X300 Won't start and am running out of options

[MMX300]

I have 2008 x300 that's been running a bit off recently. Every time I would mow the lawn at least once or twice when I tried to re-engage the PTO the engine would die, then I would have to crank and crank the engine until it started (and I would see a puff of black smoke)

Based on that i did a recommended service, including new gas and air filter, new plugs and oil change. Everything went great, engine started right up and life was good.

3 weeks have gone by, i went to move the machine and it won't start. It cranks like crazy, but thats it.

Here's what I've tried:
Replaced the ECU, since I read they were a problem [did that first because I couldn't get a good spark]Checked for spark - it's got a good spark on both cylinders
Removed engine cover, checked the wires and no critter marks, all connections appear to be good
Checked/replaced the spark plugs incase they had fouled
Sprayed a small amount of starter fluid - did nothing
Took off the fuel filter, blew air through it to see if air got through
I did notice the fuel wasn't flowing well through the filter, but I sprayed starter fluid in the carb and expected that to at least start it [also checked the gas cap to see if there was any blockage]

No idea how to check the coil?

Running out of options

Thank you and any advice is appreciated

 

[oldnslo]

Did you do a compression test?

 

[MMX300]

Have not done a compression test - that's a piece of equipment I haven't purchased "yet"

Engine has 79.5 hrs on it. What would be a potential reason for a loss of compression?

 

[grsthegreat]

How long has it sat with 10% ethanol fuel in it. reason i asked is cause both my chainsaws, my walk behind snowblower and my mantis rototiller either needed all the fuel lines replaced or their carburetors rebuilt last summer due to putting the old style (non marine grde Stabil) in the fuel at the end of the previous season.

The fuel lines were totally gummed up and plugged.

As of last summer, all i will buy for both the 2 stroke and the 4 stroke engines is non-ethanol super unleaded fuels.

no more of the blends...ever.

since you said your not getting fuel thru the filter you can check there.

The carbs on the snowblower had to be rebuilt and the carb on the mantis had to be totally replaced cause all the ports were plugged solid.

i just love out inept government and their ethanol program

 

[MMX300]

Thanks for the reply - Tractor sat about 3 weeks between starts

 

[grsthegreat]

Thanks for the reply - Tractor sat about 3 weeks between starts

hmm, 3 weeks should not have been any issues from gumming.

and the seat or clutch switch should prevent the starter from turning at all, and you say that these are turning, just not starting


hmm, let me think

 

[MMX300]

Yeah, trust me. It's driving me crazy.

I was thinking the fuel isn't flowing well enough, but I poured a little gas into the carb, nothing - not even an attempt.

I just got finished disconnecting and reconnecting all the wiring.

Would a bad coil prevent it from starting - even though there's a spark?

 

[grsthegreat]

Yeah, trust me. It's driving me crazy.

I was thinking the fuel isn't flowing well enough, but I poured a little gas into the carb, nothing - not even an attempt.

I just got finished disconnecting and reconnecting all the wiring.

Would a bad coil prevent it from starting - even though there's a spark?

the coil generates the spark, so if theres a spark than that should be ok.

man, im stumped at this point.

one statement you made about the engine stalling when you engage the pto leads me to think that the pto safety switch may be to blame, but i would think that this would prevent ant turning over of the engine at all???

 

[redka]

MMX300, I had what was apparently the same experience about a month ago on my x300 at 97 hours. I did not try everything you did, finally took it in to the JD shop. They said it had a bad module. I don't know what module. They had it fixed it a few minutes. Warranty covered it. Running fine.

 

[MMX300]

kind of what I thought about the coil - just didn't know if I was missing something.

I'm at a loss - so, it might be time to call a JD Dealer [Still under warranty, but I just hate not being able to fix something]

Almost feels like a timing issue.

Thanks for all the quick feedback. Time to put her back together and call the Service team tomorrow.

Best,

MMX300