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Heet is what I use if a tiny bit of water is in the fuel. Seafoam makes you feel good but does very little. I run 87 octane with 10% ethanol and never have fuel issues with my equipment. Everyone “swears by” their own experience and methods and it is an ongoing topic of discussion.

If you have a Ferris zero turn, why would you even start a Cub Cadet and use it. Total apples to oranges. Once you use a zero turn there is no going back to a steering wheel.

If it is a simple 2 wire safety a jumper will work.

The remote brush cutters I have seen at Equipment Expo in Louisville, Kentucky were very expensive. Can’t imagine you get much more than a toy for under $2000.

Look at spindles from other deck and break out the tape measure. Measure height, bolt hole center to center, etc. Look for aftermarket spindles versus OEM and you will save lots of money.

Cannot see the water. Can you add food dye to water to make test more interesting?

Puking fuel is probably a valve related issue on this 5 hp flathead engine. Pull the breather cover and check your valve lash. Look for spec online and how to check valve clearance if any questions. You have to grind the valve stems down if adjusting is needed.

Check and clean all electrical connections. Check to be sure new battery is being charged. Check deck pulleys and spindles and belt for wear, etc.

Pull the kill wires on ignition coil and see if you get spark then. How do you get a reading of 198 psi on a compression test? How can 170 psi be the minimum compression reading? Seems really high for both readings.

Take the old rings after removing from the piston, push down into the cylinder with the piston to make even. Take your feeler gauge and determine gap. Repeat process with new rings. This will give you a comparison at least.

I have removed transaxle oil also with a Mityvac evacuator. You cannot get it all, unable to clean the screen filter, and it will probably/possibly help for a shorter term solution, provided it isn’t too far gone.

Tighten the bolt and proceed with the suggestions above.

Oregon brand is aftermarket. What makes you think you need a new pump and drive motor? How many hours on mower? What are the symptoms and problems the pump and wheel motor are exhibiting?

You have both steering arms, emergency brake, seat switch, and pto switch to have to check to be sure are working correctly. Look up details online on troubleshooting. Too much information to type here. Hope this helps.

Very good advice. Then, if everything is clear of debris buildup, having trouble backing up with a hydrostatic transaxle is often the beginning of the end.

Change the fuel filter, remove fuel line going to fuel tank and blow back into the tank with gas cap off, remove and clean the carburetor, make sure the fuel line is not getting to warm close to the engine and vapor locking. Before doing all this, remove the gas cap and run mower and see if it...

Need to do a leak down test to pinpoint the compression loss. Probably the valves are not seating correctly.

Watch some YouTube videos on removing and repairing hydro transaxles. Take pictures before and during repair. Remove all the bolts and split the case and have a looksy inside. Maybe the problem with be apparent especially if the unit just suddenly stopped working and your drive belt is fine.

2-4 ohms is the normal acceptable range for most PTO clutches. I have replaced 3 PTO clutches so far this year.

Dirty carburetor and or air intake leak.

Good suggestion. Loctite will not fill the void if plastic is stripped out. I have never tried this, but will remember it for the future. Have you ever tried zip ties for stripped out bolts going into aluminum or metal?

Jam nut and tack weld it if necessary.

A job like this can end up to be a very time consuming deal. Sounds like you will be removing engine and going back in deep. Chalk it up to be a great learning experience. Definitely do a leak down test, because excessive leaking from intake or exhaust valves sounds like a real possibility in...

Around 75 psi (give or take) is about the minimum for a 4-stroke small engine to start and run. Obviously, you have a compression release, or your gauge is inaccurate. Put a little oil into the cylinder and test it again. If the reading increases substantially, you have worn piston rings...

Pull the wire connected to the low oil sensor and check for spark. Put wire back on low oil sensor and check for spark.

Wrong size belt(s), and/or installed incorrectly.

If the engine is starting and running, you have considerably more than 65 psi compression. A healthy 4-stroke will have 110 to 160 psi. There has to be a compression release on camshaft. Try to find detailed engine specs online for compression readings on your bike. Better yet, if there are...

Or, you could just keep throwing parts at it. Buy new safety switches and replace. Plan B, take it to a shop. Don’t recommend throwing parts at it, but learning electrical troubleshooting for a single repair can be a daunting task.

Also, how does the exhaust fit, is the wiring a direct plug and play, throttle cable hook ups the same?

Sounds like seat safety switch to me, that you bypassed. Is it a two wire safety? You have two separate posts for the same issue…

I tighten and replace engine mounting bolts for customers several times each year. They never seem to realize the engine is loose.

Can you provide a picture please?

Many mowers have sealed bearings that have no zerk fittings. Whether it is on the spindles or wheel hubs. You can always drill and tap and add a fitting.

These auto chokes are a pain and a nuisance sometimes. Some take longer than others to open completely.

It is a trimmer, not an edger. Edger uses a hard blade. Anyway, did you use oil or assembly lubricant when installing rings and piston? Did you install the new rings correctly? Was there any significant scoring on piston and cylinder? What is the year of the trimmer?

I have learned this trick from online and it works. Remove choke butterfly and shaft. Take some sandpaper and carefully remove some material from plastic choke shaft until it moves freely. Will need to remove and install and sand until it is right. Of course only do this if lubricants don’t...

Star Tech- How much longer before you retire? How long have you worked on small engines? What percentage of your service and repair is gas versus battery?

Yep, leak down test is the next step. Hydraulic lifters, no hour meter, 19 year old engine. Both my leak down tester gauges broke. Guess I have to buy another one.

Remember that zero turn mowers for John Deere are just one product line. The big tractors, combines, etc. is where the real money is. Customers demanding lower price often puts pressure on companies to find ways to be profitable. Our standard of living is much higher than Mexico, thus the...

I am working on a similar engine. Kohler single CV15S on a John Deere. Has fuel and spark, and checked compression and only got 39 psi. Even with compression release on camshaft, that is really low. Mower ran for three weeks after customer bought it used and died while mowing. Unable to restart...

Do you run maximum tire pressure on your car tires? I hope not. It is the same for a mower. I usually put 14psi in front and 10 psi in back on riders, and 20 psi in front and 10-12 psi in rear on zero turns.

The fact is that Honda built such a great push and self-propelled mower, the mower lasts for many years, is very reliable, and the gross profit was not that great. The push for batteries was the nail in the coffin to quit making these Honda mowers. The best overall ATV is and always has been a...

Your biggest frustration should be with the seller who lied. Buyer beware. When I sell equipment I do a full tune up and repair any issues it has. I see and hear it all the time on Facebook or from customers about people selling equipment and either lie, or lie by omission by not disclosing...

Look at the condition of negative wire and the terminals. Are the connections tight and clean? The high pitched hum is the starter slowly being killed by too much resistance and possible voltage drop. Replace with the correct gauge wire after cleaning positive and negative terminals to...

It probably needs to be in neutral for it it have spark and crank over, without jumping the starter. What does cleaning the carburetor have to do with a no start/no spark issue? You need to get the shift linkage right and be able to shift it before going any farther.

Pulling the deck is not needed and adds time. I have a spring hook I use for many springs to remove and install.

You need to remove the tensioner spring on the deck. This spring tensions the tensioner pulley, which tightens the PTO belt.

You are talking about a two barrel Nikki carburetor and actually has slightly different size main jets. There is a Walbro carburetor on the mower I am working on. Usually it is a lean running condition that requires a carb clean. Running rich is a choke not opening correctly, float position...

How many hours on engine and year and model of engine? Good possibility the coils are weak and failing. I am working on a customer mower with Kohler Command right now exhibiting similar symptoms. Black, powdery spark plugs, running rich, occasional black smoke, low on power, idles poorly and...

My starter on my Scag with Kohler Command is howling. 1900 hours with OEM starter, and probably on its last legs.