John Deere 185 running issues

[Lukematyas]

I have a John Deere 185 with the Kawasaki FC540v in it. I took the cylinder head to clean the piston and valves because it has never been cleaned. I also cleaned the carburetor and replaced the gaskets around the carburetor. I set the valves cold to .005 when I reassembled and put everything back on same as it was taken off. When I started the tractor it sounded like it was not on full power and would only run on choke. After about 30 seconds from startup and still on choke the engine begins to surge badly. It will not idle at all on any speed, it just dies. So far I have thought it to be a vacuum leak but to be honest I don稚 really know. Any ideas would be awesome thank you.

 

[Richard001]

Luke,

Welcome to TBN
:welcome:


I'm sure that there will be some good points offered soon to help you.

Richard

 

[Richard001]

Do you have the service manual for this engine?

If not, your should be able to find it on the internet. Search for the Kawasaki manual, not from JD.

Richard

 

[Lukematyas]

Yes i got the service manual after this problem started

 

[Richard001]

What was the reason for removing the head?

Richard

 

[Lukematyas]

I wanted to clean the piston and one of the valves was squeaking so I cleaned up the valves too

 

[beenthere]

Luke
:welcome: to TBN

Do you have a lot of experience cleaning up old engines this way? and do you have success ?

I'm not familiar with the technique.

 

[Lukematyas]

No it had lots of carbon buildup so I used a wire brush to gently clean up the piston and valves. I don’t have much experience with this

 

[tomplum]

Best thoughts would be to verify that you set the valves at TDC after the intake closed. Other than that, intake gasket in place or check carb.

 

[Lukematyas]

Alright will do I will run through and recheck everything tomarrow and let you know if I solve the problem

 

[Richard001]

You should be aware that this engine has a "automatic compression release" so you have to make sure that the exhaust valve is closed after top dead center.

 

[Lukematyas]

I made sure engine was at TDC and set the valves correctly. This did not correct my issue and the mower is still doing the same thing. It will not run unless the choke is on and it sounds like it is running weirdly

 

[Richard001]

I made sure engine was at TDC and set the valves correctly. This did not correct my issue and the mower is still doing the same thing. It will not run unless the choke is on and it sounds like it is running weirdly

Still sounds like a carb problem. Take it off and completely dissemble it. Make sure you take notes and photos of it as you dissemble it. Thoroughly clean it using carb cleaner and then put it back to gether using new gaskets, and valve seats.


Richard

 

[Lukematyas]

That was my initial thought on what the problem was and I did that, mind you this problem started when I pulled the head off and put it back on

 

[Lukematyas]

At this point i will take any suggestions to what it could be because if i need to replace something i want to make sure that is the problem

 

[Gator6x4]

You sure picked a bear of a engine to work on. The valve spec for your engine is .06 not .05. That could make a difference if not adjusted correctly.

Valve adjustment specs.

Kawasaki Small Engine Intake and Exhaust Valve Clearances

Discussion on adjusting the valves.

https://www.mytractorforum.com/12-john-deere-forum/155013-easy-check-adjust-valve-clearance.html

The Kawasaki Workshop Manual for your engine link has stopped working......................

https://mymowerparts.com/pdf/Kawasa...20V-FC540V-KAWASAKI-SERVICE-REPAIR-MANUAL.pdf

 

[Boo and Best small engine]

Luke ...... You said you cleaned the carb.....If you have the Nikki 2 BBL on your engine then something didn't go back together right..... Lots of parts on those carbs......

If you are still here I can shoot you a link for the service manual on the engine .....

Plus Tard Mon Ami ~!~!

 

[Lukematyas]

that would be awesome thank you.

 

[Lukematyas]

Some more info on what’s going on. I checked the valves again, they are set right and i know the engine was at TDC. When i start it on choke it starts up but when i back off choke the engine shuts down hard, like i turned the key off with it running at high rpms, that sort of sound.

 

[Richard001]

Some more info on what’s going on. I checked the valves again, they are set right and i know the engine was at TDC. When i start it on choke it starts up but when i back off choke the engine shuts down hard, like i turned the key off with it running at high rpms, that sort of sound.

Still sounds like a carb problem.

Richard