GT2544 Engine Problem

[BigBlue]

Recently my Wife had been mowing our lawn and the tractor just died on her. I wasn't home so she called and asked what to do. She said it would start and within a few seconds it would die again. I told her to check for low oil, but that wasn't the problem. When I got home I checked and the oil level was right on the money so I thought maybe the fuel filter was clogged. I changed it out and still have the same problem. It will start over and over again, only to stall out after a few seconds running. It runs very strong while it's running and after several attempts to start even has the engine warmed up, but every time it stalls out a few seconds after starting. Any suggestions on what this problem may be?
Thanks,
Don

 

[savageactor7]

hummm, dies after a few seconds running?

Notice any connection with it stalling and releasing of the clutch/brake pedal? Could be a safety switch there that needs some tweaking?

From there I would suspect the fuel pump.

 

[BigBlue]

I took the took the mechanical fuel pump apart and it appears to be in good shape. Didn't know how it worked, but do now. I tried starting it with the brake lock on and same deal, starts up, runs a few seconds and then dies out. It does seem like a fuel problem, but it's odd that it does run a few seconds each time I try it.
Thanks,
Don

 

[OldMachinist]

You can verify it's a fuel problem by having someone spray starting fluid in the carb after you start it. If it will stay running on the ether then its a fuel problem. If not then then its electrical. Could be a bad ignition switch.

 

[BigBlue]

I'll sure give the starting fluid a try in the morning.
Thanks,
Don

 

[BigBlue]

The starting fluid worked, so it's definitely a gas problem. I'll have to get a piece of gas line hose and attach to the outlet on the fuel pump to see if I have fuel coming through there.
Thanks,
Don

 

[rcbe]

also ck to see if tte afterfire solenoid is energizing (and retracting) at engine start - it's located at carb bottom - has 12v wire running to it. These solenoids sometime fail or stick, cutting off fuel to the high speed power circuit.

 

[BigBlue]

I checked the fuel flow at the fuel pump outlet and plenty of fuel there, so that leads me to the carburetor and I'll have to get further into that tomorrow. I'll check that solenoid at the carb bottom also. Thanks for the tip!
Thanks,
Don

 

[JTKub]

also ck to see if tte afterfire solenoid is energizing (and retracting) at engine start - it's located at carb bottom - has 12v wire running to it. These solenoids sometime fail or stick, cutting off fuel to the high speed power circuit.

+1 to this. You could be getting plenty of fuel flow into the carb bowl, but it wont go from the bowl into the carb if the fuel cut-off solenoid is stuck closed. There should be an obvious *CLICK* from this solenoid when the ignition is turned on.

Joel

 

[BigBlue]

I checked the fuel cut off solenoid and it is working as intended. I removed it and put 12VDC to the wire and grounded the solenoid and it clicks in and out with the power turned on and off.
My grass is getting longer and I still can't figure this one out. :confused2:
Don

 

[OldMachinist]

Likely ether the fuel float is stuck or the needle is. You'll have to remove the carb, take the fuel bowl off, clean it out and make sure there's no crud in the needle/seat area.

 

[Molerj]

The problem is with the fuel solenoid. There is a black cap on the needle that comes loose and blocks the flow of fuel. When the engine dies and you shut off the key the needle pops out and reseats the cap. Then when you start it it comes loose again blocking the flow. Remove the cap and your problem will go away or buy a new solenoid which is quite pricey and in my opinion, unnecessary.

 

[BigBlue]

I took the carburator apart and cleaned everything, no change. I also checked the solenoid and there is no cap on the solenoid needle. The needle slides in and out of a brass piece that is set in the carb. It has four holes in the sides that allow the fuel flow when the solenoid needle slides out of the way. Of course after all the trying, the battery died now so I have it on charge.
Thanks,
Don

 

[rcbe]

BB - when you clean that carb, gotta be VERY thorough... including a long soak in carb cleaner, all passageways/orifices cleaned out with a small dia copper/brass wire using a magnifier to find all in carb body, all blown out with compressed air and carb re-asm with all new gaskets.
It doesn't take much trash at all mess up function..... also good idea to take pix during teardown for successful put back together..

 

[BigBlue]

I did a little test and jumped the fuel shut off solenoid wire directly to battery and the engine ran just fine. Something is turning the power off to the solenoid after it starts up. I tried starting it with the solenoid wire connected and it starts but dies out. I tried starting it with the solenoid wire disconnected and it won't start at all. Now I have to find out what could be killing the power to the solenoid after it starts? Ignition switch???
Thanks,
Don

 

[rcbe]

BB - that sounds like a faulty ignition switch, as 12 vdc comes thru it down to that carb afterfire solenoid which is supposed to remain energized while the engine is running...
could be that the solenoid is getting power while the ign sw is turned to start, but fails to continue delivering 12 vdc when sw is at "run" postion.

 

[OldMachinist]

The solenoid gets power directly from starter solenoid during cranking and then after the key is released back to the run position it gets power from the "R" terminal on the key switch and the alternator. There's a diode on the wire that comes from the starter solenoid so the power from "R" terminal doesn't continue to power the starter solenoid. The hour meter gets power from the "R" terminal also. Is the hour meter working when you just turn the key to run? It could be a problem with key switch or the alternator.

 

[BigBlue]

No hour meter with the switch to run.
Any idea why a fuel cut off solenoid is necessary to the tractor? Is it just to prevent pressurized fuel from getting into the carb after the the tractor is switched off?
Thanks,
Don

 

[rcbe]

they call it an "afterfire" solenoid. It shuts off fuel to the carb power circuit (not the idle circuit) to help prevent the loud bangs sometimes heard upon engine shutdown . It reduces the amount of unspent fuel vapor in the muffler chamber which can explode from a hot engine shut down quickly...