LX266 riding mower- Starts and immediately dies, won't again start for hours

[MossflowerWoods]

I've had this mower since 2005 and almost new.

Right now if its has set overnight (for example) it will fire right up and immediately die. Nothing will start it again except time, if I try too much I get gas dripping out of the exhaust pipe.

My neighbor suggested a stuck float.

The mower was running great right up to the day before this started. Mowed 1/2 the yard and parked it, next day, no go...

Suggestions please.

Thanks in advance and be well all!
David

 

[tomplum]

It sounds as though that you are getting fuel if you are getting excessive fuel to where it drips out. The question there is, is it just from the over choking. Bear in mind that you should be careful should you be doing things like checking for spark. Check the oil for fuel presents and verify that the cylinder isn't being flooded with fuel. I would remove the spark plug, maybe spin the engine by the top screen a couple times and let it de-flood. Then try a new spark plug and before installing, check for spark. If all is a go install the plug and see what happens. A plug is cheap and easy. Should you find that you have no spark, unsnap the engine connector and try again. Still no spark, you likely have a failed coil.

 

[MossflowerWoods]

It sounds as though that you are getting fuel if you are getting excessive fuel to where it drips out. The question there is, is it just from the over choking. Bear in mind that you should be careful should you be doing things like checking for spark. Check the oil for fuel presents and verify that the cylinder isn't being flooded with fuel. I would remove the spark plug, maybe spin the engine by the top screen a couple times and let it de-flood. Then try a new spark plug and before installing, check for spark. If all is a go install the plug and see what happens. A plug is cheap and easy. Should you find that you have no spark, unsnap the engine connector and try again. Still no spark, you likely have a failed coil.

Tom,

It starts instantly every time I let it sit (probably the carb is deflooding).

That instant start should prove the spark is good, right?

I agree, spark is cheap and easy.

Thanks,
David

 

[rekees4300]

Sounds like choke is stuck. Get some carburetor cleaner from Walmart and spray everything clean inside & out.

View attachment 517474

 

[Curly351]

May be, just a maybe by chance is there a low oil level sensor and once it fires it shuts down because the oil is low?

 

[MossflowerWoods]

May be, just a maybe by chance is there a low oil level sensor and once it fires it shuts down because the oil is low?

I checked the oil, lightly low, but only slightly.

Doubtful but a good idea.

David

 

[MossflowerWoods]

Sounds like choke is stuck. Get some carburetor cleaner from Walmart and spray everything clean inside & out.

I can see the choke moving, but not much. I will check this.

Thanks,
David

 

[frugalangler]

what engine? is it a V-twin, if so I've seen the diode pack that is wired to the kill on the ignition go bad, it will recover after sitting, as soon as it sees electrical energy it shorts, let it set it recovers, rinse and repeat

if you pull the 2 wires from it to the coil, it will allow to start, but the only KILL is by then grounding the spark plug(s) or pinching off the fuel or choking it by blocking the air intake - not recommended practices unless you are a comfortable mechanic though

 

[MossflowerWoods]

what engine? is it a V-twin, if so I've seen the diode pack that is wired to the kill on the ignition go bad, it will recover after sitting, as soon as it sees electrical energy it shorts, let it set it recovers, rinse and repeat

if you pull the 2 wires from it to the coil, it will allow to start, but the only KILL is by then grounding the spark plug(s) or pinching off the fuel or choking it by blocking the air intake - not recommended practices unless you are a comfortable mechanic though

It is a Kohler 16HP. Never seen a V-Twin mower, only V-Twin's I have are my Harleys... LOL...

I'm not much of a mechanic LOL...

David

 

[MossflowerWoods]

I've removed the air cleaner and I tried instant start fluid and nothing. It puddled in the top of carb and dripped out the exhaust...

Sigh...

David

 

[Curly351]

I checked the oil, lightly low, but only slightly.

Doubtful but a good idea.

David

But once it starts and distributes oil now its low and off the sensor, engine shuts down.

 

[MossflowerWoods]

But once it starts and distributes oil now its low and off the sensor, engine shuts down.

OK... #1 - The manual online says check engine oil when cold. #2 - When I checked the dipstick, it was JUST BARELY BELOW the FULL mark. I added a few OZ of oil regardless.

It is NOT low oil level.

Cool?

Thanks,
David

 

[Curly351]

OK... #1 - The manual online says check engine oil when cold. #2 - When I checked the dipstick, it was JUST BARELY BELOW the FULL mark. I added a few OZ of oil regardless.

It is NOT low oil level.

Cool?

Thanks,
David

No worries, Just throwing ideas at you.

 

[MossflowerWoods]

No worries, Just throwing ideas at you.

Its all good Brother... I keep sneaking out and checking things. I read up on the oil sensor, and I went out an after a few seconds just on the starter the oil light goes out. Good idea, but not the culprit.

Mower No Go...

:-(

David

 

[frugalangler]

It is a Kohler 16HP. Never seen a V-Twin mower, only V-Twin's I have are my Harleys... LOL...

I'm not much of a mechanic LOL...

David

http://www.northerntool.com/images/product/2000x2000/247/24797_2000x2000.jpg

Example of a Kohler Vertical Shaft V-Twin - common on many smaller riders

not to worry about not being much of a mechanic, that's why we're trying to lend a helping hand

 

[crazyal]

I would pull the spark plug once it dies. If you don't have a spark capable of igniting the gas it should be wet. I would take it to another engine that you know runs and put the plug with on the plug and put the metal base of the plug against something metal on the engine. Be careful as you don't want to get shocked. Try starting the other engine (make sure there are no switches turned off). As you try to start it look at the plug. You should see a spark jump across the plug from the center electrode to the ground strap. If you don't then you most likely have a bad plug and the spark has found an easier path to ground.

If the spark plug is bad replace and drain all of your gas as it may be contaminated. Also get a couple spares in case you foul the new one trying to get it running again. If the plug is good and it's firing for a brief moment then I would put the plug back in. If you have an AutoZone near by I would pick up one of these:
OEM In line ignition spark tester 25227 - Read 4 Reviews on OEM #25227

It's cheap, less than $10. With it installed between the plug and the plug wire try starting the engine. If you see a spark then you can rule out an ignition problem. Can you unplug the coil so there is no spark? If so then do so. With the plug removed (if you don't have the coil unplugged the plug wire can shock you) put your thumb over the spark plug hole and try turning the engine over. You should feel the engine suck on your finger. You can rent a compression tester from Autozone if you don't have one but as long as you feel it suck chances are there's enough to start the engine.

From there you can move on to fuel. This is most likely where your problem lies. Unless you suspect the gas is bad I think I would focus on the carb. You will need to remove it and rebuild it (or replace it). Gas dripping out of the exhaust is a sign that there's too much gas. It's possible the float is sticking open. It's the round bowl on the bottom of the carb. If it is then fuel is filling up the bowl and then dumping uncontrolled into your engine. This is a common problem and a rebuild kit will include a new float valve.

 

[tomplum]

Yes, a bad spark plug can be a one hit wonder and not fire any further. So if you haven't replaced it yet.....The coil on these as well. I've seen these coils throw some occasional spark and not run. This is because the CD in the coil becomes wacked and releases the spark at the wrong time. I'm assuming that your oil has no fuel in it from the description of your level. I don't recall if these come with the choke wizard on the shaft or not. To verify if the choke plate is staying closed you would need to remove the airbox and visually inspect. Though a closed choke will still usually up and run for more than a few seconds.

 

[Spanner]

Tom,

It starts instantly every time I let it sit (probably the carb is deflooding).

That instant start should prove the spark is good, right? NO

I agree, spark is cheap and easy.

Thanks,
David

That it starts only proves the spark was 'good' for the period the engine actually ran.

Easy things first:

New spark plugs.

Did you fit new s/p's as Tom suggested? Don't dismantle anything else until you verify s/p's first.

 

[txdon]

Gas cap vent hole obstructed?

Loose ground wire on motor?

 

[Spanner]

Gas cap vent hole obstructed?

Loose ground wire on motor?

It's pumping unburnt fuel out of the muffler.

Loose wire would cause intermittent failure.

The OP is describing consistent & recurring symptoms:
Starts up. > Stops straight away. > Starts again tomorrow...