Engine issues

[imratz]

I have a Bush Hog ZT2200 with the 22hp Kohler Command engine. The engine cuts out after running for awhile. It will backfire and then chug before stopping. I have it in the shop to fix the problem last year, but it's back and I can't get any mowing done. I have noticed that there is very little fuel in the fuel filter after this happens.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Todd

 

[Briana]

Hey there imratz! WELCOME to LawnMowerForum! :biggrin:

I moved your thread to the Small Engine & Mower Repair Forum. You'll get a better response there. :thumbsup:

 

[jeff]

Have you tried loosening the fuel cap? I suspect, based on your observations that the fuel cap may be the cause.

 

[drivingwithbooks]

Imratz, did you get the problem solved? I have the exact same problem and I've sunk over $300 in it to no avail. I've replaced both coils, spark plugs, fuel pump, fuel filter, fuel lines and changed the oil.

 

[DaveTN]

Imratz, did you get the problem solved? I have the exact same problem and I've sunk over $300 in it to no avail. I've replaced both coils, spark plugs, fuel pump, fuel filter, fuel lines and changed the oil.

Did you ever get this cutting out, backfiring and quitting problem solved? When they start right up and run a few minutes, you know the coils are good. The carburetor seems fine as well or it wouldn't run. I have seen a problem on other mowers both rider and push types where the kill switch intermittently grounds and cause a similar condition. Pull the kill wires on both coils and try it out. If it runs w/o problems then there's some sort of short in the wire from the coils to the key/switch. With fuel starvation, that could be vapor lock causing it, where the gas line gets too hot and vapor causes the fuel to stop flowing due to the gas pocket. Insulating the fuel lines could help some, keeping them away from the hot engine would help. I'd check the carburetor again for contamination and perhaps a fuel metering valve having a loose particle, maybe a tiny piece of plastic covering the fuel intake from time to time due to vibration knocking it about. Hope this helps some. DaveTN

 

[drivingwithbooks]

My problem was solved!

I want to put this on here because it seems no one ever does come back with a resolution once their problem is solved. If you read in my earlier post, my b/f changed any and everything we could think of on the mower that could be associated with the problem. Just last week someone told him that they removed their fuel tank and cleaned it out and it solved the problem. When he started to take the tank off yesterday, he unscrewed the fitting that held the feeder tube from the tank and pulled it out and it was completely clogged at the bottom of it with what had become a hardened wad of trash. We blew that line out with some air from the air compressor and cleaned out the gas tank. He put it all back together and I proceeded to mow for nearly 3 hours after that!!!!!

 

[DaveTN]

Re: My problem was solved!

I want to put this on here because it seems no one ever does come back with a resolution once their problem is solved. If you read in my earlier post, my b/f changed any and everything we could think of on the mower that could be associated with the problem. Just last week someone told him that they removed their fuel tank and cleaned it out and it solved the problem. When he started to take the tank off yesterday, he unscrewed the fitting that held the feeder tube from the tank and pulled it out and it was completely clogged at the bottom of it with what had become a hardened wad of trash. We blew that line out with some air from the air compressor and cleaned out the gas tank. He put it all back together and I proceeded to mow for nearly 3 hours after that!!!!!

THANKS for the positive feedback! We mechanics like to hear the follow ups on success or failure as it helps us to diagnose future problems hopefully with more efficiency and accuracy.