QuestionQUESTION: I have a 10-year old John Deere LT160 riding mower. When fully charged the engine will start but shut off immediately. I have changed the spark plug; fuel pump and fuel filter and blew out the lines. Sometimes it will start and run but very roughly. When I shut it off it will not start again. If I leave it over night and try the following morning it does the same thing, i.e sometimes will start and sometimes it won't. Sometimes when I'm trying to start it I see fluids coming out above the right front tire.
ANSWER: What engine is on the mower?
Has the carburetor ever been rebuilt?
Eric
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: First and foremost thank you for your time and expertise.
The carburetor has never been rebuilt.
The engine is a Kohler Model CV15S-41610.
One cylinder, Four cycle. 11.2kW (15.0 hp)
I don't want to put a lot of money into the mower if it's not worth fixing.
Thank you
Jim
AnswerI would start by removing, dis-assembling and cleaning the carburetor with compressed air from an air compressor. Blow air through all the carburetor orifices (holes) and spray some carburetor cleaner through them as well.
You can download the service manual from Kohler engines. Use the URL below to find the manual:
http://www.kohlerengines.com/home.htm
Cleaning the carburetor is not a very difficult. Make sure you take a picture and mark the carburetor linkages so you know where they go when you put the carburetor back on.
You can also search You Tube for carburetor cleaning videos...there are lots of them on You Tube.
Download the service manual and read the section on servicing the carburetor, clean the carburetor and let me know if it fixes the problem.
Eric
