Z724 Hot Start

timswi · Jun 18, 2020

Have a Z724...Cold starts are very quick with no issues. Seems when I restart after mowing (5-15 min after) it sometimes has difficulty getting to WOT RPM. Never stalls but seems to struggle for 10 seconds or so. All new filters etc...Any ideas?

Also, since this was new it will puff what appears to be blue smoke when starting hot or cold. Doesn't use any oil at all. Koehler engine. Was told this is normal--Find that hard to believe.

ritschner · Jun 28, 2020

It is a good idea to let it idle for a minute or two with no load before shutting down, that may help. As far as blue smoke, my 26HP Koehler power riding mower would smoke turning a corner. The way to eliminate that issue is to run the oil level no more than 3/4's of the way up between the add and full marks on the dipstick.

radios1 · Jun 28, 2020

it's normal for a new engine to smoke a bit until the rings wear in!.. then it will stop smoking..

timswi · Jun 28, 2020

radios1 said:
it's normal for a new engine to smoke a bit until the rings wear in!.. then it will stop smoking..

Well, it does have 100ish hours on it...Would have thunk they would be seated by now...Dunno, not hurting anything I guess.

Roadworthy · Jun 28, 2020

I don't have a ZTR. I do have a mower with a twin cylinder Kohler. If I park it slightly nose down it will smoke when started, though it doesn't seem to use oil between changes. I've taken to parking slightly uphill (backing into its parking place) and the smoking has stopped.