QuestionQUESTION: Just picked up a John Deere JS60. It runs at a really high idle. The previous owner said this just started happening one day last year. It can still be used but I would like to try and fix it for obvious reasons. Any ideas on where to start with resolving this? Any suggestions would be appreciated.
ANSWER: Hello Steve:
First you will need to Clean the Carburetor. **Remove, Disassemble and Soak the Carburetor Overnight in Carburetor Cleaner (I Use Gunk). I have Found that Most People can Use a Breakdown/IPL and Disassemble the Carburetor Enough for Proper Cleaning. You Only have to Remove the Bowl (if Applicable), Float Pin (if Applicable), Float (if Applicable) and Needle Valve and Any Adjustment Screws that Go Into the Carburetor Body. The Welch Plugs Do Not have to be Removed. Then Soak the Carburetor Body and Parts in a 1 Gallon Can of Gunk Carburetor Cleaner Overnight. The Can has a Parts Tray Inside it for the Small Parts. Once the Carburetor and Parts are in the Cleaner, you can Replace the Lid for Safety and to Prevent Accidental Spillage. Then Blow Out the Passages with Compressed Air. Install New Parts if Required.** Also, can you Explain in More Detail How the Engine Performs? Is the Engine Operating Properly at Full Throttle? If you Hit a Snag or this Does Not Correct the Problem, I am Here if You Require More Assistance. Hope this Helps. Let me Know What Happens, Please. May the All Mighty Bless You and Yours. Thanks.
Good Luck
Respectfully
John
PS: I am Allowed to Answer 10 Questions a Day. If you See I am Maxxed Out, then Try Submitting your Question at or Just After 8pm EST (US). My New Day Starts then. Thanks.
Respectfully
John
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Hi John, Thanks for the information. I have never taken apart a carburetor but I printed the IPL from the John Deere site and it looks pretty straight forward. Will probably tackle it this weekend. One question, if I need to replace parts, will it be obvious, if not what should I look for? To answer your question, the engine seems to run strong...just too strong and loud! No skips, good compression when I pulled the cord to start it, started after a half dozen pulls after sitting all winter and the gas tank was bone dry, which seemed normal to me. There is a lot of vibration but I attribute that to the high idle or maybe the blade needs to be balanced(?). I plan to take the blade off and get it sharpened once I get the idle issue solved. Let me know what you think and any pointers on taking apart the carb will be welcome. Thanks again. Steve
AnswerHello Again Steve:
Usually you can See if Any Parts Require Replacing. The Most Common Parts that Would Require Replacing are the Float Needle and Seat (Make Sure the Flat Side of the Square O-Ring is Facing the Carburetor and the Rounded Surface is Facing the Float Needle), the Bowl Gasket and the Carburetor Mounting Gasket. Usually, if this is the First or Second Carburetor Cleaning on this Carburetor; you can Clean the Components and Reuse Everything. Did you Check the Crankcase Oil Level and Actually Change the Oil? The Vibration May be the Blade or the Crankshaft May be Slightly Bent. Remove the Spark Plug and then Tilt the Mower so the Plug Hole is Facing Up. Have Someone Turn the Engine while you Watch the Center Blade Bolt. If the Bolt Turns True, then the Crankshaft is Not Bent. If the Bolt Wobbles, then the Crankshaft is Bent. Depending on How Much the Crankshaft is Bent will Determine the Amount of Vibration the Mower will have. If Slightly Bent, then Balancing the Blade May Help. This Carburetor has Not Air Mixture Screws, so Cleaning the Carburetor should Eliminate the High Idle Problem. For the Loud Problem, Check the Muffler and Make Sure it is Not Burnt Out. Here is the Carburetor Removal File: **Remove the Breather Assembly from the Carburetor. Grip the Gas Hose with Vice Grip Pliers to Stop the Gas Flow to the Carburetor. Remove the Gas Line at the Carburetor. Unbolt the Carburetor From the Engine and CAREFULLY Turn the Carburetor to Remove the Linkage from the Carburetor Throttle Thru Shaft and Choke (as Required). Now Disassemble the Carburetor, Soak and Clean. Reassemble the Carburetor and Re-Attach the Carburetor to the Engine. Connect the Gas Line and Remove the Pliers.** If you Hit a Snag or this Does Not Correct the Problem, I am Here if You Require More Assistance. Hope this Helps. Let me Know What Happens, Please. May the All Mighty Bless You and Yours. Thanks.
Good Luck
Respectfully
John
PS: I am Allowed to Answer 10 Questions a Day. If you See I am Maxxed Out, then Try Submitting your Question at or Just After 8pm EST (US). My New Day Starts then. Thanks.
Respectfully
John
