Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): 14HP Kawasaki motor lawn tractor, john deere lawn tractor, john deere lawn

Question
Having problems starting my tractor. It's puffing through the carb, takes forever to start. Sometimes backfires through the carb. I have cleaned the flywheel, reset the air gap at .012, this is what the John Deere mechanic told me. I have checked the spark, the electric solenoid in the carb. Do you have any suggestions? This tractor has been garage-kept since new (LX172 John Deere lawn tractor). Once the tractor starts, it idles perfect and at high rpm's, perfect. Please help.
Walter


Answer
Is the carburetor choke working?  I would start by removing, dis-assembling and cleaning the carburetor with compressed air from an air compressor and spray can carb cleaner.  Spray carb cleaner through all the carb orifices and then blow compressed air through the orifices.

Have the valves ever been checked?  The links below have valve clearance specs.

http://www.texas.dk/sparepart/tegninger/motorer/specifikation/specifikationer_20

http://www3.kawpowr.com/enginesecure/ServiceManuals/FC290V.pdf

Let me know if cleaning the carb helps.

Eric