Post by 154111 »

Thanks for all the help/ comments

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SWilliams
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Re: 1541 carb

Post by SWilliams »

Tom you are correct the only change from the "15" HP to the 18 HP is the carb jets. Kohler didn't make a 15 hp but MTD wanted one so they could sell it as a lower priced base model. Kohler didn't want to lose sales so they changed the jets and said, look we now have a 15 hp engine for you. When MTD came out with the newer Cyclops they went with the Briggs 16 hp because a few dealers had discovered the truth and had been quietly buying the 1541s at the lower dealer prices and changing the carbs and decals and selling them as 18 hp tractors with the higher retail prices... Not that I ever heard that from 2 dealers though....
Owner of an 1863, 2263 (1863 W 22hp engine!) 2084 and a 2 - 2284s.


"In God we trust, All others pay CASH..."

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