Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): john deere gx345 fuel pump, john deere gx345, deere dealer

Question
Hi David,,,

I have a jd gx345 w/ a 20hp kaw engine....  It has been a very good mower for me.... I noticed a smell of fuelwhile running it the last time I used it... This morning it fell dead while I was mowing,, and would not start... I noticed the fuel pump was leaking fuel from what looked like an overflow vent.. I called my local deere dealer,, and asked for a new fuel pump.. Upon return I installed it,, but found no fuel getting through to the pump... After checking the out side of the pump,, and not getting any fuel out,, I reinstalled the old pump... I then found fuelgetting to the filter and again dripping down the pump,,, but again no start...Back to the dealer I go with the new pump... They said the plunger was broken... Back to the house I go with a new pump.. After installing it,,, observing fuel going through the filter,, then seeing it start,, I thought i had fixed the problem... Then it died and would not start,,, later I found no fuel to the fuel filter or to the pump out side to carb... I removed the 2nd new pump,, only to find the plunger was broken also...  Am I doing something wrong,, or do I have a bad set of pumps...

thx

Answer
By plunger I am assuming you mean the plunger that rubs up against the camshaft?  I would ask the dealer if he suspects a bad camshaft, there were  some issues with cams in these engines at or about the 1000 hour mark. FYI   HTH

I think the problem is deeper then just a defective fuel pump.  Sorry....