Help! Can't keep small engines running!!

[rockyridgefarm]

Help! Can\'t keep small engines running!!

I have two riders that are for around the house. One is an older Deere GX75 with a Kawasaki 9hp, the other is a 2 yr. old Scott's 16Hp Kohler. Both will run like a top, then suddenly sputter and die, and no amount of trying will start them.

I put a new plug in the Kohler It spewed a bunch of smoke then started running fine. But a day later, it sputtered and died. Now it won't start. The fuel and the oil is clean and new.

It has that nice interlock that kills the engine when you lift off the seat, I think it IS killing my engine... (my kids mow with this one, and it sure is quick to kill it for them... but I want them to keep all their toes...)


I sure like diesels....

 

[slowrev]

Re: Help! Can\'t keep small engines running!!

Fuel filters ?

 

[ljh2]

Re: Help! Can\'t keep small engines running!!

I agree, check the fuel filters and maybe try some carburator cleaner. If there was fuel left in the system over the off-season, the carb could be gummed up a bit.

 

[MossRoad]

Re: Help! Can\'t keep small engines running!!

If you think the seat switch is killing the engine:
1. bypass it.
2. test the tractor.
3. if the tractor works, get a new switch
4. if the tractor still dies, it is not the switch, remove the bypass and look for other problems.

 

[Hoosier_Daddy]

Re: Help! Can\'t keep small engines running!!

I guess since it happens to both it is safe to say that whatever is wrong with one is wrong with the other and that leads to what the others had led to. You had bad fuel, water more likely, and now the filters are plugged. Don't try to clean them, replace them. But also make sure all the fuel and lines are fresh.

Tom

 

[frank_f15]

Re: Help! Can\'t keep small engines running!!

seeems odd it is happening to both of them, common item is fuel! u may have gooten som bad gas and the fuel filters are plugged.

 

[Molerj]

Re: Help! Can\'t keep small engines running!!

I agree with the others about the fuel. Start from scratch, drain all fuel even the bowl & refill. Catch the old/new fuel that you put in this year & inspect it for water or debris. Get back to us with your results.

 

[rockyridgefarm]

Re: Help! Can\'t keep small engines running!!

One thing that I must not have made clear is that it isn't like they are sputtering or running rough. When they run, they run wonderfully, but now that they are stopped, it is like they won't even try to fire up, like no spark. But I see sparks if I take the plug loose...

Right now, that JD 655 with a belly mower I was kickin the tires on sure looks nice!

 

[rockyridgefarm]

Re: Help! Can\'t keep small engines running!!

OK the results are in!


I drained all the fuel, including the bowl on the Deee Kawasaki. New fuel lines, filter, plug, and fuel. It started right up and is going strong. Bad Fuel...

Here is what I posted on the Kohler:
I put a new plug in the Kohler It spewed a bunch of smoke then started running fine. But a day later, it sputtered and died. Now it won't start. The fuel and the oil is clean and new.

A day later it sputtered and died! That is because it is a gasoline engine. They require gasoline. They burn it! When I put gasoline in the BONE DRY tank it works fine!

I still like diesels, they don't actually use the fuel, they just prefer to be topped off from time to time because they appreciate the attention. And there are no silly spark plugs!!

Just hope I never have to buy an injector pump!!!

Time to mow...

 

[Molerj]

Re: Help! Can\'t keep small engines running!!

Glad you got things running again. You needed to put one of these /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif after your post. I think we have all done something like that one time or another. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif