JD 316 Running Problem

[Ortis]

I have a JD 316 garden tractor with the 2 cyl Onan engine. It has been a pain to keep working from the beginning. The current gripe is stalling. It runs ok for a minute or 2 or 3 and then stops. If you restart, the same thing happens. Speed fluctuates while it is running. I changed the plugs and the spark looks good. Air filter is clean. Fuel filter is new. The carburetor hold down bolts were a bit loose and I tightened them. I took the top off the carb expecting to find dirt, but it is clean to look at, at least.

Has anyone else had this symptom? What is the next logical step? Flaky fuel pump?

The JD dealer tells me a carb rebuild kit is $150! I may take it off and clean it and reuse the old gaskets - unless you have better ideas.

 

[GaryK]

How old is your tractor? It sounds like a fuel problem. could be as simple as a bad fuel line(collapsed) , water in the fuel bowl, faulty needle valve or air leak. will the engine run with the choke partially out?

 

[awlchu]

Does it idle okay? Idle circuit in the carb is clean.

Does it die at full throttle? The high-speed circuit is plugged.

By "circuit" I mean the very small passages in the carb are partially blocked (grim varnish dog food /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif ).

Must need to take carb off and clean the dick'ins out of it. REmove all part and take to a carb shop and untra-sonic clean them.

$150 is cheaper than a new carb!

 

[Deere_parts]

Next logical step is to test the fuel pressure and trouble shoot it instead of just throwing parts at it.

If you just throw parts at it until it works right you may end up spending $400 - $500 easily

This could be either a fuel problem or an ignition problem but the surging makes it sound most likely a fuel problem.

These caburetors are simple and $150 is way out of line for a rebuild kit on a common engine like that.

JD list price for the B43E kit is $72 and for the P218G it is $125, the entire carburetor is only $165, with prices like that on rebuild kits I would call Napa, Cummins Onan or the local Joe that does small engine repair who could probably do the entire repair that is actually needed for $150

1). test fuel pressure
2). test coil

What kills me is the gasket set for the fuel pump is $60 but you can buy the entire pump for $65. What's wrong with that picture.

 

[Toolguy]

Parts for Onan engines are a lot cheaper at an Onan dealer than from JD. All you need is the engine model # and serial number and they will probably have everything you need in stock. They are good engines. My 318 has 1300 hours on it and still runs great.

 

[Ortis]

Thanks for the help. I agree that a fuel problem seems most likely, especially since it has not been used much since I got a Kubota B2100 (oops, I should not have said that). I agree that troubleshoot first is a good idea. I have the manual - I'll see what it says about testing the cil and fuel pump.

 

[jonesiera]

Go to the Yahoo John Deere Tractor Club as was suggested and direct your Questions to "Stan" as he is a Garden Tractor Tech and will have more than enough answers!!