Dockside Chat - John Deere LX178 Help

I ran my out of gas yesterday and after refilling, it just doesn't want to go. Despite fresh fuel, I'm guessing something got past the inline filter and got stuck. It was a tad hard to start, then it wouldn't come up to speed though it would idle fine. I robbed a filter off another mower, and it seemed to work... for a couple of minutes. Now it won't even idle. This one is a watercooled Kawasaki, and I can't even begin to get at the carb.

Anybody have any suggestions that don't involve the use of personal lubricant?

Before you lube up.....


Check the gas cap, or better yet, take it off and see if she'll start/run.




Big Al

Got around to messing with it earlier this morning, but the gas cap thing didn't work. Dropped the float bowl and it had a tiny bit of trash in it but was full of fuel. Dropped the float and needle valve and cranked some fuel through the carb and put it back together, but that didn't help either.

It'll still start and run for a few seconds at dead idle, but any throttle advance instantly kills the engine. May have to break down and take it to a repair shop, but by the time I get it back, there will be snow on my hayfield. Anybody have any other ideas?

Yes, Al, you can guess again. :grin:

Here is the list (not necessarily in order:grin:)

drain fuel system and refill with fresh fuel

remove carb - diassemble and clean

remove carb - rebuild

check throttle cable(s)

check stator/power pack/coil

No guessing, just a process of elimination.

Did you really expect someone to post an exact solution?

Wait, of course you did:rofl::rofl:


Big Al

Open the fuel line valve. Don't ask me how I know.:grin:

Open the fuel line valve. Don't ask me how I know.:grin:

:rofl::rofl:

That's prolly it.:rofl:


Big Al

Here is the list (not necessarily in order:grin:)

drain fuel system and refill with fresh fuel

remove carb - diassemble and clean

remove carb - rebuild

check throttle cable(s)

check stator/power pack/coil

No guessing, just a process of elimination.

Did you really expect someone to post an exact solution?

Wait, of course you did:rofl::rofl:


Big Al

It's not an electrical issue, it's a fuel issue, and it's full of fresh fuel. Been using it all spring with no problems. Gotta be a clogged jet at this point, but I was hoping... ah, never mind. Where's the FCB salute when you need it? :grin:

Maybe I'll try something to clean out the carb vs removing the damn thing. Looks like it would be a major PITA.

Must be the stbd engine.:grin::grin:


Big Al

Open the fuel line valve. Don't ask me how I know.:grin:How do you know? :grin:

Sorry, I had to do it... and NO, that's not it!

Must be the stbd engine.:grin::grin:


Big Al

Don't you have some Facebook stock to sell? ;cool;

just because it's fresh gas doesn't mean it's good. If it's E-10 drain it at the bottom of the carb bowl. Then add new gas from a different can . Eliminate that part first .Been there done that and the personal lube almost got involved . they could have took me with out the kiss afterward .
Mower shop told me to use non e-10

It's a carb jet that's plugged. You'll have to disassemble the carb, remove the needles and blow the jets out. Then follow up by blowing in some carb cleaner to insure the jets are open. Before you remove the needles, screw them in until they bottom, counting the turns - make note of it as it is your starting point when you reassemble.

just because it's fresh gas doesn't mean it's good. If it's E-10 drain it at the bottom of the carb bowl. Then add new gas from a different can . Eliminate that part first .Been there done that and the personal lube almost got involved . they could have took me with out the kiss afterward .
Mower shop told me to use non e-10This gas is fresh as in fresh out of the pump. When I ran out, I had to head to the service station with my empty gas cans.

It's a carb jet that's plugged. You'll have to disassemble the carb, remove the needles and blow the jets out. Then follow up by blowing in some carb cleaner to insure the jets are open. Before you remove the needles, screw them in until they bottom, counting the turns - make note of it as it is your starting point when you reassemble.I'm thinking I'll let somebody else do that. Like Clint said, a man has to know his limitations. :grin:

Open the fuel line valve. Don't ask me how I know.:grin:

:rofl::rofl:

That's prolly it.:rofl:


Big Al


Knowing the birdman, yes it probally is!!! :grin:


Did the old gas have sta-bil in it? If not it could have gummed up the carb if it sat for any length of time.

That called for an import... http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p57/FREEBIRD58/1928_middle_finger-3.gif

:grin::grin:

Ain't no way in hell the carb is gonna gum up after I've run three tanks of new fuel through it... ya big dummy. Don't make me grab the popcorn 'cause you know I will...

That called for an import... http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p57/FREEBIRD58/1928_middle_finger-3.gif

:grin::grin:

Ain't no way in hell the carb is gonna gum up after I've run three tanks of new fuel through it... ya big dummy. Don't make me grab the popcorn 'cause you know I will...

It could be an electrical issue. My generator did the exact same thing after our last hurricane. I was like you and thought it was a gas issue. Finally l ended up cutting the oil sensor wire and it ran like a charm. You might want to check all safety overrides to the engine. Oh, and that valve too.