Kawasaki fr651v

[spasm3]

Acts like it's running out of fuel. I replaced the fuel pump and filter. Problem persists. Next step is to get the fuel bowl off, but I need a thin wrench set. Engine runs wide open for a bit then stalls like it's out of fuel. Sometimes I can keep it running by shutting off the blades and closing the throttle to idle.

I need to see if the needle seat is clear and if the float is free.

 

[skyactiv]

Can you grind down a sacrificial wrench on a bench grinder? I did that to a 15MM Craftsman combination wrench to make a bicycle pedal wrench.

 

[Warlord]

Often theyre not actually on there very tight so you can just grab the bowl and twist it loose. That bottom little plug is a fuel shutoff solenoid needle that shuts off fuel flow when the ignition is switched off to prevent backfires. Mine started acting up intermittently and made me think I was having a fuel pump issue so I replaced the pump and filter with no improvement. I spent days fussing around trying to figure out what exactly was wrong before realizing that I could just snip the end off the needle and disable that solenoid. Never an issue since. No backfires either.

 

[bobdoo]

That sounds like the air intake to the gas tank may be plugged. Does loosening the gas cap fix it?

 

[spasm3]

Often theyre not actually on there very tight so you can just grab the bowl and twist it loose. That bottom little plug is a fuel shutoff solenoid needle that shuts off fuel flow when the ignition is switched off to prevent backfires. Mine started acting up intermittently and made me think I was having a fuel pump issue so I replaced the pump and filter with no improvement. I spent days fussing around trying to figure out what exactly was wrong before realizing that I could just snip the end off the needle and disable that solenoid. Never an issue since. No backfires either.

Yes i am suspecting that solenoid. Thats why i want to get the bowl off. I will try twisting it. I found some wrenches to be here tomorrow.

 

[Brian123]

Before you do anything else, take the gas cap off and blow it with compressed air. I had an issue with a Kawasaki engine like this where it would run for 15 minutes and conk out.

 

[spasm3]

Before you do anything else, take the gas cap off and blow it with compressed air. I had an issue with a Kawasaki engine like this where it would run for 15 minutes and conk out.

I did try that lol. No change.

This is on a Toro ss50 zero turn mower.

I took the fuel bowl off , and it was clean. The solenoid worked and was holding over time.

I decided to dump the fuel tank, before removing the carb.

Then realization hit me.

I think i found the problem, and it was me. A week ago, I used a can of fuel from about February. It was fuel stored for generator use. It was winter blend, that I was cycling through due to age. The fuel looked fine, no water, was stored in a red Just-rite type 1 safety can. The mower ran fine cold and when hot would lose power and act like it was out of fuel.

It seems the winter fuel was vapor locking. I took the covers off and took the tank off the mower and dumped it. Put in current fuel from a recent purchase, and the mower runs fine.

Lesson learned. I've had chainsaws run poor on winter fuel used in summer, but never a 4 cycle, till now.