L118 running issues - need help

[tractorshopper]

Most of this last year my L118 has run better than ever, at least until a month or month and a half ago. Two times during this season, it started running up and down quickly until it just died during mowing. Both of those time were when I was running for a long time (I usually do a good 2 acre section of lawn each week, but another close to an acre above that every 3rd or 4th mowing).

The first time that happened, I let it sit until several hours later, then started it up and finished. The second time, it happened was a month or so later and it didn't quite work the same way for me. It would start and run for several minutes then quit again. I've been having issues since with it maybe only making it 15-20 minutes at a time then cutting off in shorter intervals until where I am now; it won't run for more than a couple minutes at a time and now I can't get it to crank up for more than a few seconds.

Okay, so I'm thinking fine, I'll service everything and tune-up. It's been a while since last full tune-up. So I changed oil, oil filter, gas filter, air pre-filter and main filter, and spark plugs. Put the charger on the battery since I had run it down trying to start it that morning (battery is less than a year old with high CCA unlike the piece of junk they put in them new).

Tried to start it later and it turns over very well, like it has been, but it won't crank and stay running still. The only thing I can think to try next is to change the fuel pump? I'm not real savvy on stuff from this point on, so I'm looking for suggestions. I had been thinking of buying a new zero turn, but if I can avoid spending that kind of cash, I'd rather get a few more years out of this one first. Any advice will be appreciated.

 

[tractorshopper]

I should add that up until this year, I have never been overly happy with this machine as I'd always have to run with half choke and it was never really smooth. This year I started running only ethanol free gas in this thing and it has run as I would have expected a new machine to run ever since. No choke necessary after starting and smooth as it should be since using real gasoline.

 

[tractorshopper]

Okay, so answering my own post here. And glad to do it. I searched around and found some other forums where others have had identical symptoms as I described above. The solution was so simple, I said it couldn't possibly be true. But indeed it was. And better yet, it was completely free. :cool2:

The problem was the gas cap was plugged on the tiny hole that allows pressure relief to the tank. Debris (and it doesn't take much) had grimed/dusted up on the little pin-hole on the top of the cap over time. I honestly didn't even realize this pin-hole was there. Never paid it any attention. For kicks I said I'll try it. I took the gas cap off and cranked the tractor and it fired right up and ran great. I took the gas cap into the shop and found a small nail and cleaned the crud out of the hole (that I couldn't even see was there until I cleaned it). I went back out to the tractor, put the cap back on and it kept on running like a champ.

So if anyone has any issues with their JD lawn tractors (and maybe all other brands as well), it could be as simple as this little air breather vent in the gas cap. Save yourself some $ and check this breather vent first.

 

[bouldercountry]

I'm having the same problem w my L118. Thanks for the post, I will check the gas cap. I never would have thought to check that. I was going for the fuel pump or have the carbs adjusted.