help with my JD 165

[PetesPonies 0]

When teh problem started this spring, it would run 30-45 minutes with no isue. Now it now runs about 10 minutes perfectly, then starts to die. You can take all load off of it and it may stay running, but it pulses up and down. I have checked the fuel filter, its clean and full of fuel even when the problem begins. The bowl of the carb is spotless. I took the fuel pump apart and it too is perfect. It is always tuff to deteremine whether a problem is fuel or ignition related, but this ones seems to shout a fuel problem. Any ideas here? This is a 12.5 HP Kawasaki engine that runs like a dream for 10 minutes ) When this first started happening, it took longer for the problem to crop up, but seems to be getting sooner. If I let it sit for 30 minutes or so, its back to normal for another 10 minutes. When I look down the carb I see tiny bits of oil fom the crankcase breather where it attaches to the carb throat. I have not done anything with the float system. Any ideas?

[TT-(Moderator) 1,131]

Try blowing some compressed air back through the fuel line and into the tank.

How often do you open/close the fuel shut-off valve? (it might be restricted with dirt) The neighbors 185 has a valve in the top of the tank. I'm guessing there is some type of strainer on the end of a tube or hose inside the tank. It might pay you to pull the shut-off on yours and investigate -- if it's the same. Check the fuel line from the tank to the pump for weak spots (where it could be getting sucked shut by the pump)

[PetesPonies 0]

thanks, it seems like a good place to check, but I haven't yet because the fuel filter stays full and is clean. Who knows? It has me baffled so it could be anything. I'll check the tank and line. Thanks

[TT-(Moderator) 1,131]

The only other thing that came to mind was the ignition module. Most of my experience with the "solid-state" units has been it either works or it doesn't .

Next time it tries to die - or dies completely -- pull the plug and check for presence of spark. (and if it's a GOOD "healthy" spark.)

[linen beige 14]

Pete,

Just a thought.

My brother's JD/ Kawasaki did the same thing a couple summers ago. He finally discovered that the muffler was stopped up. Poked a screwdriver through it and problem solved.

[Buzz 502]

Some JDs with the Kawasaki engines had a fuel solenoid that shut off the fuel when the key was turned off. I think that was to prevent the big bang you sometimes hear. Not sure if yours has one though. If it was malfunctioning it could cause the symptoms you're describing.

Another thing, do you have an inline spark tester so you could check for spark as soon as it dies?

[T-Mo-(Moderator) 4,506]

My X320 was doing that also and it had only 22 hours on it. Turns out the vent on the gas cap was clogged. So I would add the gas cap to that list to check.

[PetesPonies 0]

three more good ideas as I think it going to be something "strange" that stops the flow of fuel, either in the engine or out of it. Thanks

[PetesPonies 0]

OK I still haven't found the problem. I have loosened the cap when the problem happens, I even added another vent, no help. I used an inductive timing light to watch the spark when the problem happens, its still there. Obviously I don't know if the spark seriously weakens, but it still fires the light. I have removed and gone through the carb, all looked good and no change after reinstall. I removed the PCV ( it seemed to drop a lot of oil into the carb ) and ran it, no change. I'm stumped. I suppose we could be looking at an ignition problem such to weaken the spark, but not totally loose it. Any ideas?? I have seem these symptoms listed on forums, but haven't seen anyone solve it . Help

[PetesPonies 0]

I still haven't solved the problem. Help.

[Jim_M 178]

I have worked on 2 John Deeres this spring with Kawasaki engines, one a twin and one a single cyl. that had very similar problems. On both of them it turned out to be the ignition coil.

[PetesPonies 0]

so both had intermittant problems and it was the coil huh? Did you check to see if a spark was still present when yours had problems?? No problem with the ignitor or module, just the coil? Thanks

[Jim_M 178]

Pete,

Both of them would run fine until they got warm, then on the twin cyl. it would lose spark to one cyl., the single cyl. would get so powerless you had no choice but to shut it off.

I put a spark tester between the wire and plug so I could watch it, and the spark never totally quit, but it got very weak.

No other bad parts on either engine, just the coils.

Jim

[curly 0]

Pete in the past said problem has always seemed to be electrical related. Maybe coil breaking down or something electrical.

Curly in kaintuckee

[PetesPonies 0]

thanks for the suggestions. I always find it most difficult to dianose whether a problem is fuel or electrical . .I mean eraly on. I willa dmit I am able to dianose automobiles much easier than this little tractor ) Part of it is that stuff isn't as easily gotten to on the tractor. I wanted to eliminate elctrical problems because the spark never did cut out. However, I'm not sure how much spark is needed to keep an inductive light working . .so maybe it could be very weak or even off time.