John Deere GT245 problem

wv granny · May 22, 2013

My JD riding mower has steadily declined the last couple of years to where it barely runs. It will start and run but wants to "choke" out, acting like it isn't getting gas, then in a minute, start running ok again, and repeats this until you don't think it's not going to run at all. I'm not the mechanic nor know anything about the workings of the mower. My mechanic doesn't have a computer. So I'm trying to troubleshoot our problem the best I can. I know many things have been checked and cleaned on the mower. The fuel line has been cleaned and a new carburetor kit purchased and used. We both think the problem is the fuel system but all that is left there, at this point, is to suspect the fuel pump and/or (totally replacing) the carburetor. If anyone has any ideas, I'd like to hear them. I can always run them by my mechanic for his feedback. At this point, we are stumped. Sorry I can't give you a better rundown but thanks for your considerations.

sox3 · May 23, 2013

How long does it run before it starts dying out? What engine is on the unit?

wv granny · May 24, 2013

Sox3, the engine is a Kawasaki. Having bought the tractor used (but with only a few hrs on it), I don't know the year nor did I get any information with it. The engine tries to die out every 2-3 minutes for maybe 30 seconds, and then resumes. There is black smoke that comes out when it tries to die out. So maybe it's getting gas. Something I neglected to mention since my mechanic and I haven't discussed it for some time, is when the engine is first started, it wants to die when the blades are engaged to cut. Infact, I now physically have the tractor here (my mechanic had to temporarily give up) and it dies the moment the blades are engaged. Thank you for any suggestions.

sox3 · May 24, 2013

The fact you have black smoke tells me its rich, over fueling. I would have your mechanic pressure test the float valve. If its not sealing and the fuel pump is pushing past the inlet needle, it will do that.
now you say it dies when the blades are engaged, so does it die completely and have to be restarted or is it just pulling down the engine for a bit.
also, you stated that it has a new carb kit, problem I have seen is that the new fuels (Ethanol) destroys the brass seat for the needle valve. I don't think that the seat is replaceable in a kawasaki carb. hence the pressure test.

wv granny · May 24, 2013

When engaging the blades, the engine complete dies, nearly instantly. I may have flooded the engine this morning, as it was very difficult to restart once the engine died. I tried to engage the blades and keep the engine running 3x, each time having great difficulty getting the engine to start.

Thank you for the suggestion of the pressure test and information about the carb. I will run that by my mechanic. It may be a while before he has a chance to check it.

It looks like I'm going to have to buy another riding mower to keep up with things here, until the JD is fixed. Do you have any recommendations for bottom-of-the-line priced ones that won't be terribly difficult or expensive to have worked on? Considerations are presently being given to the Husqvarna or Cub Cadet. I rather not have something so cheap it will break down the first year or so.

Thank you.

sox3 · May 24, 2013

since the engine dies instantly on blade engagement it sounds like it is a shut down
safety system issue. check your seat switch to make sure its working.
Wouldn't it be cheaper to just get the deere fixed rather spend the money on a new cheaper unit?

wv granny · May 24, 2013

The closest JD dealer is an hr and half away and I, personally, have no way to transport. So I've been trying to work with someone much closer...but it isn't working out so well. I'll give it some serious thought. Thank you for helping.

pedwards777 · May 17, 2014

wv granny said:
The closest JD dealer is an hr and half away and I, personally, have no way to transport. So I've been trying to work with someone much closer...but it isn't working out so well. I'll give it some serious thought. Thank you for helping.

I got the same exact problem. So did you get it resolved and if so what was the cause of the problem?