JD LX277 not making full power

hammick · Sep 5, 2016

My '02 LX277 with Kawasaki air cooled twin has never given me any problems. Was mowing the other day and it suddenly quit making full power.

I changed the fuel filter, plugs and adjusted the valves (all valves were loose). Put Seafoam in the tank.

My tractor will make full power until it is fully warmed up and then it starts acting up. I'd say it makes 80 - 85% power. If the blades aren't engaged you wouldn't know it has a problem.

Given that it only does it when warmed up could this be anything other than a bad ignition coil?

Thanks for any advice.

hammick · Sep 5, 2016

Figured out that the right cylinder shuts down when it gets hot. I've also read that this could be a sticky exhaust valve.

I added 1 oz of Seafoam to the crankcase.

I don't have a compression tester. I'll probably swap the coils and see if the left cylinder starts cutting out. That would allow me to rule out an exhaust valve.

Or better yet test the right coil with a spark plug when the right cylinder cuts out.

If it's a sticky valve it should still make spark, correct?