Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): kohler engine trouble, craftsman lt1000 riding mower, sears craftsman

Question
Sears Craftsman LT1000 riding mower with a Kohler Pro 17hp OHV Model #CV490S. Engine runs and sometimes floods out. Uphill or downhill produces black smoke. Put in new plug and new gas thinking it had water in it. Didn't work. What should I do to fix this problem. Also, what does the little silenoid on the fuel bowl do(regulate the gas?

Answer
 Hello George:

 The Solenoid is an Electrical Shut Off Valve for the Gas Flow to the Carburetor. You can View a Breakdown/IPL of the Engine and Carburetor at this Addy http://www.smallenginepartswarehouse.com/parts.asp and Select the Shop Online Parts Look Up Box. Then Select the Model Tab. Then Select the OEM (Kohler). Then Enter the Model Numbers 490S. Then Double Click on your Model from the 5 Listed in the Results Area. From the 5 Breakdown/IPL for the CVS490S Model I Located, It Sounds Like the Air Mixture Screws Are Out of Adjustment. I am Including the Instructions for Setting the Air Mixture Screw (after a Clean and Rebuild). Just Read the Instructions Down to where you Start Setting the Air Mixture Screws and then Set then the Way Described. If the Air Mixture Screws are Set and the Problem Continues, then Remove the Carburetor and Remove the Bowl. Turn the Carburetor so the Float is Facing Up and Make Sure the Float is Resting Level with the Bowl Seat. If the Float is Not Level, then Bend the Small Tab that Rests on the Needle. **The High Air Mixture Screw is In the Carburetor Bowl in the Center of the Nut or Some Carburetors have Both the Low and High Side by Side on the Top Side of the Carburetor. The Screw Closest to the Engine Is Usually the High Air Mixture Screw on this Type Carburetor.The Low Air Mixture is the One at Top on the Side and Goes Into the Carburetor. Some have the Idle Air Mixture Screw Going Vertically Into the Top of the Carburetor. The Idle Screw is the One that Moves the Throttle Plate. The Following is the Directions for Setting these Screws. **If the Carburetor was Soaked Overnight in Carburetor Cleaning Solution and the Passages Blown Out with Compressed Air and a New Kit Installed,  then we can Set the Air Mixture Screws. Turn Both Air Mixture Screws In Until Seated. **DO NOT JAM  SNUG ONLY** Turn Both Screws Out 1 1/2 Turns. Set the Throttle to Full Open and Start the Engine. Override the Throttle by Pushing the Governor Arm by Hand and Turn the High Air Mixture Screw(bottom of the bowl) In Until the Engine is Revving Properly. Now Slow Engine to Idle. Set the Low Air Mixture Screw so there is No Hesitation when Throttling from Idle to Full Throttle. Now Set the Idle if Required.** Hope this Helps. I am here if you Require more Assistance. Let me know what Happens, Please. Thanks.

 Good Luck

 Respectfully

 John