GT275 died

[Krusey1011]

Hi, first time on TBN. I bought a used 1998 John Deere GT275 with a 48" deck from the original owner. Routine maintenance was performed and logged. It needed a few parts replaced, but I ran it for a few weeks until it would overheat going up and down hills. I removed all covers and shrouds. The cooling fins were packed with dirt and grease. Long story short, I cleaned the old girl up from top to bottom, replaced the starter coil that was bad, replaced a worn clutch, changed oil and filter for engine and transmission, and put everything back together. Mower was running good on a 2 minute test run, then died. It started back up, ran for 30 seconds and died. It wouldn't start after that. Oil light is illuminated. Maybe water in the gas tank or carb from pressure washing?

 

[tomplum]

I would think that the oil light would be on if the engine is not running. If it was on with it running and the engine sounds good, unhook the sensor by the oil filter to do a test run.I'm not sure if this has an oil safe system or just a light. You could drain the carb bowl into small pan to see if you had picked up water. Starter coil = solenoid?

 

[Krusey1011]

Selenoid, yes. I'm not sure it has an oil safe system. I'm hoping it's just water in the fuel from pressure washing, and not something damaged from overheating.

 

[Spanner]

No 'Oil-safe' Tom. Just a pressure switch and a bulb. Single cyl. Kawasaki FC540V.

How much water did you apply and to where Krusey?

 

[Krusey1011]

I pressure washed just about everything, except the carberator. I was spraying the fuel tank before I had realized I was hitting the breather on the tank lid.

 

[Spanner]

Well purge all the fuel system asap. You don't ever want any water in the carb at all. Corrosion is swift. (and bad news).

Are you capable of cleaning the carb and the fuel tank and the rubber hose etc?

 

[Krusey1011]

I'm no mechanic, but I tinker with things and make due. If by clean, you mean, disassemble, clean with a carb cleaner, and reassemble, then yes. I don't know what water in the fuel system sounds or behaves like, but I hope this is the issue. It'd be better than a shot engine.

 

[Spanner]

Ok, go ahead and clean the carb. You can remove the bowl in-situ by undoing the 10mm bolt under the centre. lower the bowl with a catch-pan underneath to assess the contents. You will see any water as 'globules' in the petrol. You may have to remove the carb completely to clean the main jet etc. if so, re-install the bowl first so you can manipulate the carb assembly without damaging the float etc.

Take a picture and note the order of the control rods for throttle & choke before moving the carb. You only have to disconnect them at the carb end. Do not adjust the throttle cable or choke at the control plate end.

Note the long hair-spring on the throttle rod as well as the rod itself.

Remove the fuel hose from the pump and drain all the fuel from the tank into an open can. Again, look for the water 'globules'.

You may have to remove the fuel tank to clean it out completely.

 

[Krusey1011]

Sounds like a plan, thanks. I'll post results.

 

[whizdbiz2]

Krusey, what "worn clutch" did you replace? The one for the mower deck? I have a '97 GT275, it's been a great machine. Bought mine used and just pressed it into service to replace a Husqvarna that crapped out on me. I had to do the full front and rear service on it as the previous owner hadn't done it recently, other than change the oil.

 

[Krusey1011]

Yes, the PTO clutch for the mower deck. It was bad. What does a front and rear service consist of?

 

[whizdbiz2]

Yes, the PTO clutch for the mower deck. It was bad. What does a front and rear service consist of?

OK, that's what I thought. At first thought maybe there was a gear version of the GT275! What I did was new spark plug, oil and filter change, air filters (both paper and foam), check wiring and connections and clean the engine cooling fins (had to replace the magneto so good time to do that when the shrouds have to come off anyway). Probably should replace the fuel filter too but it looked pretty new, maybe that was one thing he did service regularly. In the rear, check belts and trans cooling fan, cleaned off debris on the transmission, drain and replace the oil and put a new filter in. I also had to replace the spindle bushings in the front axle, slopped around so bad you could hardly steer it.

 

[Dave M7040]

Go to this Kawasaki web site and there is a troubleshooting guide which will take you step by step until the problem is found.

Kawasaki Motors | Technical Downloads

Dave M7040

 

[Krusey1011]

I haven't set aside time for the mower yet, but I was planning on draining the fuel tomorrow. The Kawasaki troubleshooting guide looks to be very helpful Dave M7040, thank you.

 

[Krusey1011]

Its mowing season again in the PNW. And since mowing is back on my schedule, I figured Id post the solution to my problem for those that find this thread and need a solution as I did. Better late than never. The link Ill provide is the video I came across that made it possible to start and run my mower. In short, the mower had no spark, disengaging the kill wire that goes to the coils allows for spark and operation of the mower, and according to the video, its the electronic control module that needs replaced. Unfortunately for me, its a different model in the video and the dealer says I dont have a black box by that name. But, the mower runs. I just need to figure out what box needs replaced and where its at. Hope this helps someone.

John Deere X300 Troubleshooting - No Spark - YouTube

*side note* The forum wont let me add apostrophes to this post, so feel free to correct grammar, but the lack of apostrophes are not my doing.

 

[tomplum]

There is not a control box on your tractor as you found out. Do you never have spark unless the kill wire is pulled? Sans a wire issue, the suspects are the brake switch, ignition switch or PTO switch. At least I think you have a 4 pole brake switch. I don't know if the oil pressure switch is wired in the kill circuit off hand. But find a chassis wiring diagram and work your way through the switches.

 

[beenthere]

No apostrophes? Didn't know that.. Maybe you've a phone problem, that's what I'm thinking, not TBN forum problem.
Allowed you to add them in your 2017 post, so maybe you know what's happened since then. Let us know if you find out. tks

 

[Krusey1011]

Do you never have spark unless the kill wire is pulled?

Correct, no spark unless the wire is pulled. Disconnect the wire and it fires up no problem, but to shut the mower off once it痴 warm, I have to pull the the wire going to the carburetor. Turning the key off won稚 kill it. Thanks for the suggestions.

 

[Krusey1011]

I知 posting from an updated iPhone XR. Apostrophes are added just fine but come out jumbled once I submit the comment. You tell me if 妬t痴 okay from your view.

 

[Richard001]

I知 posting from an updated iPhone XR. Apostrophes are added just fine but come out jumbled once I submit the comment. You tell me if 妬t痴 okay from your view.

Nope, no apostrophes, just garbage.