GX345

[dieselsmoke1]

Good evening folks,

My first post in the JD L&G forum.

My property is fairly steep and demanding on a mower. I've gone through 2 "disposable" hydros in 7 years. Time to move on to better things.

Many hours of spec and review reading, research and soul search brought me to seeking an X540 or a GX345. They offered the goodies I wanted.

Found a GX345 at what I considered to be a good price and brought it home. Looks good, runs good, 2006, 266 hrs.

After running it for 2 hours I'm still happy with the purchase, just have 4 issues to work out. They go from "no problem" to "Oh Geez".

1. Plastic bushings worn on deck belt idler. Easy fix.

2. Carb drip tube belched about 5 drops of gas after shut down. Not a big deal but is this an indication of repair needed?

3. When leveling the deck I found the right front deck wheel had to adjusted 1/2" higher than others to level out. After getting the deck off I could tell that gauge wheel had taken a hard lick, curling the open end of the discharge chute in about 1/2". Not a major problem, I'll jig it up and jack it back into the correct orientation.

4. This is the head scratcher. The deck height adjustment cam will not hold position when the deck is engaged and raised. I got the deck off today so I could eyeball it. Inspection reveals there is apparently a molded wire clip that should engage the stud to apply resistance, only mine is broken in the middle. This clip is between the top of the cam and the bottom of the frame. One end is visible while the other is apparently tucked back under a serious looking structural member that holds drive belt idler pulleys and other good stuff.

I got a service manual ordered but figured I would ask just in case there was a magic bullet. Can this wire clip be installed without major surgery?

Thanks

 

[TimberXX]

2 units in 7 years? Wow that's tough.

Good luck with you GX.

 

[beenthere]

Is this height adj. what you are referring to in #4?

 

[dieselsmoke1]

Yes, specifically part #3 M135775 CLIP.

It's broken at the center bend. Half of it's still hanging under the frame.

 

[beenthere]

I'd suspect the "easiest" route would be to remove the seat and the fender deck to get good (reasonable) access to fixing this.
Might be able to just remove the footrest cover as it is one piece, by separating it from the fender cover under the seat.
I wouldn't consider it major surgery, but then it isn't a small task either.

 

[dieselsmoke1]

Got my manual sent electronically. Found a view of the item. Yes removing the fender deck will provide access.

Thanks.

 

[beenthere]

smoke
It'll also give you a good opportunity to clean out all the dust and debris that accumulates under there (at least what I've found there). Will help the fan keep the tranny cooler.
Hope it goes well for you.

 

[Jesse11]

My 345 surged and would sometimes stall when increasing the throtle. I put some Seafoam in the gas tank and within 5 minutes all problems disappeared.

Now I put some in the tank every second or third tank full of gas.

 

[dieselsmoke1]

Thanks beenthere. The cooling fan blades has a little residue on the face of the blades. As you said, good time to clean everything up.

It's missing part #33 flat washer that should be below 2B upper spring locking pin. Allows about 2mm vertical movement of the cam/knob assembly. Probably contributed to the detent clip getting out of position and subsequently breaking.

Not a bad repair with the correct info.

 

[dieselsmoke1]

I put some Seafoam in the gas tank and within 5 minutes all problems disappeared.

Seafoam is good stuff for sure. I plan to run some through it as soon as the service work is completed