Deere 175 fuel problems?

[Youngtractorman]

I have a JD 175, 14HP Kawaskaki. It will run OK for a minute, then start to sputter. After another minute, it will only run on choke. What is the deal? There was water in the fuel, but STP and another product were used to push the water out. It sputtered for a few minutes then. I let it run for 15 minutes, and it would at any setting. I shut it off,and it hasn't run right again. Do I have to drain the tank,blow out the line, clean the fuel pump and carb, or replace the fuel filter? I am going to sell this, so I would like to get it running.
Also, how much should it be worth as is AND fixed? It is a 38" hydro. Thank you for any and all replies. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[lawnduster]

Has it been sittting for a period of time. My eager-1 had the same problemafter it sat for awhile. It would run OK for a little bit then it would sputter then quit. It did this for a while then it got to the point where it wouldn't even start. I cleaned the gas tank, and Carb twice then bought a new fuel filter.I got everything back on and it still wouldn't start. Anyway, I ended up taking the carb from a push mower putting it on to see if it would work since the valves and float looked pretty good and clean. The engine ran. So, back to your question I think it might be the carb or something else related to fuel.

 

[Youngtractorman]

It had been sitting over the winter. I don;t know if anyone that would have a carb, except JD. $$$.

I am almost convinced JD products are not for me(maybe because I bad mouth them??). What is the first thing I do on the 175? Break the deck belt. Fixed it. Then, I broke the drive belt. Now this. Anyone else can ride the mower, and it will run for them. When I use it, I break it.
I also was mowing our neighbors yard once. since our JD didn't run, I used his 212. i had never driven one. 'Bout killed myself, along with the water hose(would have if hadn't been in the "granny gear" to make a turn on a hill and not tear it up).

 

[lawnduster]

maybe you can cobble in a carb from another brand of mower or from a push mower /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[Youngtractorman]

there is also ebay. I saw a carb and pump starting at only $4.99, but it already had a bid. Didn't think I needed it then.

 

[joe_padavano]

J. Thomas Distributors (www.j-thomas.com) has a brand new carb for the Kawasaki FC420 complete for about $84 vs. about $125 from JD. Are you sure it's the carb and not just crud in the tank or float bowl? Also, the vent hose on the tank on these tractors tends to deteriorate (I've got a 130 and 160 and the hose on each had crumbled). If the hose has collapsed and plugged, you'll have a problem if the tank can't vent. Finally, have you disassembled and cleaned the carb? The newer additives in gasoline will gum up the small passages in the carb over the winter. I usually need to do this every spring.

Joe Padavano

 

[bontai_Joe]

I wouldn't rely on any product to "push the water out". I'd remove the carb, and clean it manually, rebuild if necessary, but I think a cleaning and removal of water that is most likely still in the carb will do a lot towards fixing the problem.

 

[Youngtractorman]

I belive it is in the tank. I am going to sell it to a guywho is taking me to Pigeon Forge with him(100-150 mile drive). I was asking 500 for it, but how low do you think I should go? I think I can fix the problem, if it is in the tank. I will attempt it all the way up to the fuel pump. After that, I will let our skilled nieghbor fix it. I am leaving tonight and will be back Sunday( I hope)! Thankyou for the replys.

 

[malindac97]

I have been having the same problems with my JD. I have cleaned the tank, replaced the fuel pump and hoses! Any other suggestions?

 

[rodneycalmes]

I have a JD 175, 14HP Kawaskaki. It will run OK for a minute, then start to sputter. After another minute, it will only run on choke. What is the deal? There was water in the fuel, but STP and another product were used to push the water out. It sputtered for a few minutes then. I let it run for 15 minutes, and it would at any setting. I shut it off,and it hasn't run right again. Do I have to drain the tank,blow out the line, clean the fuel pump and carb, or replace the fuel filter? I am going to sell this, so I would like to get it running.
Also, how much should it be worth as is AND fixed? It is a 38" hydro. Thank you for any and all replies. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

have read plenty about this problem, including people who brought it to the dealer 5 times and it was still not fixed. This is what I did about it:

When it ran poorly, I drove it up to my garage and took an air hose to the top vent on my gas tank and pressurized the tank. It ran better. It already had a new fuel pump and carburetor on it.

I looked at the fuel pump and found that it is a diagram that relied on the fluctuating engine vacuum to activate it. That is a very poor design.

After discovering the poor design of the fuel pump, I eliminated the whole pump assembly and threw it in the garbage. Then I wired a universal electric fuel pump to the ignition switch power. The electric pump was rated for 2.5-4psi.
After putting that pump on, I made 5 swipes that were 1/4 miles long mowing out the ditches on my dirt road, then I put it to the ultimate test by mowing down 3 foot tall weeds to expand my parking area. It held up. This was my confirmation that the problem is fixed.