Backfiring and white smoke

DanielNY · Jul 22, 2004

So I bought my JD L130 about 3 weeks ago, and have noticed some strange behavior, which doesn't seem to get better. From day 1, the tractor has been back firing everytime I turn the machine off, it doesn't happen as frequent when I let it idle for a few seconds vs shutting it off from full throttle. Once in a while, I will also have some problems starting the unit (looks like you can't always use the choke), and when I do get it going, the engine spits out a huge white cloud. Am I doing something wrong here, or do I have a defective tractor? I have used it for 5 hours, I didn't expect this.

Second, It's obviously time for an oil change, do I change the filter too (the manual says only every other time, but since I have to change the oil already after 5 hours, I figured this might apply to the filter too), and what brand/type oil do you guys recommend for this L130 tractor.

Last but not least, is there an easy way of removing the mowing deck? A lot of dry grass tends to get stuck there, and I am having a hard time removing it as the belts are blocking me, there has to be a trick here /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Thanks guys!

BGL990 · Jul 22, 2004

I'm assuming this is a gas engine?

I have a fairly new Sears riding mower (20 something HP Kohler V twin) that does the same thing. On a cold start up I usually get a good puff of white/blue smoke. Has always done it since day 1 and I have just attributed it to oil that might collect behind the horizontal pistons seeping past the rings or something when it sits for a while. I'm not worried about it and it seems to be getting better as I rack up more hours on the machine. The "backfiring" is also quite normal if you shut off a very hot engine without idling it a bit first. I don't actually think it is backfiring per se - rather it is raw gasoline being pumped into the hot exhaust as the engine spins down after turning off the ignition and igniting. Mine will sometimes BANG right away, sometimes not till a couple of seconds after the engine has totally stopped moving. Idling for a little bit before shutting down gives everything a chance to cool off and greatly alleviates the problem.

The same thing happens to my neighbor and it is actually pretty funny. She is a very small person and is just barely heavy enough to keep the seat safety switch pressed down. When she shifts her weight on the seat, the switch often opens up, shuts off the ignition, and BANG!! When we hear lawn mowing punctuated by the occasional loud BANG, we know who is mowing their lawn ... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Hypernix · Jul 22, 2004

( Mine will sometimes BANG right away, sometimes not till a couple of seconds after the engine has totally stopped moving. )

Yeah I remember I had the same thing happening with my little Ford LGT145. At one point, before I new that idling the engine for a couple of minutes would prevent this, I would shut the engine and run out of the shed before the engine had completely stopped so that I could save my hearing! /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

That last BANG sure was loud for that little Kholer motor. Make me wonder if Iit can damage a motor if this happens all the time /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

Hypernix

yellowsocks93 · Jul 22, 2004

With any machine I own car, tractor, weed whipper, I let the motor idle for a few minuites before shut down to prevent trapped heat in the motor. I drove an Oliver 1755 ag tractor for about 45 mins today and it said to let idle for 3 before shut down.

Hypernix · Jul 22, 2004

( and it said to let idle for 3 before shut down)

So Yellowsocks, is that a talking Oliver 1755 you had there? /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
I didn't know they had such things in the tractors! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Hypernix

KubotaBling · Jul 23, 2004

O lord yah the kohlers L130 we run at the plant they smoke u out they actualy shoot out alot of metal shaving when u first start the new engines for briggs + kohler it's nothing to worry about it's the fuel collecting in the exhaust manifold way the kohlers are made when we test the saftey features we run at full throttle and the engine cuts out then immediately refires.. it may or maynot say but u need to bring ur engine down to idle preferably 2-3 minutes no longer to allow the engine to cool down and equalize temps before cutting it off alwayz a good idea.. we've had kohler reps come in test and determine it to be a non issue as it's not as prevalent on briggs v-twin or the 17.5 found on 110..
they use bulk rotella 30 or 10w30 i think i forget now.. filter is obviously oem as it's built for air engine which is hotter than std oil in water cooled unit.. for me i'd use mobil 1 just my opinion..10w30

How u trying to take deck off? when we assemble the 130 we usualy put the 2 back pins in on both sides (2 to side) then put the front draft rod and locking pin in.. then it goes down 3 stations and the belt is put on grabbing it from right side and going ccw onto the pulley simpliest way is reverse the order..
hope that helps direct from the plant.. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

yellowsocks93 · Jul 23, 2004

Just going by the decal on the machine is all. Anywho, what a fun machine to drive. Can't wait until I get to drive it again tues. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

KubotaBling · Jul 25, 2004

LOL yah the 25hp G100's are fun too we (or should i say they /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif) sometimes grab the test units pull the govern. and turn the engine around 4,500-5K and drop the hydro pull wheelie use too when we ran them outside.. now they have a crew that tests all there models took all fun away..lol

Birdman · Jul 25, 2004

( Last but not least, is there an easy way of removing the mowing deck? A lot of dry grass tends to get stuck there, and I am having a hard time removing it as the belts are blocking me, there has to be a trick here )
Have you tried blowing it out? At first I used a leaf blower on my mower deck, but it was a trick to get it in all the right places. So I got a blow gun for the air compressor. It has a long, 18" to 20", tube that has a bend on the end and also has a rubber tip. I can work it in and around in very tight places and usually blow out all the crud.