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Hello,

I received my Ariens mower delivery yesterday. It was the 52" Ikon X Zero Turn with the Kawasaki FR series motor.

This happened before work, so I quickly started it, let it idle and run for a few mins. I used fuel from a gas can that was probably two months old premium, and only used a small amount of it. Anyways it started up easily and worked great.

Then 8 hours later I came home and wanted to use it. It cranked but wouldn't start. I added fresh premium gas. Checked obvious connections under the seat and didn't see anything. The safety features seem to work. As in no cranking without being in the seat or having parking brake on, etc.

I put it on a battery tender overnight in case the battery was low.

This morning the same issue. Cranks but won't start. Nothing has changed since delivery on it, and I'm doing the same actions for the "Start engine" process.

What do I need to start checking before I have to load it on a trailer? Bad fuel maybe? Is there some electrical kill switch that could be activated?

Instead of typing a long list, this is easier, you can eliminate the obvious, being it's a new machine and you did have it running.

.. click to enlarge

Did you check to make sure that the fuel isn't shut off? Choke all the way out? Check and make sure the spark plug wires are pushed on tight?

Edit: Never mind...Boobala posted a more complete list I didn't see.

Darryl G said:

Did you check to make sure that the fuel isn't shut off? Choke all the way out? Check and make sure the spark plug wire are pushing on tight?

Edit: Never mind...Boobala posted a more complete list I didn't see.

Click to expand...

Didn't hurt a thing Darryl, 2 heads are better than 1 .....

Thanks for the list.

I didn't see a fuel shut off valve, nor does the manual list one. I'll check again when I get home.

Check for a spark
No spark = safety ( usually blades left turned on )
Spark = fuel

you did check the oil didn't you ?
Low oil = no spark.

Thanks everyone, got her to run last night.


Apparently my 5 year old decided to "help" and filled it with 2 cycle gas. She looked like a Model T when it finally turned over.

All's well, that end's well ........:thumbsup:

jjminch said:

Thanks everyone, got her to run last night.


Apparently my 5 year old decided to "help" and filled it with 2 cycle gas. She looked like a Model T when it finally turned over.

Click to expand...

Our son used to "help" his mom by filling all the half empty shampoo bottles with water.

Ronno6 said:

Our son used to "help" his mom by filling all the half empty shampoo bottles with water.

Click to expand...

It's so "wonderful" the way kid's learn to "help" .. ????

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DsKvctXmlGI

Glad to hear. In my experience with Kawi engines I've found them to be hard to start when it's cold out and that making sure the choke is closed all the way, and I mean 100% closed, helps a lot. I've had to resort to starter fluid with my Lazer in the late fall. Trying to run on mix gas probably doesn't help, but Kawi engines are notorious for being cold hearted. The FX691V on my Bob-Cat seems to be a lot better than my older ones. They really like a good fast crank to start when cold.

Good luck and maybe look into whether they sell a locking gas cap for your unit :laughing:

When we were running the delivery business we got 4 motorcycles from a person whose daughter had seen him pull the spark plugs and squirt some "black stuff" down each cylinder.
So she did the same every day for a month with the best :black stuff" she could make:- with manure & water

Putting 2-cycle gas in the tank should not have had that effect.

For starters, the engine would have to start and run for a while before any of the 2-cycle gas reached the combustion chambers.

Second, 50:1 gas doesn't have enough oil in it to have much, if any, effect on a 4-cycle engine.

Also, your engine sees no benefit from running premium gas instead of regular unleaded, preferably with no ethanol in it.

My uncle got on my dads rider mower in the early 70's..... It wont start he said........ My dad told me to get on the mower and start it. ....... So I did ..... Non'c said what you did ??? I pushed in on the brake... There is is a switch on it...... He gave me a silver 25 cent piece for being smart ~!~!~~!~!