JD 316 low idle fluctuates

[cpayne]

So I'm new to the forum/site. Hi all! I just bought a new house with a big lawn and found a JD 316 on craigslist, circa '86 with Onan. Never owned a tractor or rider mower before so I'm learning. Came with hard top, snow thrower, 50" deck.

Starts good, I changed the oil, air filter and sparks. But as soon as I put the choke back in at low RPM's the engine flutters, not too fast but fluctuates every second to second and a half. You all know what I mean, rrrrrrrRRRRRRRrrrrrrrrRRRRRRrrrrr...etc. Once warmed up it doesn't feel like it'll die but it feels like it'll almost die. Once it has a load on it or I bump the throttle up to the rabbit it goes away. Not sure if this engine has an idle regulator that just needs adjusting. Would like to keep this tractor roaring for another 25 years, it's a tank for the size. Just hoping to get a nice smooth idle when I need to turn it down to talk to the neighbor

Any ideas?

 

[beenthere]

:welcome: to TBN
Carb adjustment maybe help.

Could be tired engine too. What do the cylinders check out on compression readings?

 

[cpayne]

I don't have a tool to check compression, but all the research I've done shows that I need to adjust the carburetor. Just getting used to the new machine, and have 50 projects to complete on the new house before winter. That said, later this fall I'll have to pull the carb apart because I want to get it running right before winter when I need to start snow throwing.