Some 08 Scag Wild Cat issue.

[Reverend Blair]

Letting it idle should do the trick. As for the smoke at start up though...with a new machine that could just be build oil burning off. If it persists I'd try a different fuel supplier. Grey smoke sounds like moisture. If that's not it, take it back for warranty work. New machines shouldn't smoke.

 

[radman1]

My Kawasaki 27 hp zero turn will back fire when hot. My dealer told me to either let if run at idle a few minutes before shut off. Or, as soon as you turn the key off, open the throttle wide open and it won't back fire. Both work, but the later method with wide open throttle after turn key off works everytime.

 

[drivadesl]

I've got the same machine with the 25HP Kawi. When I first got it, I would pretty much go from full throttle, to idle than off in a couple of seconds after mowing. It would then backfire a second or so afterwards. I never thought about it, but members here mentioned letting the engine idle for a minute before shutting down, to let things cool, and allowing the engine to catch up to the throttle. Makes sense to me, I can see where going from full throttle to idle than off, could allow some unburnt fuel out the exhaust, then ignite in a hot muffler. It never backfires now that I idle for a minute before shutting down. As far as starting, she fires right up with choke, never a problem, love this engine.