ZTR Mower Engine Surging and Dying

[ky8t]

My John Deere ZTR mower, which has less than 10 hours on it, has started acting up. After mowing for maybe 10-15 minutes, the engine starts surging like it is gasping for fuel. Then it dies. After I wait 10 minutes or so, it starts back up and after another 10-15 minutes surges and dies again. Any ideas what the problem might be?

 

[J_J]

My John Deere ZTR mower, which has less than 10 hours on it, has started acting up. After mowing for maybe 10-15 minutes, the engine starts surging like it is gasping for fuel. Then it dies. After I wait 10 minutes or so, it starts back up and after another 10-15 minutes surges and dies again. Any ideas what the problem might be?

What kind of engine, make/model, HP, etc.

 

[mark1]

Take the gas cap off and see if it still surges and dies?

 

[ky8t]

What kind of engine, make/model, HP, etc.

Briggs & Stratton V Twin 23 HP.

 

[ky8t]

Take the gas cap off and see if it still surges and dies?

That seems to fix the problem. What would cause that? I assume leaving the gas cap loose is not a permanent fix.

 

[J_J]

There is supposed to be a hole or some kind of relief to let air in so fuel can flow. It may be a hole in the cap. or a slit in the thread area. or a small rubber plug . The hole may have rusted shut.

 

[ky8t]

There is supposed to be a hole or some kind of relief to let air in so fuel can flow. It may be a hole in the cap. or a slit in the thread area. or a small rubber plug . The hole may have rusted shut.

I'll check that out. Hope I don't have a mud dauber wasp nest on it somewhere. My barn is filled with them.

 

[shot_gun]

There is a little rubber flap in the top of the cap that lets in air but doesn't let it escape to the atmosphere. This is likeley your culpret. Clean with a non alcohol base cleaner and you should be good. Worse case replace the fuel cap. You should be able to blow through the little hole in the top center of the gas cap. Good luck!

 

[ky8t]

There is a little rubber flap in the top of the cap that lets in air but doesn't let it escape to the atmosphere. This is likeley your culpret. Clean with a non alcohol base cleaner and you should be good. Worse case replace the fuel cap. You should be able to blow through the little hole in the top center of the gas cap. Good luck!

I am mowing a new lawn, and there is a lot of dust. I bet that dust was sucked into the vent hole. Thanks for the tip.

 

[shot_gun]

No problem hope that gets you mowing again.