QuestionHi, I hope you can help me . . . I'm getting to the breaking point. I have a Scotts 2048 (42" deck) made by John Deere, Engine Model # 40677, Type 0128E1, Code 01827Y6 (7 years old). Two years after purchase, it ran rough, took it back to the John Deere dealer and they ended up splitting the engine and replacing the governor gear, since then it's ran great. . . until about a week ago. I made the mistake of leaving it outside overnight (first time I've ever done that), it rained. Anyway, I jumped on, started mowing & within about 5 minutes it began running rough and quit. I changed the fuel & replaced my inline fuel filter, it didn't help. It starts easily and runs perfectly until I start moving it, within 5 minutes it begins running rough, the governor begins working very hard, then the engine quits. I've tried the choke, but can't keep it running. Since then, I've removed and cleaned the gas tank, replaced all gas lines front to back, checked & cleaned the gas cap, replaced plugs, checked coils (one seemed weak) replaced with new coil, replaced fuel pump, replaced vacume hose, pulled valve cover off(very clean), removed carb-checked float & needle valve, cleaned, - checked solenoid on the bowl of the carb - seems to be working fine (turning the key on and off). Something I did notice . . . with the key on, the solenoid sometimes gets warm. I checked a friends (last years model 25 HP Briggs) and that one didn't get warm. Anyway, started my tractor, runs great sitting in my garage for as long as I want it to run, take it out, start mowing, within 5 minutes it quits (pull choke out, it starts up and quits). I did notice that when it quits, there's little or no fuel in the fuel line filter. I contacted a Briggs & Stratton Dealer here in Michigan, and to my surprise, he said he has a 20 HP Briggs with the same problem. I talked to him again 2 days ago and he still hasn't figured it out. As you can imagine, I'm not too happy right now and I don't know what else to do. Please, can you help? Thanks.
AnswerI'm guessing you still have a dirty carb.
Does the tractor ever get to the point where it just won't run no mater what you do? If it gets to that point immediately check for spark on both sides. If you have spark you need to clean the carb.
Today at work my best tech, Russ, has worked here for 10+ years. He is the 2nd best tech in the Kansas City area. I don't have to tell you who's the best. Cleaned a carb 3 times before he got it clean. It took soaking in "toxic waste" that you can't even buy to get it clean.
Try the carb clean again.
FYI.... The fuel filter always looks empty. It's a physics thing.
