Posted: 8/6/2011 8:32:27 PM EDT
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My Scott / John Deere 17hp Kohler engine will only run if I push the choke full on. If I pull the throttle back to run it will slowly stall out.
What are my first, second & third choices to get the engine running so I can finish cutting my 2week old grass? Thanks in advance, 7mm |
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I had to rebuild the carburetors in several of my equipment a few years ago. I now have been using premium 93 in all my stuff to keep the ethanol out of them. That crap is wrecking the fuel systems.
Another thing to keep in mind when you fill a gas can with 93, don't use a single nozzle pump, you will end up a couple gallons of what ever was pumped last before the premium reaches the nozzle. I always get my gas cans filled up where they have the grades separated with different pump systems. |
| sounds like the carburetor has a stuck jet. you can fix it yourself pretty easy. I had the same thing happen to my mower this year and i ran seafoam fuel cleaner through it for about 10 or 15 minutes and then let it set started it up again a few hours later and the seafoam cleaned the jet and it ran fine. You can get seafoam at advanced auto parts or a autozone or similar parts store. it costs about $10 for a 16 to 24 oz can. |
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I'll have some time tonight to check the fuel lines for water in the fuel (much like sump draining an airplanes wing tanks), small holes or cracks, good flow and general fuel system condition.
As for the carburetor; I'll pull the air filter & housing, then spray down the outside of the carb to clean off any gunk/dirt on the outside, then pull the float bowl to see what is hiding in there, from there I'll see if she'll run w/ fresh fuel. Now to try to find a gas station with individual nozzles for each grade of fuel. mm |
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Quoted:
I'll have some time tonight to check the fuel lines for water in the fuel (much like sump draining an airplanes wing tanks), small holes or cracks, good flow and general fuel system condition. As for the carburetor; I'll pull the air filter & housing, then spray down the outside of the carb to clean off any gunk/dirt on the outside, then pull the float bowl to see what is hiding in there, from there I'll see if she'll run w/ fresh fuel. Now to try to find a gas station with individual nozzles for each grade of fuel. mm I'm betting on a clogged jet. I have, on occasion, been successful at cleaning out a clogged jet by turning the adjusment screws all the way in, (counting the number of turns so that you can reset it at the exact same adjustment when done) then unscrewing them all the way out, (watch out for small springs and stuff) spraying carb cleaner through the hole where the screw was to help clean it out, then running the screw all the way back in and counting the number of turns back out so that it's set in the same position as when you started. Make sure to clean out the bowl afterwards. Best of luck! |
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A little AAR;
Of the 3 mowers we have (2 push & 1 rider-my son uses what ever is handy for his mowing job) the ridder was having the choke issue  , the JD pusher just up & died & my freebie Weedeater brand is still kicking .
On the rider I pulled the carb-2 screws, 2 wires & linkage & sprayed down w/ carb & choke cleaner. Pulled the float bowl & wiped out the varnish & sediment-not a good sign. . Then blew out the carb w/ my air compressor and re-assembled. Then ran about a half pint of Seafoam through the vacuum line to the carb. On a side note my shop is in the basement under the master bedroom. I did the Seafoam trick outside however I left the basement 'boatdoor' open. Oops !! Lesson learned here kiddies, do the Seafoam FAR away from the house w/ ALL the doors closed. The rider started right up but the yard was too wet to try out. I should have some time Thursday to do some laps to see if my efforts made a difference.
I did pretty much the same to the JD pusher and pulled the spark plug too. So is hard crusty black crude on the spark plug a bad thing?  . I did have a new plug gapped & ready to go, so in she went. The JD started about half way through the first pull.
All three mowers had there blades sharpened, under decks cleaned rinsed off & ready to make some gas money for my son. 7mm |