JS48 Push Mower

[Paystar]

Anyone have a JS48 push mower? I bought a new one this summer and I have noticed every time I take the fuel cap off to fill, it is full of dirt. The gasket looks ok and there are no burrs on the threaded plastic neck of the tank. I was going to try a double gasket but I notice it has a vent hole in it.
I ordered a new cap and gasket...I'll see if that does anything.

 

[beenthere]

You say "it" is full of dirt. Meaning the fuel tank?

Sometimes these plastic caps can be turned on so tight that they crack along the top and open up.

 

[Paystar]

Yes, dirt is getting in the tank, bypassing the gasket. Hard to explain but it can't be over tightened, it is just a half turn deal.
It's just the gasket does not seal. Eventually I'm going to have to get the carb cleaned. Luckily it has 2 years of warranty.

I was just wondering if anyone else has this problem or if mine has a defect.

 

[JDTank]

Yes, dirt is getting in the tank, bypassing the gasket. Hard to explain but it can't be over tightened, it is just a half turn deal.
It's just the gasket does not seal. Eventually I'm going to have to get the carb cleaned. Luckily it has 2 years of warranty.

I was just wondering if anyone else has this problem or if mine has a defect.

I will tell you now as a small engine mechanic, ANY and all fuel related issues are not covered under warranty. Warranty is only for a defect in the product when it was being made. My question to you is, how clean is the fuel source, and how clean is your fuel container? If dirt is truly bypassing the gasket, then replace the gasket.

I will give this piece of information for all consumers who read this. Manufacturers are becoming EXTREMELY fussy with warranty claims, so much so that way more claims are denied than approved. Me, as a small engine mechanic, if someone comes in claiming warranty, I have to prove to the maker of the product, that it was a result of their manufacturing process. The truth is, 95% of the time, the product is not at fault but the user. So before you think you have a leg to stand on, you starting making phone calls, driving all over town wasting fuel and time, truly ask yourself if it's worth it. If the mower does not run because of a dirty carburetor, that is in no way John Deere's fault. You can try and blame the gasket all you want, but the dirty fuel caused the engine issues, and the fuel has nothing to do with mother Deere.

People come in our shop all the time claiming warranty because something won't start. 99% of the time it will not start because they used bad fuel, or let their ethanol blended fuel rot in the machine all winter long. How on earth is that the product's fault? That's strictly a user issue and lack of maintenance or care. When you purchase/own something, you are responsible for learning how to use it and maintain it correctly.

I am not trying to be rude about this, but having experience with this every single day, people need to know that warranty in today's world is not on your side. It's just a "comfort" term to get consumers to purchase something. Depending on your local John Deere dealer, you may or may not receive this kind of answer.

 

[Paystar]

Not to sound rude, but it's not gas that is the issue. I take the lid off and it is full of dirt. I clean it, go mow, take it off to refuel and it is full of dirt. Did it from day one brand new.
Not very good for a $500 mower. Luckily I have a good dealer, so it doesn't matter if Deere will warranty it or not. They will make it right. Just trying to figure out how to prevent it. I ordered a new cap and gasket to try. Was going to try and double gasket it, but there is a vent hole in the gasket, so that might not vent properly if I do that.

It does sound like a manufacturing flaw to me.

 

[JDTank]

Not to sound rude, but it's not gas that is the issue. I take the lid off and it is full of dirt. I clean it, go mow, take it off to refuel and it is full of dirt. Did it from day one brand new.
Not very good for a $500 mower. Luckily I have a good dealer, so it doesn't matter if Deere will warranty it or not. They will make it right. Just trying to figure out how to prevent it. I ordered a new cap and gasket to try. Was going to try and double gasket it, but there is a vent hole in the gasket, so that might not vent properly if I do that.

It does sound like a manufacturing flaw to me.

Vent hole in the gasket? There definitely shouldn't be any holes or low spots in a gasket, because then it isn't a gasket anymore. The normal procedure is to have the vent built into the roof of the gas cap. Luckily a gasket is such a cheap matter, that John Deere will likely just throw on a new one and eat it. I know for small stuff like that, that's what our shop does.

Does the cap bottom out on the threads and thread on all the way? Maybe your gas tank neck is not high enough due to a bad mold, and even though it threads on tight, there is a gap between the top of your tank neck, and the gasket of the gas cap. I have seen that problem once before.

 

[beenthere]

I don't understand what "full of dirt" means. Where does the dirt come from? And what does the "dirt" consist of? dust, weed seed, chaff, ??

Frustrates me that I don't understand.

And

Eventually I'm going to have to get the carb cleaned.

The fuel line filter should remove any dirt from the fuel tank, and the air filter should remove any airborne dust from the air.

 

[DrBill]

Well paystar has a point about these gas caps.. On some of these js series, they use a gas cap called "fresh start" .. It's a cheap cap with a bulb in it full of staybil. It's supposed to wick and dribble stabilizer into the fuel for a period of time and then you replace it..

These caps are worth -20 cents.. On my js it had already fallen apart when I bought it.. I didn't care and I use it today as a hollow plastic cap.. Fuel leaks out when I fill it up full.. It's not like it ought to be but I don't care, it's a push mower.

My cap runs blocker.. It's not a real fuel cap at all..

The js series does not have a fuel filter in the line from the tank to the carb. I did make a longer line that dropped below carb level on its way to the carb, and at the lowest point I installed a small fuel filter..

I do that on most of my equipment when needed,, mainly to trap water if it condenses or shows up. Easier to trap at the low point before getting into carb..

But... I'm replying here because in spite that I know I have the worst fuel cap on any js series in the world,, I don't have dirt anywhere.

I'm like beenthere,,, where is this dirt stuff coming from ??

 

[Paystar]

Yes, dirt and whatever gets kicked up mowing. Just fine particles, but more than enough to eventually cause problems.
Yes there is a vent hole in the gasket surface, and it even also has a rubber o-ring that is supposed to seal to the neck, but doesn't. And yes it is that fresh start cap. I had a close look at it tonight. When locked on it is not being pulled down tight to the neck of the tank. So just very poor fit and finish. Not sure how to rectify it, but adding a filter sounds like something I may have to do or I am going to have problems very soon.