I would clean the OE carb first along with the fuel filter change. Those off shore cheap knock off carbs are very hit or miss.
JD LA110 Resurection
- Thread starter Astro_Guy
- Start date
Project Update 2 July
Stopped by an auto parts store this morning for B12. Dumped a few ounces in and started the tractor. I noticed that it would go to full throttle without hunting or surging before that B12 had a chance to get to the carburetor. Encouraged by this I took it for a drive and would estimate that it went 20 seconds before surging again. I continued to let it idle at low speed and take it for a drive around the yard. Sometimes it would make it only ten seconds before surging; other times it would make it thirty seconds. Engaging the blades seemed to cause it to surge almost immediately. I ran it for 25 minutes today so the B12 has definitely had time to make it to the carburetor.
I can see some grass and unidenified black stuff in the fuel tank. The fuel cap doesn't appear to be disintegrating. It should be out of fuel soon if I keep up these exercise runs. Once that happens I will try to vacuum out the fuel tank. It seems as if I should remove and clean the bowl. Also need to check the air cleaner for a rodent nest.
Stopped by an auto parts store this morning for B12. Dumped a few ounces in and started the tractor. I noticed that it would go to full throttle without hunting or surging before that B12 had a chance to get to the carburetor. Encouraged by this I took it for a drive and would estimate that it went 20 seconds before surging again. I continued to let it idle at low speed and take it for a drive around the yard. Sometimes it would make it only ten seconds before surging; other times it would make it thirty seconds. Engaging the blades seemed to cause it to surge almost immediately. I ran it for 25 minutes today so the B12 has definitely had time to make it to the carburetor.
I can see some grass and unidenified black stuff in the fuel tank. The fuel cap doesn't appear to be disintegrating. It should be out of fuel soon if I keep up these exercise runs. Once that happens I will try to vacuum out the fuel tank. It seems as if I should remove and clean the bowl. Also need to check the air cleaner for a rodent nest.
Thanks. I do believe that fuel delivery from the tank to the carb needs investigation. Is my plan to completely empty the tank and vacuum it out sound, or am I at risk of blowing up my shop vac? Luckily there is no urgency to this project. The battery appears to be toast so I may just get a new one on my next trip to WallyWorld.
Please don't use a vacuum. Plenty of explosive youtube videos of that. I like to use compressed air with the fuel line disconnected.
NO SHOP VAC TO DRAIN A GAS TANK. Unless your looking to meet your maker and make the evening local news.
Tank under the seat just use some compressed air. not too much pressure, and let the old gas come out at the fuel pumps inlet hose connection. New filter will finish job.
Tank under the seat just use some compressed air. not too much pressure, and let the old gas come out at the fuel pumps inlet hose connection. New filter will finish job.
Sorry - I meant after the tank was empty and fully dry. There's a fair amount of grass and other stuff in there.
Project Update 3 July
I went over to the MIL's again today and fired up the tractor. The good news is that it starts easier every time I visit. The bad news is that the B12 doesn't seem to have done anything. The engine still surges and hunts shortly after it goes to full throttle. The problem seems to get worse under any kind of load.
I checked the air filter and found it to be in pristine condition. Whoever serviced the machine in 2020 obviously changed that out as well.
There is still a fair bit of gas + Seafoam + B12 in the tank. I would estimate that to be somewhere in the neighborhood of 1-2 quarts. The immediate plan is to keep running it every few days until this fuel mix is gone. After that it will be time to address the fuel line, fuel fiter and also clean the carburetor bowl. Any other suggestions are welcomed.
As an interesting aside, the starter won't so much as click when I arrive. After ten minutes of running the machine will start on its own. That's rather odd for a neglected five year old battery.
I went over to the MIL's again today and fired up the tractor. The good news is that it starts easier every time I visit. The bad news is that the B12 doesn't seem to have done anything. The engine still surges and hunts shortly after it goes to full throttle. The problem seems to get worse under any kind of load.
I checked the air filter and found it to be in pristine condition. Whoever serviced the machine in 2020 obviously changed that out as well.
There is still a fair bit of gas + Seafoam + B12 in the tank. I would estimate that to be somewhere in the neighborhood of 1-2 quarts. The immediate plan is to keep running it every few days until this fuel mix is gone. After that it will be time to address the fuel line, fuel fiter and also clean the carburetor bowl. Any other suggestions are welcomed.
As an interesting aside, the starter won't so much as click when I arrive. After ten minutes of running the machine will start on its own. That's rather odd for a neglected five year old battery.
A few years ago, I began mowing my wife's Aunt's lawn with the Aunt's circa 2017 John Deere Z535M which was only used sporadically before I started using it. It was surging pretty bad when not under load. The only things I did to remedy it were to install a new air filter, put Seafoam in the gas, and run only 100% gas (no ethanol) in it. The surging went away in one mowing season.
Why didn't you pump or drain out the old gas first? Charge the battery? But battery is probably toast.
I think you are counting too much on the gas additives to clean things. You may need to take the carb off and clean it in an ultrasonic cleaner.
I would check any gas containers they have hanging around. Grass got in the tank through some way.
I would check any gas containers they have hanging around. Grass got in the tank through some way.
Project Update 4 July
We visited the MIL again today and started the tractor. The good news is that it now starts unassisted with its five year-old battery. That's pretty amazing. The bad news is that there is no improvement in terms of surging and hunting at high throttle. The Seafoam and B12 have had their chance. They did improve thngs but now I will need to tear into things. Film ayt eleven.
We visited the MIL again today and started the tractor. The good news is that it now starts unassisted with its five year-old battery. That's pretty amazing. The bad news is that there is no improvement in terms of surging and hunting at high throttle. The Seafoam and B12 have had their chance. They did improve thngs but now I will need to tear into things. Film ayt eleven.
If it has a fuel filter, it wouldn't hurt to replace it. If not splicing one in would help. An old guy that works on lawn mowers near me said to always check the float bowl as it may have crusty junk in the bottom. Now that seafoam has cleaned up the fuel system it might get sucked up into the carburetor.
