Sudden power loss CT225

bbse · Jul 11, 2011

I was brush cutting today, it was hotter than the gates of Hades BTW, I was stopping every hour to clean the grill, temp gauge never went more than 2 dots over normal. Anyways, after about five hours mowing it just lost RPM and nearly stalled. I was not cutting at the time but turning on cut grass. I thought it might be a fluke and maybe I just had hit a big clump but it did it again. No missing or sputtering, just acts like it wants to die.....which it eventually did. Let it set a moment and restarted, it revved slowly but as long as I did not put a load on it it ran OK. Tried to cut some more and Bam, no power. I put her on the trailer and took her home. Will check fuel filter and air filter in a bit, have a heat stroke at the moment....man it is hot today. Fuel and air filters were changed at 50 hours, oil and filter at 50 and 150. Currently at 170 hours.

Update: After recovering from the heat, I checked the air and fuel filters, turns out the fuel filter bowl was about empty. I switched the lever to the Air setting and started her up. The fuel bowl filled back up. I have to assume it was the problem as the heat must have caused some type of vapor lock. I have never had this happen before even though I have cut in severe heat before with several different tractors. I hope this is all it was anyways.

wallace · Jul 12, 2011

If this happens again, loosen your fuel cap up and see if it recovers.

bbse · Jul 12, 2011

Thanks Rick,

For a 2nd Update:

Went to fill her up this morning from a full 6 gallon can that I overfill to about 6.5 gallons. The gauge was on a 1/4 tank so I usually only have to put in around 5 gallons. It took the whole can and was still a gallon or so shy from being full. I think the gauge is lying to me and when I got off of level I was running out of gas. I am taking it to the dealer next week or two for a few last minute warranty fixes before the bumper to bumper runs out. I will have them check the gauge.

SSdoxie · Jul 12, 2011

Something on the sendor may be hanging, not letting it drop to bottom, but my Ct225 is just opposite. I run until guage shows all way to empty, run another 1 or so then put in 5 gallons and most of the time will overflow tank getting the last of can empty.

MESSMAKER · Jul 15, 2011

I have a 225 and the gas guage is fickle. It reads ok until low, but may or may not work when refilled. It takes it's own sweet time.

VictorW · Jul 16, 2011

The fuel guages are nothing like a car. Mine would stay on full for ever and at "E", it was dry. Sometimes, it would hang up as mentioned. I took out the sending unit, adjusted the float arm. Now at "E", I have about 2 1/2 gallons left which lets me empty my five gallon container into the tank.

I second Wallace's suggestion. The fuel cap doesn't seem to be letting air into the tank unless you were truely on fumes.

Gittyup · Jul 20, 2011

Vic,

That's exactly how my gauge works. I'm good with that too. Reads empty and takes 5.5 gallons to fill. I prefer it that way. But, then again I'm only using about 15 gallons a year right now. If I were a field user, where I might be far from the can, I'd want it to be more accurate.