J.D. LA165 wont stay running

[webbman]

I have a John Deere la165 with a B&S 24 hp. eng. It runs for 5 to 10 mins have never timed it. Then it acts like it running out of fuel can play with the choke and it may run a little longer or not. Have replaced the air filter, fuel filter, fuel pump, vac. line. took apart the gas cap and cleaned it, all fuel lines appear to be cleared and in good shape. im thinking my next move is the carb. or the solenoid on the carb. Is there a way to test the solenoid? could it be in the carb? or did I miss something. I can fix almost anything but when it comes to Carbs. im all left thumbs. Im just trying to keep this thing going for another yr. or so until I can buy my last mower. will be fiberglassing the deck and a little more baling wire here and thereafter I get the yard cut. this mower has been a pain. it was good for about 3 yrs.

 

[Roadworthy]

Are you getting a good flow of fuel to the carburetor? If the path is free flowing and it was my mower I'd drain the fuel tank. If it's a gasoline engine I'd then fill the tank with a 50/50 mix of Sea Foam and gasoline. I prefer the non alcohol gasoline for my small equipment when I can get it. Start and run the engine until it dies again. You can nurse it with the choke or whatever, the idea is to get this mix into the carburetor. If the engine quits just leave it alone overnight. Tomorrow all may be well. The process worked well for my pressure washer. Good luck to you.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I had a small engine do that on account of bad spark plug. Just heated up and went totally bad. Cooled down, fine again. I have never seen that happen before. Easy fix!

 

[Richard001]

webbman,

Welcome to TBN
:welcome:


Richard

 

[radios1]

My La145 had a plastic needle valve, it would swell up and stick closed, you need the carburetor rebuild kit which has the stainless steel needle valve..

 

[webbman]

thanks

 

[webbman]

thanks everyone, I replaced all the fuel lines and went ahead and replaced the fuel filter again. Checked the plugs as was suggested had forgot they were also new. Mowed approx. 2 hr. it acted like it was going to die I high tailed it back to the house checked the fuel it was low maybe a 1/4 tank left. filled it up started it up and mowed for another hr. r so had to stop for an appointment. will try to finish today. really need a brush hog between my bad back the weather & working on this mower. grass & r weeds are higher then the mower in places. lol well get er done. again thanks.

 

[Richard001]

thanks everyone, I replaced all the fuel lines and went ahead and replaced the fuel filter again. Checked the plugs as was suggested had forgot they were also new. Mowed approx. 2 hr. it acted like it was going to die I high tailed it back to the house checked the fuel it was low maybe a 1/4 tank left. filled it up started it up and mowed for another hr. r so had to stop for an appointment. will try to finish today. really need a brush hog between my bad back the weather & working on this mower. grass & r weeds are higher then the mower in places. lol well get er done. again thanks.

I don't know about your tractor in particular, but most fuel tanks have the fuel pickup raised about an inch into the tank from the bottom, this is to avoid getting water and other debris into the fuel system.

How are you measinging the fuel level ?

Richard

 

[webbman]

thanks Richard, there is a opening on the body kinda like a sight glass (but the tank is plastic so maybe sight plastic) when the fuel level gets to be approx. 1/8" from out of sight I try to refill. have forgotten a time r two r more. When I open the gas cap it looks like there is approx 1/4 of a tank left. GOOD news it is running good now. will mow again in the next few days then will drop the deck clean it up and fiberglass some very rusty areas. hopefully that will last a few more yrs. if I have to buy a new deck I might as well keep it for another 10 r 15 yrs. again thanks for input.

 

[beenthere]

GOOD news it is running good now

Curious, is it good now just because you put fuel in it, or good now because you did something else? Will be "good" to know for the benefit of this thread. tks